Criteria for Consideration

At the elementary grade levels, assessment measures for gifted and talented include foundational literacy assessments, reading benchmarks, mathematics screeners, state testing scores, report card indicators, educator recommendations, and educator rating scales. At the middle school level, assessment measures include state testing scores, mathematics screeners, ELA screeners, mathematics placement exams, report card indicators, educator recommendations, educator rating scales, and the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. These data points are evaluated by administrators at the start of each school year between the months of July through October, depending on the data element and grade level. Data is reevaluated throughout the year based on educator recommendations for gifted and talented services. All students, including those receiving special education services or 504 accommodations and those identified as Multilingual Learners, are considered in making determinations regarding gifted and talented/twice-exceptional status. Once a student is identified as being gifted and talented/twice-exceptional, the parents/guardians of that student are notified of the identified strengths and instructional modifications that will be provided. District Board of Education Policy 2464 outlines the process for identifying students as gifted and talented, as well as the types of services that may be provided.  

Continuum of Services Provided

K-5

Students identified as gifted and/or twice-exceptional are provided with instructional modifications in order to support and encourage student learning beyond the grade-level standards. Such modifications include:

• alternative lesson structures,

• peer and independent learning experiences and enrichment,

• small-group instruction on higher-level concepts, and

• scaffolded activities moving beyond grade-level standards.

Upon identification as gifted and/or twice-exceptional, educators and administrators collaborate on developing an individualized strategy plan for each student. For cases in which the needs of the student are beyond the typical giftedness interventions provided at each grade level, the student is referred to the G&T Committee. During this meeting, the committee reflects on the student’s current skill levels and capabilities. The team then develops a portfolio of strategies, activities, and resources specifically aligned to that child’s individual needs.

Students in grades three through five who are identified as gifted and/or twice-exceptional are also encouraged to participate in Dorchester’s Passion Project, which supports students in pursuing their individual interests and areas of giftedness across curricular areas through a project-based approach focusing on innovation and creativity. Further, the district provides students with opportunities to participate in academic competitions, such as the National Spelling Bee, and afterschool programs that pique their interests, such as Battle of the Books, Newspaper Club, and Brain Teasers Club.

6-8

Across all grade levels, kindergarten through grade eight, students identified as gifted and/or twice-exceptional are provided with instructional modifications in order to support and encourage student learning beyond the grade-level standards. Such modifications include:

• alternative lesson structures,

• peer and independent learning experiences and enrichment,

• small-group instruction on higher-level concepts, and

• scaffolded activities moving beyond grade-level standards.

In grades six through eight, students who are identified as gifted and/or twice-exceptional through the OLSAT screener are invited to participate in the middle school Gifted and Talented course, facilitated by a certified gifted and talented teacher. Students identified as being gifted in mathematics are provided with the opportunity to enroll in higher-level math courses.

Educational support personnel are provided in instances in which students identified as twice-exceptional require such support in order to participate in the aforementioned gifted programs. The district also provides students with opportunities to participate in academic competitions, such as the MATHCOUNTS and the National Spelling Bee, and afterschool programs that pique their interests, such as the Robotics Club, Battle of the Books, TREP$, Stock Market Club, STEM Open House, and Art After Hours.