Gifted and
Talented Education
Arp High School
Quality of Services Provided
1.
Description of the program
Purpose of the program
The purpose of the Arp High School G/T program is to
allow the gifted student to demonstrate skills in self-directed learning,
thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of
innovative products and performances that are advanced in relation to students
of similar age, experience, or environment and reflect individuality and
creativity. High school graduates who
have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products
and performances of professional quality.
Current Funding
When Implemented
The G/T program was implemented at the high school
level in the 1999-2000 school year as an interdisciplinary studies
program. It was revised for the
2000-2001 school year to provide G/T services in the classroom for those
students in all core areas.
Number
of Students Served
Currently, 37 students are being
served in grades 9-12.
Student Identification
Process
Parents, teachers, counselors, students, community
members, or administrators may nominate students.
An identification committee will request that a
classroom teacher for each nominee complete the "Scale for the Rating of
Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students". Additional mental abilities test measures
will be administered as needed.
Criterion Reference or Norm Reference tests will be administered to
nominees. The project staff will
administer writing samples to nominees, which is a written paragraph, which is
scored holistically by two teachers.
Parents of nominees will complete an Inventory of Behavioral
Characteristics. An identification
matrix will be utilized to record assessment data for each nominee. Point values are assigned according to
student performance on objective and subjective assessments. All criteria are assigned equal weight. The scores obtained on each criteria are
added for a composite total.
The Identification Committee reviews the rank list
and determines those students who qualify for the program.
Parent permission will be obtained for students to
participate.
Students selected will sign a student agreement
form.
Parents not agreeing with the decision of the
committee may appeal the decision.
G/T transfer students will be screened, utilizing
the identification process.
When and How Served
As stated previously, students are served in their
regular classrooms on a daily basis.
How the
curriculum and instructional delivery methods are differentiated for gifted and
talented students.
Content presented is related to broad-based issues,
themes, or problems. Allowance is given
for in-depth learning of a self-selected topic within the core area of
study. The students develop independent
or self-directed study skill, productive, complex, abstract and/or higher
thinking skills. They will also focus on open-ended tasks, research skills and
methods.
The program is designed to encourage the development
of products that challenge existing ideas and produce "new" ideas, to
encourage the development of self-understanding, and to evaluate student
outcomes by using appropriate and specific criteria through self-appraisal,
criterion referenced, and/or standardized instruments.
Curriculum alignment and array of learning
opportunities leading to professional quality performances/products.
At all levels the following areas of curriculum are
addressed:
1. Present
content that is related to broad-based themes, or problems.
2. Integrate multiple disciplines into the area
of study
3. Develop independent or self-directed study
skills
4. Develop research skills and methods
5. Develop
productive, complex, abstract and/or higher level thinking skills
6.
Integrated basic skills and higher level thinking skills into the
curriculum
7.
Develop
the refine technology skills
Staff training/development
All staff members have had some G/T training
provided to them through our district or Region VII Service Center. Twelve staff members have 30+ hours in the
area of G/T.
Opportunities
Professional staff development and coordination with
other programs and funding sources Arp High School provides the following
opportunities for students to further develop their talents through:
1.
UIL
Competition
2.
Advanced
Placement
3.
Drama/
One-Act-Play
4.
Agriculture
5.
Who's
Who Among American High School Students
6.
Honor
Roll
7.
National
Honor Society
8.
Athletic
Awards
9.
Academic
Awards
10.
Distance
Learning--TJC and RTDC
11.
Technology
Mentorships
12.
DECA
Information provided to parents
Communication with parents is provided through the
student handbook, which is distributed at the beginning of each school year,
district web site, brochures, and letters, which notify parents of student
nominees.
2.
What evaluations, in
addition to TAAS, are conducted to measure impact of the program on student
performance?
At all levels, teacher observation serves as an
evaluation method for the G/T program as well as parent and student surveys.
Plans to include a teacher survey are being made. These will provide valuable input into the success of the
program. TAAS scores are used to
measure student performance. Areas of
cooperation in-group situations, quality of work and independence are observed
in the classroom. At higher-grade
levels, success in advanced classes and AP tests will also measure student
growth.
3.
Results of evaluations
Parent, teacher, and student surveys will be used to
provide information used to refine and improve the G/T program.