Starmont Extended Learning Program (ELP) For Gifted and Talented
Definition: Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude or competence in one or more domains. Domains include mathematics, music, language, painting, dance & sports.
1. General intellectual ability.
2. Creative thinking.
3. Leadership ability.
4. Visual and performing arts ability.
5. Specific ability aptitude.
Through teacher/parent observation & input, as well as the use of classroom assessments, Starmont looks at students who demonstrate exceptional ability in one or more subject areas. All parties working with students determine the appropriate action for the student’s progress and growth. Students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade are pulled out of the classroom for ELP during intervention time to do creative and critical thinking activities. Kindergarten through third grade calls this pull out time talent development. Once Students are in third grade they are given the CogAT test which is a cognitive ability test, along with other data collected over the years to confirm or not confirm that students are gifted.
During the third grade, sixth grade & ninth grade we give formal assessments, CogAT (A cognitive ability test that needs to be a score of 115 or higher), Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (95% +), and FAST (above grade level or 95%)+, as well as any other assessments the classrooms use. Starmont looks for students who are consistently scoring advanced in one or more subjects, as well as their classroom performance. Teacher/parent observation & input, and the ELP coordinator input are used to formally identify students. Once the student is identified a letter is sent home informing the families of their child’s formal entrance to the ELP program.
During PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities) students’ needs are being addressed at each grade level. Discussions take place in the PLC meetings on strategies for advancing these students and keeping track of their progress.
At the secondary level students are reassessed in sixth and ninth grade. An acceleration policy is in place for processing students. The ELP coordinator goes to the Building Leadership Team meetings and works with the parents, students, teachers, and the counselor to determine schedules and appropriate classes for the identified students when requested. There are opportunities for these students to have extended programming such as STEM or other opportunities. Students have the opportunity to accelerate by subject or to move onto the next grade level, take online courses or college credit with a scheduled meeting with all parties involved to determine the best course of action.
Once a student has been identified they will always be identified until they graduate or the parent and student would like to exit the ELP program. Once a student exits the program they will not be allowed to return. This means they will lose any funding available to them, the ability to accelerate, and field-trip opportunities.