Gifted and Talented

Definition

"Gifted and Talented" children mean those persons between the ages of five and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

General or specific intellectual ability
Specific academic aptitude
Creative or productive thinking
Leadership abilities
Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities

Philosophy

The Cheyenne Mountain School District is committed to recognizing the unique talents, gifts, and abilities of its student population. We are committed to providing a learning environment which maximizes the intellectual development of each student. We believe gifted and talented students:

Have potential for outstanding performance
Have specific and significant needs; academically, socially, and emotionally
Require appropriate programming options and support
Benefit from a partnership shared by the school, the community and the parents

Goals

Our goals are designed to:

Meet the needs of individual students
Provide students with a curriculum that is a blending of advanced content and higher order thinking skills
Assist students in becoming self-directed learners and capable problem solvers
Provide opportunities for students to work in interest areas
Encourage students to become creative producers
Assist students in developing a solid awareness of their own talents, building a positive self-concept, and an appreciation of their values to self and to others

Contacts

District 12 is proud to acknowledge that all of our Interventionists who work with gifted students in our elementary schools, junior high and high school have obtained or are in the process the of obtaining the “Gifted Education” endorsement on their teaching licenses from the Colorado Department of Education.

To learn more about specific programs and opportunities at a specific school, contact one of the following:

Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement
Dr. Stacy Aldridge, 719-475-6100

Student Achievement Coordinator
Stacey Huebner, 719-475-6100

Broadmoor Elementary
Kelly Ringler, 719-475-6130

Cheyenne Mountain Elementary
Laura Cipiti, 719-576-3080

Gold Camp Elementary
Rebecca Hildebrand, 719-327-2820

Pinon Valley Elementary
Gina Dowlin, 719-527-0300

Skyway Elementary
Anne Marie Lay, 719-475-6150

Cheyenne Mountain Junior High
Amy Hammes, 719-475-6120

Cheyenne Mountain High School
Vanessa Womack, 719-475-6110

Identification & Programming

To provide appropriate programming and services for gifted and talented students, data from a variety of assessment tools may be used. These include:

Cognitive ability tests
Standardized norm-referenced achievement tests
State content standards assessments
Curriculum based assessments
Teacher/parent input and recommendation
Classroom performance
Observation scales
Portfolios
Juried performances/performance evaluation

Criteria for Gifted Identification
Students in Cheyenne Mountain School District are identified through a universal screening assessment (CogAT) and a combination of two other measures and/or a comprehensive body of evidence. This identification process begins spring of 2nd grade, or when a student arrives in District 12. Students who have been identified as gifted in an out-of-state district must meet the D12/Colorado criteria to be identified for services in the State of Colorado. Cheyenne Mountain School District administers the universal screening assessment (CogAT) every spring to all students in grades 2 and 6. An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) will be written for identified students.

For more information, please visit the Colorado Department of Education Gifted Education Family Page.

Programming

All students identified as gifted/talented will have an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). The ALP will include longitudinal assessment data, programming options, and learning growth plans. In meeting the individual needs of highly capable students, a continuum of services may be offered.

At the elementary level, these options may be delivered by the regular classroom teachers or other qualified members of the staff. Student needs may be accommodated in the regular classroom or as a pull-out during the school day.

At the junior high level, students participate in a rigorous curriculum that may consist of honors classes, seminars, and electives in areas of technology, art, music, or foreign language.

High school students have 23 Advanced Placement course offerings from which to choose, award winning art and music programs, and a wide variety of clubs and organizations. Concurrent enrollment with local colleges is available to 11th and 12th grade students.

Gifted services may include: