How Can A Student Be Identified as Gifted & Talented?
Identification Process The South O’Brien Community School District identifies students for Gifted and Talented services in grades K-12. Honoring students K-2nd with the High Ability Learners (HALS) pull out program, and students 3rd-8th with grade level problem based learning (PBL) also done in a classroom pull out setting. Students in grades 9-12 have the ability to use the TAG Coordinator as an adviser for learning, as well as academic scheduling and course choices. SOS also provides grade acceleration in math, and offers courses for college credit through colleges such as NCC and WITT.
Who can nominate a student for GT services? Teachers, Parents, and Community Members may choose to nominate a student or students whose performance will then be tested and scored by Mrs. Mews. Students nominated in specific areas of academics will be given the Cognitive Abilities Exam followed by a review of their IA Assessment scores in math and reading. All scores will then be placed with in an Academic Matrix. Students nominated via the Fine Arts will be given the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) and will also be required to submit a portfolio of at least 5 works. The artwork's will then be scored using an Art Elements and Principles Matrix. Finally students nominated for leadership will be asked to document and showcase using artifacts at least 5 different areas of leadership. These will be scored using a matrix based on leadership.
When nominating students please consider the following... Nominees should be students, who are hard-working, self-motivated and are scoring within the 85th percentile or above on their Iowa Assessments, or are High Achieving in any one area. These students are Creative, Innovative Thinkers who develop out of the box solutions to average everyday problems, and go beyond the requirements of their general education classroom.