Continuum of Services

Our Gifted and Talented (G&T) Program identifies students who demonstrate exceptional abilities in one or more content areas compared to their peers. Aligned with New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:8-3.1, our program focuses on providing an engaging, challenging, and enriching educational environment for these students, helping them achieve continuous academic progress.

We have recently modified our criteria to be the least restrictive, ensuring that our program is inclusive of twice-exceptional (students who are both gifted and have a disability) and Multilingual Learners (MLL). This ensures that all students, regardless of their unique challenges, have access to opportunities that support their giftedness while addressing their specific needs. 

Students in the G&T Program will experience modifications to their classroom instruction and participate in pull-out instruction with the G&T teacher. They will be encouraged to think critically, collaborate, and demonstrate creativity in a variety of project-based learning activities.

Grades K-5: Continuum of Services

Kindergarten - Grade 1

• Instructional Modifications: Classroom teachers will make modifications to the regular curriculum to provide appropriate challenges for identified students.

• Focus Areas: Emphasis on differentiated learning experiences within the classroom, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

Grades 2-5

• Pull-Out Instruction: Identified students will be pulled out from their regular classroom twice per week for enrichment activities with the G&T teacher.

  • Class Duration: Approximately 40 minutes per session.

• Instructional Modifications: In addition to pull-out sessions, classroom teachers will continue to provide differentiated instruction to meet the needs of G&T students, including those who are twice-exceptional or MLL. 

• Focus Areas: Emphasis on core academic areas such as College and Career Readiness, Language Arts, STEM, and Social Studies.

• Skills Developed: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking.

Grades 6-8: Continuum of Services

• Pull-Out Instruction: Students in Grades 6-8 will receive pull-out instruction twice per week, with a focus on higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

  • Class Duration: Approximately 40 minutes per session.

• Instructional Modifications: Classroom teachers will modify their instructional practices to challenge G&T students within the regular curriculum, with additional support and adjustments for twice-exceptional and MLL students. 

• Focus Areas: G&T students will engage in rigorous, project-based learning that extends beyond the grade-level curriculum. They will work on cross-disciplinary projects in areas such as STEM, Language Arts, Social Studies, and College and Career Readiness.

• Skills Developed: Advanced critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills. Students will also use 21st-century learning skills—Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking—to complete challenging assignments and projects.

Grades 9-12: Continuum of Services

• Classroom Modifications: For students in Grades 9-12, instructional modifications are made within their regular classes to meet the needs of G&T students, including those who are twice-exceptional and MLL.

• Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Courses: Students also have access to Advanced Placement and Honors courses to further challenge their academic abilities and pursue rigorous coursework in various subject areas.

• Focus Areas: Students are encouraged to explore advanced studies in fields such as College and Career Readiness, STEM, Language Arts, and Social Studies, with opportunities for project-based learning and independent study.

• Skills Developed: Preparation for college and career pathways, along with continued development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Program Highlights

• Multiple Intelligences Approach: Our G&T Program incorporates Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, allowing students to demonstrate their giftedness through their preferred learning modalities.

• Enrichment Projects: Project-based learning, including annual challenges and opportunities for students to think “outside of the box” and apply their learning to real-world scenarios.

• 21st-Century Skills: Students will develop key skills in Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking throughout the program.

For more information about our Gifted and Talented Program, please contact the G&T Supervisor at lindsay.conneely@twpunionschools.org.