Gifted Lead Teacher
Paula Poss
Gifted and Talented Program:
Students in Kindergarten through fifth-grade who are identified as gifted are served within a cluster group setting by a gifted certified teacher. Other enrichment and leadership opportunities outside the homeroom may also be offered throughout the year.
Program Goals:
• To identify gifted students of all grade levels using a variety of means which recognize all forms of exceptionality
• To use information gained during the assessment process to identify specific areas of strength and interest
• To provide instructional opportunities in those areas of strength and interest revealed during the assessment process
Curriculum Goals:
Our gifted curriculum will provide opportunities for identified
students to: ➢ achieve proficiency in areas and disciplines of the
prescribed district gifted curriculum; ➢ excel in areas of individual
interest or study, develop creative products, and share results of
these studies with the appropriate audiences;
➢ learn to make
informed decisions and integrate processes of thinking to resolve issues
both cooperatively and independently;
➢ demonstrate personal
growth through the development of positive attitudes, leadership skills,
and community and cultural involvement;
➢ develop skills to become an effective communicator using various forms of media; and
➢ develop self-awareness in order to learn to cope with their
weaknesses, to explore and appreciate their strengths, and to see
oneself as acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a gifted student?
A gifted student is one who demonstrates a high degree of
intellectual, creative and/or artistic ability(ies), possesses
exceptional leadership skills, or excels in specific academic fields and
who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to
achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.
How do students qualify for Gifted?
The "Multiple Criteria Rule" mandates that information be gathered in
each of four categories: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and
motivation. A student must meet criteria in any three of the four
categories to qualify for gifted program placement, with at least one of
the criteria being met by a score on a nationally-normed test. Any test
score used to establish eligibility should be current within two years.
What tests are used to qualify students for Gifted?
The following tests or checklists are used in Dawson County for the purpose of evaluating students for the gifted program:
Mental ability - CogAt - Cognitive Abilities Test
Achievement - SAT9 - Stanford Achievement Test or ITBS - Iowa Test of Basic Skills or MAP Test
Creativity - TTCT - Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (Figural Edition)
Motivation - Renzulli/Hartman Motivation Behavioral Checklist (K-4) or Product/Performance
When are students tested for Gifted?
Dawson County students are tested during the months of February and March.
What should I do if I want to refer my child for gifted testing?
Contact your child's homeroom teacher or Paula Poss, Gifted Lead
Teacher, to receive the Parent Referral forms. These forms must be
turned in by mid-January. As in any evaluation process, you will be asked
to give permission for the evaluation to take place.