Gifted and Talent Development

Gifted and talented children are those students with outstanding abilities and capable of higher performance when compared to others of similar age, experience and environment. They have significantly different educational needs from their peers and require educational differentiation as a regular part of their school day to ensure they reach their full potential.

These services are available at all elementary and middle schools.

Gifted and Talent Development contacts by school/location.

Community Events

Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY)

Parent Resources

Gifted and Talented Advisory Council (GTAC)

Service Model

District 196 Gifted and Talent Development Service Model Goals:

Enrich, enhance, and extend core classroom curriculum and instruction within the literacy workshop and math workshop blocks. Staff utilize critical and creative thinking strategies, problem-solving and inquiry to help students become independent investigators.
Engage and empower learners across the full day
Equip PLC (professional learning community) teams and individual teachers
Empower collaboration among classroom teachers, GTD teachers, content coaches, parents, students, and community

Flexible and Fluid Service Model:

District 196 elementary schools cluster identified gifted students in grades 3-5. GTD specialists support cluster classroom teachers with differentiating for advanced academic needs in core instruction and in guided groups.

Students whose advanced academics needs extend beyond what can be provided in a cluster classroom may be referred for single subject and/or grade level acceleration.

Gifted and talent development services in District 196 is an inclusive, flexible and fluid model. A student does not need to be formally identified as gifted to receive support for their high academic and learning ability needs. GTD services are provided through flexible grouping based on formative and ongoing assessment of student learning in the classroom based on the content and standards being presented at that time.

Gifted Identification

Screening and identification process

District 196 conducts universal screening at a district level to identify students who are demonstrating outstanding abilities and are capable of higher performance when compared to their grade level peers at their school. We use multiple criteria for a strengths-based identification in math and reading.

We screen and identify students annually in grades 2 and 4.

All second and fourth grade students enrolled in District 196 are universally screened.
Students in grade 5 who are not previously identified but are demonstrating outstanding abilities may be identified by school request following a data collection process.

The identification process begins in October and ends in March. There is no screening available outside of this process. Notification will be mailed to the families of newly identified students in March. An appeals process will be available. Information about the appeals process will be posted in March.

Currently enrolled students

Gifted identification for currently enrolled District 196 students considers the following multiple measure criteria:

Assessment of cognitive abilities (Cognitive Abilities Test- CogAT 8)
Assessment of academic achievement in reading and math (MAP)
HOPE rating scale (Having Opportunities Promotes Excellence - HOPE)
All data is locally normed for each school and grade level. District 196 uses local norms for identification.

If a student has been identified in another district or state, contact Teri Emery, K-8 GTD District Program Facilitator, Teri.Emery@district196.org, for information about documentation for identification in District 196.

Grades 3-5 Cluster Classrooms

A cluster classroom is a regular grade level class with a small group of identified GTD students together in the same class. The cluster classroom teacher receives additional training to meet the learning needs of advanced students in math and/or literacy in their class. GTD cluster classrooms in 3rd-5th grades is an efficient way to provide gifted education strategies to students throughout the school day.

Every District 196 elementary school has cluster classrooms in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Many schools have more than one GTD cluster classroom in each grade level. Cluster classrooms in each grade level have the same number of students as all other classes in the grade level. A cluster class includes identified GTD students and students with a broad range of abilities. The number of identified GTD students in a cluster class varies. It is recommended that the number of identified GTD students in a cluster class not exceed one fourth of the class.

GTD cluster classrooms seem like the other classrooms in the grade level to the students and to an outside observer. Each elementary school principal selects the GTD cluster teachers in each grade level on a yearly basis.

Gifted and Talent Development services in District 196 are curriculum based. The curriculum for students in the cluster classroom is the district's core curriculum for the grade level based on our state’s academic standards. The curriculum is differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. A primary objective of the cluster classroom is to place greater emphasis on high level abilities and go deeper with the curriculum with depth and complexity.

