Identification

Multiple pathways can lead to a determination of giftedness. While some qualitative and quantitative data are used as qualifying measures, additional data within a body of evidence are utilized to develop a student’s learning profile of strengths and interests. This profile leads to the development of the ALP and ICAP.

What is Gifted?

West Grand School District has chosen to adopt the Colorado Department of Education definition for giftedness. "Gifted and talented children" means 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, music, dance, or psychomotor abilities.

Gifted and Talented Committee Members
Programming

Programming includes the components and strategies that are implemented to appropriately address the academic and affective needs of gifted students. Programming for the individual student matches the strengths and interests of the students. An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is developed annually for each student defining the programming options the student will receive to support academic and affective goal attainment.

NorthWest Colorado BOCES

As the Administrative Unit for member school districts under the Exceptional Children's Educational Act, NW BOCES coordinates the Gifted and Talented (GT) Plan for member school districts which includes West Grand. Our GT coordinator attends meetings throughout the year to collaborate on issues related to GT students and their needs.