Gifted and Talented

SOMERSET INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Mrs. Tammy Perkins,

Gifted and Talented Coordinator/Instructor

Welcome to the SISD Gifted and Talented Program webpage! At Somerset Independent Schools, the general education teachers and visual/performing arts teachers consult with the GT Coordinator/Instructor to challenge students in their areas of giftedness. We work together to provide opportunities for gifted students and students with potential for giftedness to think critically and creatively, to problem solve, and to be intellectual risk-takers. We strive to foster academic, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative growth.

Areas of Identification for Gifted and Talented students are Creativity, General Intellectual Ability, Leadership, Specific Academic Aptitude (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies), and Visual/Performing Arts (Music, Art, Dance and Drama). Information regarding specific requirements for each area can be found on the "Gifted Areas of Identification" page.

Formal GT testing is conducted during the Spring semester of 3rd grade and completed during the Fall semester of 4th grade. After 4th grade students are identified through:

Test Scores
Teacher Checklist of Skills
Teacher Recommendations
Parent Recommendations (Please contact the GT office to discuss referring your child, as individual gifted areas require different forms of documentation.)
Work Samples
Observation Forms
Anecdotal Records
Portfolios
Auditions

Several service options are available to meet the unique needs of our gifted learners, however, not all service options are appropriate for all gifted students. While all gifted students are serviced through consultation and differentiation, parents, administrators, teachers, and students are consulted when other service options are available and/or appropriate. Available service options include, but are not limited to:

Consultation: The GT Coordinator/Instructor consults with the teachers to provide support and resources for gifted learners in general education classrooms.
Differentiation: Instruction, lessons, activities, assessments, or authentic products are personalized to challenge the strengths of gifted learners.
Subject Acceleration: Gifted learners may be accelerated one or more grade levels in a subject area.
Independent Study: Gifted learners research a topic of interest and create an original product at the teacher's and GT Coordinator's discretion.

While we challenge gifted learners in their areas of strengths, we also provide support for any academic or social-emotional deficiencies. Differentiation of instruction occurs daily in the general education classrooms to meet the varied needs of students. Progress reports are sent once each semester on mid-term and end-of-year grade cards.

Please direct any questions or concerns to: Tammy Perkins at tammy.perkins@somerset.kyschools.us or the GT office located in Room 300 at Somerset High School.