The role of the elementary GTD specialist is to support cluster classrooms by working closely with the classroom teacher. GTD specialists provide instructional support within the classroom environment based on classroom and student needs, as well as offering enrichment opportunities that are available to all students in their school community.

Acceleration

District 196 recognizes that students with superior abilities may have their needs best served by grade acceleration or single subject acceleration. Grade acceleration or single subject acceleration will be recommended only after other appropriate program changes or modifications have been deemed inadequate to meet the academic and emotional needs of the student in the student's current grade placement. This determination will be made by an assessment team.

Grade Acceleration (grade skipping)

Single Subject Acceleration

Early Entrance to Kindergarten

Frequently Asked Questions

Are students identified gifted in middle school?

No, District 196 formally identifies in 2^nd-5^th grades. Gifted identification does remain with a student through middle school. District 196’s middle schools use a variety of a data beyond a student’s identification to determine appropriate instruction and class placement. Students who demonstrate advanced achievement do not need formal identification for advanced learning opportunities.

Are students younger than 2nd grade identified?

No, District 196 formally identifies in 2^nd-5^th grades. Kindergarten and 1^st grade students who demonstrate advanced learning needs compared to their peers do not need formal identification for services. Classroom teachers use formative assessment to respond to advanced learning needs of students in their grade level. Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers communicate and collaborate with GTD specialists.

What are local norms?

Why use local norms during identification?

Local (or school) norms identify students within a local population who are demonstrating a need for additional services when compared to their same age peers in the same learning environment. Gifted services are designed and implemented at the school level. Schools and their student populations in District 196 are diverse and have individual needs. National norms compare student test results to same age peers across the nation. Recent national studies have found that the exclusive use of national norms leads to over-identification of certain demographic groups and under-identification of other demographic groups.

What if my child has an IEP?

What is the HOPE teacher rating scale?

The HOPE (Having Opportunities Promotes Excellence) scale is research-based and has been through five validity studies across the nation since 2009. The HOPE scale was developed to identify academic and social/affective strengths of students from low-income and culturally diverse populations. The scale is part of multiple measures and pathways to identify diverse students for gifted services. Some students demonstrate strengths in the classroom but do not perform as well on standardized tests. Teachers will receive professional development on the HOPE scale before they assess students.

What if a student moves in from another district or another state?

If a student moves into District 196 from another district or another state with a GT identification, then contact the district GTD Program Facilitator to share the student’s records that are appropriate to the gifted identification criteria. Gifted identification and criteria vary by state so it is not a reciprocal identification. Minnesota is a local control state so each school district determines their criteria and identification process for gifted. A student who is identified gifted in one school district will not necessarily be identified gifted in another school district.

Why is my child taking the CogAT if they are already identified?

What are the services in middle school and high school?

If my child is already identified, will they need to be reassessed?

Who do I contact for more information?

Gifted and Talent Development at SHMS

This page provides descriptions of various enrichments offered at our school for students seeking academic challenges outside of their classrooms. This page is divided by subject area. Please scroll down to find the information you are looking for. If you have questions about the enrichments described here, please contact Theresa Back by using this email address: theresa.back@district196.org

Gifted and Talented Orientation

Theresa Back

Theresa.Back@district196.org

651-683-6969

Voicemail: 82271

Reading Lists

STEM: Future City Competition Team

https://futurecity.org/minnesota

Season Begins Last Monday of September.

FCC Regional Competition is held mid-January at DCTC

Registration opens in FeePay the second week of September

School teams meet Tuesdays from 3:20-4:50 during the season in Room 31 to receive general competition information.

Competition teams must meet an additional day with their smaller Competition Team to work on their projects.

Engineers make the world a better place. They dream up creative, practical solutions and work with teams of inspiring people to invent, design and create things that improve our world. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who join their school’s Future City Team work together from September to mid-January to tackle real issues affecting real people. Along the way they will discover engineering, build their 21^st century skills, and become more engaged citizens.

