1. Arlington Public Schools Gifted Services
Evelyn Paulson
Resource Teacher for the Gifted
Williamsburg Middle School
Slide needs to be customized to your school and name
This slide appears again later in the slide show.
RTG MUST CUSTOMIZE THIS SCREEN TO PROVIDE NAME AND SCHOOL
AT THE END OF THE POWERPOINT IS A PLACE FOR YOU TO PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND WELCOME PARENTS TO THE MEETING.
“The Resource Teacher for Gifted Services wears many hats to support the needs of gifted students. During the first part of tonight’s presentation, I will focus on the collaborative role of the RTG at ____ School.”
“During the second part of tonight’s presentation, I will describe Gifted Services in APS and the RTG’s role in supporting its implementation.”

2. “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!: Yellow Back Book

3. GT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT OVERVIEW
By the end of tonight, you will…
Know how teachers and the RTG collaborate to deliver differentiated services
2. Understand how the roles of the RTG, Classroom Teacher, and Administrator work together to support differentiation for gifted students.
3. Understand the GT identification process

4. EFFECTIVE DIFFERENTIATION Resource Teacher for Gifted
COLLABORATION
FOR
EFFECTIVE DIFFERENTIATION
Classroom Teacher
Student
“In Arlington Schools the Resource Teachers for Gifted collaborate with classroom teachers and students in order to provide differentiated instruction. Student growth is the focus of this collaborative effort. You can see here that classroom teachers, RTGs, and students collaborate and interact in a variety of combinations.”
Resource Teacher for Gifted

5. RTG Roles Helps your child feel comfortable and accepted
Acts as an advocate
Helps fosters positive peer relations
Serves as a contact between home and school – with the office, counselor, and other teachers
Participates in Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences as needed and requested
Collaborates with teachers to develop differentiated lessons
Researches resources for advanced academic lessons
Co-teaches with teachers at their request
Runs after school classes for teachers on differentiation
Identifies students for GT services
Attends and supports grade level teams and professional learning community teams

6. DEFINITION RTG and Classroom Teacher work together
to design and implement
appropriate instruction
for
identified gifted students.
READ THE DEFINITION ALOUD.
“Identified gifted students often need additional challenge in the classroom. Through collaboration, teachers can work together to design instruction that enhances gifted students’ learning.” MS teachers are content area specialists. The primary responsibility for D of I lies with the content area teacher. The role of the RTG is to collaborate with and support the classroom teacher.

7. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
INSTRUCTION
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
“This graphic shows that collaboration occurs in four different domains. Collaboration in all of these areas enhances student growth.”

8. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
INSTRUCTION
Compacting, Independent study, Special interest projects,
Flexible grouping
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
Tiered lessons, anchor activities, classroom configuration
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
PLCs, Team Meetings
FILL IN APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS THAT YOU USE AT YOUR SCHOOL. DO NOT CHANGE THE CENTER TEXT, “STUDENT GROWTH.” DO INSERT YOUR OWN PROGRAM EXAMPLES IN THE THREE OTHER CENTER TEXT BOXES OF THE GRAPHIC. LEAVE FOUR DOMAINS AS IS.
“Tonight I want to give you some examples of how collaboration occurs at
_____ (fill in name of your school). “ Instruction is guided by pre-assessment data.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Professional development opportunities

9. A Behind the Scenes Peek into My RTG Day
Engages in “getting to know each other” activities for the grade six Bobcat team
Responds to several parental requests for information
Responds to several teacher s requesting support/information on differentiation for advanced students in Science
Sends out invitation to students for Monday’s grade 7 GT lunch bunch
Teaching
Co-teaches Multiple Intelligences lessons in grade six reading class
Build cohesiveness & comfort levels to help with adjustment to middle school
Leads first of Grade 7 GT Lunch for students in library
Responds to several grade six student questions regarding GT this year
Teacher Planning
Meets with grade six teacher to plan lunch time writing club for grade six
Meets with Math Coach to discuss grade 7 math support
Works with gr. 8 English teacher
Meets with gr. 6 Science teacher to brainstorm teaching strategies
Daily Theme:
Monday: Get organized for the day—lockers, binders, TA folder
Tuesday: D.E.A.R. Day
Wednesday: CNN Student News
Thursday: Team Building Activities and Discussion
Friday: Game Day
Watch morning announcements, say Pledge of Allegiance, observe minute of silence
Participate in community service projects & character education activities
Students can meet with their counselor

