Coventry Public Schools follows the guidelines established by the Connecticut State Department of Education for the identification of gifted and talented students. Joseph S. Renzulli, Director of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented out of University of Connecticut, has summarized research which states the best practices for identification of gifted and/or talented students and includes analysis of three areas: above average ability, task commitment and creativity.

The identification process looks for students who have above-average ability, show creativity, and have high motivation and task commitment. When those three elements combine, gifted behaviors tend to exhibit themselves.

Identification Measures

• NWEA - MAP Math & Reading Assessment
• Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT)
• Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS)
• Creativity and Task Commitment Rubrics (based on Renzulli practices)
• Teacher Rating Scale
• Parent Rating Scale
• Academic Achievement
• Student Work

The screening process for students that may qualify for gifted and/or talented identification takes place during third grade in Coventry. The three areas that are considered for the identification process are above average academics, creativity and task commitment/leadership. Our process is as follows:

STEP 1: OLSAT Administered

• In the fall of each school year the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) is administered to all 3rd graders.
• The screening pool is determined based on the top 10% of the OLSAT results combined with 2nd grade MAPS scores and 2nd grade teacher recommendations.

STEP 2: Parent Communication

• Phone call and letter sent home to explain the screening process.
• Parental Consent

STEP 3: Data Collection

• Parents: Renzulli Checklist and Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS)
• Classroom Teachers: SIGS and Recommendation for Screening Paperwork
• Challenge & Enrichment Teacher: Evaluation Summary

STEP 4: Screening Process

• Challenge & Enrichment teacher collects data as stated above.
• Pull the screening group one time per week for up to five weeks.
  • Administer activities to collect data in the areas of above academic ability, creativity and task commitment/leadership.
• Utilize creativity and task commitment rubrics as well as collect anecdotal evidence for each of the areas above.
• Evaluate data to determine eligibility for a gifted and/or talented identification.

STEP 5: Parent Communication

• Parent phone call to determine next steps in the evaluation process.

STEP 6: Identification

• Once a child has been identified as gifted and/or talented, they will participate in a pull-out Challenge & Enrichment class for an hour once per week.

The current definition, which is located in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is:

Students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities.”

AS TAKEN FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GIFTED CHILDREN

What’s the difference between a Bright Child versus a Gifted Learner?

Coventry Grammar School (CGS)

• 1st Grade
  • Push-In Engineering unit for all classrooms.
• 2nd Grade
  • Push-In “Project Lead the Way” computer programming unit for all classrooms.

G.H. Robertson School (GHR)

• 3rd Grade
  • Identification Process for potential gifted and/or talented students.
  • Push-In STEM Lessons - various times throughout the school year.
• 3rd through 5th Grade
  • Gifted and/or talented Challenge & Enrichment classes based on identification process.
    • 1 time per week.
  • Math Maniacs - based on test data and teacher recommendation
    • 1 time per week per session.
• 4th through 5th Grade
  • Interest Groups based on student interest & teacher recommendation.
    • 1 time per week per session.

Capt. Nathan Hale School (CNH)

• TRANSITION from 5th to 6th Grade
  • Math will be evaluated by our K-12 Math Specialist to determine eligibility for advancement in the math curriculum at CNH.
  • The CEP Teacher at GHR will make recommendations for FPS participation at CNH.
    • These students will be scheduled into the CEP class.
  • If FPS is not recommended, students that have been identified have the opportunity to work with the CEP Teacher at CNH through a small interest group as a pull out.
  • The CEP teacher at CNH will be in contact with these students at the beginning of the school year.
• 6th Grade
  • Students that have been selected through processes at GHR are scheduled in a CEP class.
    • Full-year program - four times/wk.
    • The primary curriculum for this class is The Future Problem Solvers Program (FPS).
    • Students will not participate in Digital Citizenship, Developmental Guidance, STEM, or Chinese if scheduled in this class.
  • Students that are identified as gifted and/or talented but not scheduled in this CEP class will participate in individual interest projects one to two times per week as a pull-out.
• 7th & 8th Grade
  • Students participating in the FPS Program are scheduled in a class four times per week.
    • This is considered their “Writing” class for ELA.
    • Students will be scheduled for 4-blocks of ELA instead of 8-blocks.
  • Students that are identified as gifted and/or talented but not scheduled in the FPS class will participate in individual interest projects one or two times per week as a pull-out.

Coventry High School (CHS)

• 9th through 12th Grade
  • Many advanced courses are available through the high school curriculum. Advanced Placement classes, Early College Education courses, dual enrollment classes, and other rigorous opportunities offer several ways for students to choose their path of continual development.
  • Future Problem Solvers is also an option for students that want to continue these real-world problem solving skills.

4th Grade

• CEP Curriculum Unit in Fall
• Interest Group in Spring with non-identified students

5th Grade

• CEP Curriculum Unit in Fall
• Interest Survey delivered in December re: FPS
  • Parents that have children that showed interest in FPS through this survey will be invited to our FPS night toward the end of Jan.
• FPS Night - end of January (Jan. 18th)
  • 4th & 5th grade CEP students invited
  • Other interested 5th graders & parents to learn more
• Interest Group in Spring
  • CEP Students with high interest & other non-identified interested/sign up sheet
  • Co-taught with Laura
  • Writing Assessment for evaluation regarding FPS @ CNH

6th Grade

• Recommended students scheduled into G-Block rotation
  • Full-year program - 4) times/wk
  • Students will not participate in Digital Citizenship, Developmental Guidance, STEM, or Chinese
• Students interested in joining the program admitted to participate in individual components as space allows

7th & 8th Grade

• Students in the FPS program are scheduled 4) times/wk
  • This class is considered their “Writing” class for ELA
  • Which means students will only be scheduled for 4-blocks of ELA instead of 8-blocks

9th-12th Grade

• Students are encouraged to participate in high school and can compete in any component.
• Teams are formed by students that are interested

CT Association of the Gifted

CAG is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization whose membership of parents and educators work to promote the welfare and appropriate education for gifted and talented students.

All Things Gifted

The all-things-gifted site includes resources, articles, books, and links to help and support parents, teachers, and gifted children alike. It is a great site to explore.

Neag Center for Gifted & Talented

The University of Connecticut has a Gifted Education and Talent Development Center that researches ways to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented children.

National Association for Gifted Children

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has links for educators, students, and families. Click on the site's Teaching for High Potential for great articles and resources.

Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted

SENG's mission is to empower families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.