L.E.A.P (Gifted and Talented)
PHILOSOPHY
Bellmawr Public Schools believes in developing the academic, physical, emotional, and social needs of all students through equitable educational opportunities and positive learning environments. As such, it is our belief that students who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment have learning needs which require differentiated learning experiences. The school district is committed to providing meaningful programming, services and differentiated curriculum that will allow gifted students to reach their full potential. These learning experiences prepare students to become productive citizens in a rapidly changing and complex global society by emphasizing:
higher level thinking processes,
development of social-emotional skills,
research and communication skills,
utilization of technology,
creativity,
and interaction with their intellectual peers.
National Association for Gifted Children’s What is Giftedness
PROGRAM GOALS
Provide a variety of differentiation, enrichment opportunities, and challenging learning experiences in grades K-8 based on student interests and needs.
Provide a learning environment that promotes opportunities for exploration, problem solving, tinkering, trial and error, and risk-taking as students construct new knowledge through product creation.
Design, develop, and implement high quality, research-based curricula appropriate for gifted learners that extend the general classroom curricula.
Routinely assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the gifted and talented program at addressing the needs of learners.
Serve as a resource and provide education on giftedness and best practices in gifted education for staff and the community.
IDENTIFICATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
The screening process for development of the student talent pool is conducted annually in the Spring of each school year beginning in mid-April. The purpose of the screening process is to build a portrait of students that identifies strengths and needs which will guide an Advanced Learning Plan. Open nominations by parents and teachers occur during the last two weeks of April. After administration of the end-of-year assessments, teachers of the gifted program will conduct a review of data. All students in the talent pool will then be administered the SAGES 3. The Gifted Program Identification Rubric will then be used by applying multiple measures for each nominated student. Two screening periods will be conducted annually in October and January for students new to the district.
Identification Process Flowchart
APPEALS PROCESS
Parents/Guardians that have questions or concerns regarding the ineligibility of their child in the Bellmawr School District L.E.A.P. program for Gifted and Talented students should first contact their building’s L.E.A.P. teacher to request a meeting to review data and documentation. Students that are determined to be found ineligible are monitored for possible future identification.
Complaint about Non-Compliance with Gifted and Talented Education
Please click the following link to access more information.
Please follow the link below for our policy guide:
2464-Gifted and Talented Students Policy Guide
For More Information, Please visit...
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). (2021). https://www.nagc.org/
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC). (2021). https://www.njagc.org/
Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act. (2020). (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 through N.J.S.A. 18A:35-39)