Maine law requires school districts to establish educational programs for gifted and talented children. Chapter 104 defines gifted and talented children as those in "grades K-12 who excel, or have the potential to excel, beyond their age peers, in the regular school program, to the extent that they need and can benefit from programs for the gifted and talented." Students can be identified in the following areas: general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude in one or more area(s), and artistic ability in literary, performing, and/or visual arts. Chapter 104 designates that approximately 5% of the school population be identified as gifted. Each school district, with approval from the Maine Department of Education, establishes a process for the identification of gifted and talented children including a minimum of three assessment methods, including objective and subjective methods. A team of qualified professionals determines eligibility, placement, and oversees an annual review of the selection process.
District Gifted and Talented Services are based on core beliefs and shared visions with respect to the nature and needs of students within our schools who have gifts and talents. These beliefs hold within them guiding principles with respect to the design of a program that is to meet students' unique and individual needs. These belief statements and guiding principles are:
Gifted and talented services will exist for students in kindergarten through grade 12 that are cohesive and supportive of an attitude of life-long learning.
Gifted and talented services will be multifaceted—there will not be a one-size-fits-all system.
Gifted and talented services will be permeable, that is students are not locked in or locked out. There will be a flow in and out of services based on student needs presented.
Services for gifted and talented students require differentiation of curriculum.
Gifted and talented services are linked to Maine’s guiding principles that include the ability to be: a clear and effective communicator; a self-directed and lifelong learner; a creative and practical problem solver; a collaborative and quality worker; and an integrative, informed thinker.
Gifted and talented services will support the student’s developing concept of self as a person as well as a gifted individual who is a member of the school and community.
Gifted and talented services will foster well-rounded, self-directed persons with the abilities to set goals and develop a plan of how to meet the goals, demonstrating self-disciplined learning.
RSU 35's Gifted and Talented Services are provided under the provisions of the Maine DOE's Chapter 104.
Our gifted education specialists evaluate the needs of our learners and develop individualized plans based on those needs, whether academic or social-emotional. We aim to ensure that every child has access to educational opportunities that lead to at least one year of growth per academic year.
Tiered services are provided through classroom-based interventions, supplemental and differentiated supports, and extended learning opportunities. Services are frequently evaluated and are flexible based on emerging student needs.
As part of the district's core values and strategic plan, universal screening, an equity-based practice, began in the 2021-2022 academic year. Universal screening creates a baseline of data for all RSU 35 students. We screen all 3rd and 7th graders using the short CogAT screener, which includes exercises in verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative reasoning skills. Universal screening supports gifted education specialists in developing a talent pool of students who may need further support services testing.