Gifted & Talented
Gifted & Talented
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- Arkansas Department of Education - Gifted
- AGATE - Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education
- NAGC - National Association for Gifted Children
- Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA)
- ASMSA-Talent Identification Program
- Advanced Placement Central
- Quiz Bowl - AGQBA
- Arkansas Governor's School
- National History Day
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- UA Little Rock
- ASU Jonesboro
- University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
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Referrals for Gifted and Talented are sought from a wide variety of sources to ensure that all potentially gifted and talented students have an opportunity to be considered. Parents, staff, and community members may refer a student at anytime.
When a student is tested for GT, data is collected from teacher recommendations, observational data collected from whole group enrichment, parent recommendations, testing scores, grades, and 2 subjective and 2 objective tests. No single criterion or cut-off score is used to include or exclude a student.
Placement is decided by a placement committee (minimum of 5 members; Building Principal, Building Counselor, and at least 3 teachers). If the decision is that the student will be placed, a letter is sent home for the parent’s permission. If a student is not placed, a letter is sent home notifying the parents of the committee’s decision and also to inform them that the student can be re-evaluated in the future.
The GT Program will be evaluated each year and the results will be posted here for all stakeholders. -
Students will provide input on topics they are interested in to help tailor our curriculum to meet their interest and/or needs.
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K-2 is services through whole group enrichment where an approved teacher of the gifted works with the classroom teacher to design enrichment curriculum for the whole class.
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Grades 3-6 will be pulled for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. The lessons are extensions and activities that correlate with the Wit and
Wisdom Literacy Curriculum and the Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum. We incorporate STEAM lessons and activities, Coding, Robotics, Quiz Bowl, and personal interest projects. The units of study will consist of the following: 3rd grade-The Sea, Space, Immigration, Artist, 4th grade- Great Hearts- Biologically and Human Emotion, Extreme Environments, American Revolution, Mythology, 5th grade-Cultures, Word Play, Effects of War, Breaking Barriers, 6th grade-Great Depression, Heroes, Narrating and Courage in Crisis.
Lessons vary and are based on topics not typically covered in the regular classroom as well as student interest/choice. Process skills of critical thinking (analysis, evaluation, and synthesis), creative thinking (fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration), independent investigation, group collaboration, communication, and personal development are emphasized. -
7-12 Junior HIgh and High School GT students grades 7-12 will be served through content, process, and products are differentiated based on specialized training for honors, pre-AP and AP teachers, and in the case of AP classes, a College Board approved AP syllabus. Students choose the honors, pre-AP, Concurrent Credit and/or AP courses that best suit their needs, strengths, and interests. Students will meet with the College and Career Readiness Counselor for lessons that are based on the individual needs of the students and mainly focuses on student success plans, which will include High School course offerings, prep for ACT, college visits, college applications, resumes, career interests, internships, etc.
Process skills of self-reflection, self-awareness, and risk-taking are emphasized. Products are typically in the form of high school activity/leadership documents and student applications for leadership, summer classes, college, and scholarships.
What is National Merit?
To qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students must take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year of high school, be enrolled in high school, and plan to enroll in college full-time the following fall. Qualifying involves scoring within the top 1% of students in their state on the PSAT/NMSQT. High-scoring students are then recognized as either Semifinalists or Commended Students. Semifinalists must complete a more detailed application, including an essay, and demonstrate high academic achievement to advance to Finalist standing and potentially receive a scholarship.
National Merit Key Steps and Requirements:
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT: Students must take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year of high school.
- Meet Entry Requirements: Students must be enrolled in high school and plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program the following fall.
- Top 1% Score: Qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Program requires scoring within the top 1% of test-takers in their state on the PSAT/NMSQT.
- Semifinalist/Commended: Students meeting the score requirement are recognized as either Semifinalists or Commended Students.
- Semifinalist Application: Semifinalists must complete a more comprehensive application, including an essay and demonstrating continued high academic performance, to advance to the Finalist stage.
- Finalist and Scholarship: Finalists are considered for National Merit Scholarships, awarded based on the completed application, academic record, essay, and other factors.
Quiz Bowl
Information
- We will have 3 Quiz Bowl teams this year: middle school, junior high, and high school. The top quiz bowl students for each division will be chosen to compete at tournaments.
Coaches
- Mark Wollard | Junior High School
- Bobby Dotson | High School & Middle School
Parent Advisory Council
The Parent Advisory Council is in place to help with evaluations and suggestions for the GT program. We will meet once in the fall and once in the spring. If you are interested please contact Amber Harrison, GT Coordinator at aharrison@pearidgek12.com.