Scholastic Scrimmage

REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO HYBRID

STRUCTURE LIMITATIONS

Join the Schoology Group to receive Updates: KP6Q-9FGM-C5PHK

Who: Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Graders. Three teams of 5 students compete each month. If you are interested in joining a team, see Mrs. Back. Teams change monthly.

What: Scholastic Scrimmage is a FREE intra-district team trivia contest consisting of 3 rounds of open-ended trivia questions. It is similar to Jeopardy!, but we play with teams.

When: October-April

Meets: Are held at SHMS. Students will be finished at 5:00, and will need to provide transportation home. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Back.

Language Arts and Essay Contests

Spelling Bee

Date: December-January

Classroom and grade-level spelling bees will be held in late December or early January in the English Classrooms. There will be an All-School Spelling Bee in Mid-January. The top three spellers in the three grade levels will compete for the School Champion honor. The SHMS School Champion will take a written test to qualify for the SCRIPPS Regional Spelling Bee.

See Mrs. Back for information on how to study for the spelling bee.

Reading Groups at SHMS

There are always various reading groups to engage in at SHMS. Contact Ms. Mildahl our Media Specialist or Mrs. Back, GTD Coordinator to learn what book clubs are meeting through out the year.

6th Grade Summer Reading Group: Meets in September to discuss the books read.

Battle of the Books: Teams form in October, and final contests are held in May.

Maud Hart Lovelace: Read and discuss books on the current list, and vote for your favorites!

Mother/Daughter Book Club: Share a reading with other mothers and daughters.

Avid Reader Forum: This book club is open to students from all grade levels and meets during the mid-day.

Others: As interest arrises other clubs may begin.

University of Minnesota Talented Youth Math Program Information

UMTYMP Entrance Exams occur in late Winter/Spring for the following school year. The Registration for the Exam Prep and Early Entrance Exam (offered in February) and the Regular Entrance Exam (offered in April) is available at http://mathcep.umn.edu/

Detailed information about testing can be found on the Testing Q & A page.

In order to complete this registration a portion of it must be completed by the student so make sure that they are available at the time of registration. Registration will remain open until all seats are filled for the courses. School District 196 does not make any recommendations or decisions about the placements in the UMTYMP. Information about the program is provided to those families who feel this program may fit their child's mathematical needs.

Math Club

MATH CLUB DISCUSSIONS ARE TAKING PLACE NOW TO PLAN FOR THE COMPETITIVE MATH CLUB SEASON.

ACCELERATED MATH TEACHERS WILL POST REGISTRATION INFORMATION ON THEIR SCHOOLOGY PAGES.

Registration is open in September. Clubs begins the third week of September.

The Math Club competes in the following contests:

Minnesota Junior High School Mathematics League: students participate in 5 math-meets at various local middle schools. Competition topics include number sense, probability, geometry, algebra and proportions. No calculator use is allowed during these competitions.

Math Masters of Minnesota : this is a once-a-year 6th grade math competition. Two-three teams, each made up of 5 students, will participate in fact drills, individual and team competitions.

Math Counts: this is a national math competition program. Students have the chance participate in a school competition, a chapter competition and possibly a state competition. Only 10 students are allowed to compete in the chapter competition...one team of 4 and 6 individuals. Students interested should speak to the Math Team coaches, Mrs. Werness or Mrs. Skluzacek. Practice for this event will be held during Math Club at 7:15 on Monday mornings.

6^th Grade FUN Math Club is new. This is a non-competitive club for those who love math and/or want to improve their math skills by doing fun, engaging activities. Fun Math Club meets every other Tuesday from 3:20-4:50. Students can ask questions about the club to any 6^th grade math teacher.

Science

Join the Schoology Group for access to Science Trivia: 2R8K2-BH93-PFX7B

SHMS 8th Graders will compete in the Minnesota Science Bowl! Mrs. Back will work with the 8th grade teachers to select ten 8th grade students to prepare for the February competition at the University of St. Thomas!

Interested 8th grade science students sign up with their science teachers and take a written exam to qualify for the Science Team in November. Science Bowl practice consists of individual study and group practices during the Mid-day.