Young-Eun Son

Jessica Ballinger

Psychology and Education of the Gifted

Learner

Fall 2009

Goals of Newport News

Gifted and Talented students should be able to receive an education that maximizes their potential based on individual needs and goals

Gifted education should be a continual process

Teachers should be adequately trained and kept up-to-date with the changing curriculum

Goals Continued

To increase the number of underserved gifted students

To differentiate the learning style and environment for gifted learners in comparison to their non-gifted peers

To encourage parents and the community to become stronger advocates for gifted education in Newport News

Screening, Identification, and Placement Procedures

Teacher, Parent, and Administrative Referrals

Standardized test scores K-2 must refer at least top 5 in class K-2 students who receive free/reduced

lunch, minorities, single parent households, and specific zip codes

All 2nd graders tested - above 88th percentile are placed into pool

Multiple Criteria Used

General Intellectual Aptitude K-12 Specific Academic Aptitude 1-12

Areas of Giftedness Served by Newport News

• Observations• Rating Scales• Individual/Group Aptitude test(s)• Individual/Group Achievement test(s)

Gifted Services Provided by Newport News

K-2•Acceleration

•Cluster grouping

•Pull out

•Center based

3-5•Acceleration

•Homogeneous grouping

•Specific programs for intellectual aptitude

Middle School•Programs same as

elementary

•Advanced/Honors in specific content areas

High School•Governor’s School

•Dual Enrollment

•AP Classes

Identification Model - Comparison

Newport News•Special measures for

disadvantaged students in order to

increase the number of underserved students

in gifted programs

Screening Process

WJCC•Separate review

process for special populations

•Specific tests for kindergarteners -

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

•Cognitive Ability Test for all 2nd graders

Northhampton•Counseling of

specific interests and talents of secondary

students

Identification Model - Comparison

Newport News•Students above the

88th percentile

Multiple Criteria

WJCC•Harrison Observation

Form

•Students above the 90th percentile

Northhampton•Torrance Test of Creative Thinking

•Students above the 90th percentile

Identification Model - Comparison

Newport News•General Intellectual

Aptitude

•Specific Academic Aptitude

Services Provided

WJCC•Specific Academic

Aptitude

Northhampton•General Intellectual

Aptitude

Strengths of Newport News’ Program

Designed to be inclusive○ Strong emphasis on underserved population

Extensive multiple criteria is used Specific schools for services spread

around the division Has an Individual Educational Plan feel Multiple services provided Internship Program

Weaknesses of Newport News’ Program

Internship Program Honors, IB, and AP teachers not required

to hold an Endorsement in Gifted Education

Parent and Community Involvement Plan Not identifying based on:

○ Practical and Technical Arts Aptitude○ Visual and Performing Arts Aptitude

Suggested Improvements for the Newport News Gifted Program

Provide programs for:Practical/Technical AptitudeVisual/Performing Arts Aptitude

Use of a creativity test Continue idea of inclusiveness by

implementing Renzulli’s Revolving Door System