Gifted and Talented Education (GaTE)
Ch 104 (GaTE) Identification and Appeals Process
Academic Program Philosophy
RSU5 recognizes the special abilities and talents of gifted students that allow them to excel beyond their peers and perform at exceptional levels. Therefore, we will encourage, nurture, and provide for them in a manner that will develop their unique capabilities. Services will be based on a variety of instructional strategies. Individual needs will be met through flexible, challenging, and creative learning opportunities. The program will engage identified students in services designed to support their unique academic, social and emotional needs. The program philosophy complements the overall system philosophy, which strives to provide students with an education that will challenge minds, engage creativity, develop self-discipline, and advance inherent strengths..
Academic Services
Services for students in Ch104 (GaTE) will look different for each level and for individual students according to academic and social-emotional needs.
Grade K-2:
Students at the primary level have their needs met primarily through consultation, however there may be some pull-out groups as needed. Ch104 (GaTE) teachers also provide resources, materials, and lessons that are purposeful yet related to the classroom units of study.
Grades 3-5:
Students at the elementary level will receive services from the Ch104 (GaTE) teachers in the form of push-in lessons and/or pull-out groups. Services are provided in the student’s identified area(s) of need.
Grades 6-8:
Students at the middle school level have the above services, as well as the opportunity to take advanced courses in math, and participate in ELA extension projects.
Grades 9-12:
Students at the high school are on a consultation basis. Students may opt to meet with the Ch104 (GaTE) teacher to discuss course selection, other outside opportunities, and ways to advocate for their education. The Ch104 (GaTE) teacher is available for appointments via email. The Ch104 (GaTE) teacher also consults with guidance counselors to monitor student programming.
Arts Program Philosophy
The Arts program educates, informs, and involves students and the school community in meaningful, child-centered experiences that develop artistic behaviors, critical thinking, creative thinking, and production. Individual needs will be met through flexible, challenging, and creative learning opportunities. As with academics, Ch104 (GaTE) arts services are designed for 3-5% of the student population across both art and music.
Ch104 (GaTE) Music
In RSU5, we provide a myriad of opportunities for gifted and advanced musicians. Because of the wide variety of options available (vocal, instrumental, composition, ensemble, soloist, music theory/composition, etc.), we screen students separately for each individual advanced opportunity, as opposed to identifying students as “gifted” across the board in music. Advanced opportunities and enrichment may include participation in music festivals, solo opportunities, advanced instruction within band lessons, small vocal or instrumental ensembles, work with a guest musician, advanced music theory and/or composition coursework, etc.
Participation in these activities will be determined by the music teacher, using criteria that best matches the skills necessary to participate in the offering. This may include, but is not limited to, auditions, teacher recommendations, standardized music assessment results such as the Gordon Audiation test, or other screening criteria. Communication about advanced music opportunities will come from the music teacher, not the Ch104 (GaTE) teacher.
Ch104 (GaTE) Art
We employ a range of tools and methods to identify Ch104 (GaTE) art students, including teacher recommendations, artistic screening projects, the Torrance Test of Creativity, and samples of student work. A district-wide committee of art teachers reviews this information to recommend students for identification.
Services for Ch104 (GaTE) art students are tailored to their grade level and individual artistic and developmental needs. Identified students will receive support through consultation and differentiated instruction within the regular classroom. Art teachers will design classrooms that are enriched, challenging, and differentiated to meet the needs of artistically gifted students. Additionally, opportunities for enrichment activities will be provided.