Gifted and Talented Programs
Every child has the right to be provided with educational opportunities that challenge their unique interests and special talents. The gifted and talented programs have been designed to support and enrich differentiated instruction within the classroom and offer enriching activities beyond the classroom walls. With the goals of developing higher order, critical, and creative thinking skills to enhance the child’s own life while enriching the larger community, these programs are designed to develop and bolster individual strengths and talents of all children attending the Lincoln Park Schools.
ACCESS
In the ACCESS program, students who meet district criteria work with the enrichment specialist teacher to explore many different areas of interest while working at the highest possible academic level. Students are encouraged to seek information and solutions utilizing their own unique abilities, talents, and interests. Our program addresses the potential in each student and seeks the development of such qualities as divergent thinking, creativity, problem solving, and sensitivity to others. Third, fourth, and fifth graders are pulled from their regular classroom for one 45-minute period once a week; sixth graders meet for a double period once a week; seventh and eighth grade students meet on “B” days during the morning homeroom period.
Other Opportunities for All Students
It is possible for students who do not meet the ACCESS criteria yet excel in one or more areas to be included in other programs and special events. Math Olympiad is an ongoing program and students from grade four through eight are chosen by their classroom teacher for participation. Our district also belongs to the New Jersey Consortium for Gifted & Talented Programs, which sponsors such activities as Math Marathon, Workshop on the Arts, Learning Carnival, Spelling Bee, and other events for which all students are eligible.
Click here to visit the Office of Curriculum and Instruction where you will find curriculum organized by level and content area and the criteria considered for eligibility.
Resources and Opportunities
Organizations and Web Resources
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children
http://njagc.org
The Gifted Child Society
http://www.gifted.org
Center for Gifted Education Policy
http://www.apa.org/ed/cgep.html
American Association of Gifted Children
http://www.aagc.org
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
www.nagc.org
The Association for the Gifted (TAG)
http:// www.cectag.org
David C. Baird's Gifted Children Web Site
http://www.giftedchildren.cjb.net
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) focuses primarily on the adults in the lives of gifted children.
http://www.SENGifted.org
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page is a resource guide for the education of gifted children with links to resources on nearly every aspect of gifted education.
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org
Gifted Children: Identification, Encouragement, and Development is an on-line parents' newsletter dedicated to making a difference in the education of children with special talents and abilities.
http://www.gifted-children.com
Gifted Children - Activity and Resource Calendar for Parents is a great calendar providing a wealth of information, ideas, activities, and resources for parents of gifted and talented children.
http://www.kidsource.com/gifted.calendar.html
Distance Learning Network is a comprehensive listing of cyber academies, high schools, and opportunities to take individual classes or courses.
http://www.dlrn.org/k12/how.html
Talent Search and Summer Programs
Academically Gifted and Talented Youth Program at Montclair State University offers a supplementary academic program for high aptitude and high achieving students grades 4-11.
http://www.montclair.edu/gifted
Summer Institute for the Gifted
(grades 4-11)
http://www.cgp-sig.com
Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University (CTY) is a comprehensive, university-based initiative providing academic summer programs for those who score highly in their annual talent searches.
http://www.jhu.edu/gifted
Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University provides testing and programs that identify, nurture, and develop the gifts of students ages 4 to 18
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu
Academic Talent Development Program for students grades K-11 at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.
http://www-atdp.berkeley.edu
University of Northern Colorado Summer Enrichment Program for children in grades 5-10 who are gifted, talented, and creative.
http://www.unco.edu/sep
Rocky Mountain Talent Search (RMTS) from University of Denver providing opportunities for academically talented youth grades 5-9.
http://www.du.edu/education/ces/rmts.html
Talent Identification Program at Duke University helps 4th through 12th grade gifted youth evaluate, learn about, and grow their talents.
http://www.tip.duke.edu/index.html
Davidson Institute for Talent Development (supporting the profoundly gifted population)
http://www.davidsoninstitute.org
Gifted & Talented Procedural Complaint Process
Pursuant to A4710 1R: Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act, the following protocol must be used to file a complaint. The alleged occurrence of noncompliance must have taken place within one year of filing the complaint. Please note: the complaint process is different from an appeal for placement of a student. The complaint process only deals with alleged procedural compliance as outlined in the Act. This process will yield no change to prior student placement decisions.
The complaint shall include:
o The name, address, and contact information of the complainant; and
o A statement that the identified school district is not in compliance with the provisions of this act, and the specific facts on which the allegation of non-compliance is based.
An individual who believes that a school district has not complied with the provisions of this Act may file a complaint with the Superintendent or designee. Based on the decision of the Superintendent or designee to affirm, reject, or modify the District’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision of the Superintendent or designee in the following order utilizing the same above described format:
o Board of Education - Based on the decision of the Board of Education to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision; to
o Executive County Superintendent (investigation must be completed within 60 days) - Based on the decision of the Executive County Superintendent to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision; to
o Commissioner of Education via Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations. Should the District found to be in non-compliance with the Act, remediation of the Gifted and Talented Program will take place.