What does it mean to be identified as Gifted and Talented in Douglas County School District?
If a student is identified as Gifted and Talented (GT), the GT Facilitator will update/create an ALP (Advanced Learning Plan). All students in Douglas County are given the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in 3rd and 5th grades, for the Mountain Vista feeder area, as a universal screen for intervention. If there is a need for a student to take the CogAT in another grade due to teacher recommendation or parent request, that is possible. Testing is solely for the purpose of possible GT identification. At this time, the CogAT is given each September.
What is an ALP?
An ALP is an Advanced Learning Plan. All students that are identified as GT have an ALP. The decision to create an ALP comes from an identification process where a team of teachers and interventionists looks at a body of evidence that includes many data points including CogAT, classroom work/assessments, other standardized measures, input from classroom teacher, parent(s), and the student.
What Does Gifted and Talented Look Like at Mountain Ridge Middle School?
We collaboratively create ALP plans for students that have gone through a GT identification process and qualify. The ALP is written by the GT Facilitator in collaboration with classroom teachers, students, and parents. The ALP formalizes the differentiation that the classroom teacher provides for the students in their identified area(s) as well as affective needs within the classroom setting.
At MRMS, we value and support depth and complexity of knowledge, not just what grade level concepts may be. All students in our building perform at their highest independent level and are differentiated for based on need. Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team collaborates to make the best determination of what that looks like year to year. Advanced Language Arts and Mathematics are available for GT students.
What is the GT facilitator Role?
Our role as GT facilitator is to coordinate CogAT testing with our school assessment coordinator, to collect data, to coordinate the identification process as well as to facilitate the writing of the ALP. We also support teachers in planning for differentiation and instruction to meet ALP students’ needs and goals. We collaborate with teachers in writing goals, gathering support materials, analyzing data and adjusting plans as needed.