10. Sneak Peak into GT Students’ Day
Offered higher level reading text in Grade 7 History
Participated in optional lunch time Socratic Seminar in grade 8 World Geography
Grade 6 student enrolled in grade 7 math class
Signed up for Science Fair in grade 7 & 8
Invited to be lead attorney in Animal Farm court case for grade 8 English class
Gifted music student is invited to join WMS Chamber Winds
Tested out of grade six Energy Unit, offered extension project on Greenhouse Gases
Offered higher level work in grade 6 History: optional table where activities require creative solutions
Grade 7 Science, encouraged to research DNA project
US History: More primary resources used in addition to text for advance learners
Grade 7 English Challenge Activities (e.g. writing from different points of view)
Invited to participate in Grade 8 English Folger Shakespeare Festival
Grade 7 Math: students encouraged to work ahead as meets their interest/skills

11. Middle School Gifted Services Activities
Creative/Critical Thinking Skills
Mindmapping
DeBono’s Thinking Hats
Dr. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Carol Dwerk’s Mindset and Motivation (Persistence Despite Failure)
Robert Sternberg’s Learning Preferences (Analyze/Create/Apply)
Dr. Kagan’s Cooperative Learning
Socratic Seminars

12. Additional Support Activities
Science Fair
(Ms. Lawrence)
Model UN Debate Team
(Ms. Carlson)
Grade 6 Creative Writing Club
(Ms. Myers)
Shakespeare
(Gr.7 & 8 English Teachers)
GT Lunch Bunches
(Evelyn Paulson) (#1 Intro, # 2MI, #3 Mind Set, #4TED Talks)

13.
“For the second portion of our evening, I’m going to discuss how Gifted Services works in Arlington Public Schools. We’ll touch on the Identification Process and types of services that are offered, and the RTG’s role in supporting their implementation.
“Those of you who would like to leave may do so.”

14. APS is in compliance with Virginia Regulations:
Identify students who require gifted services
Establish continuous educational services to match the needs of gifted learners
Train teachers in ways to provide services
Support differentiated instruction to meet the needs of gifted students
RTG:
These four areas are specified as requirements within all Virginia school divisions. (point to slide on screen)
We in Arlington are in compliance with the regulations in that we are certain to identify students
train teachers and
provide services and instruction to our gifted students.

15. Gifted Services Eligibility and Identification Process
Virginia regulations require that school divisions develop a process for determining whether students are eligible for gifted services
An identification process determines a student’s eligibility
RTG:
Within the regulations - we have designed a way to determine which students are eligible for identification.
The identification process determines a student’s eligibility to receive gifted services within the regular classroom.

16. Areas of Gifted Services Identification
Specific Academic Aptitude, K-12
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Visual or Performing Arts, Grades 3-12
Visual Art
Vocal Music
Instrumental Music (instruments taught in APS)
RTG:
We identify students for services in the areas in which we teach –
Clarify that we begin identification for academics in kindergarten. Formal identification for the arts begins in grade 3.
Read from the slide

17. Screening for Gifted Services
Each year, the total population is screened by school staff to create a pool of eligible candidates based on students’ participation and performance in various academic and arts activities.
Screening is formal – review of test scores following standardized testing.
Screening is informal – competitions, awards, honors, student participation in school events.
RTG:
The first step is screening –
The RTG and staff at the school look at the total population to screen students who may be appropriate for REFERRAL to the Eligibility Process . . .
(read from slide)

18. Referrals for Gifted Services
Students may be referred for services by their classroom teacher, school personnel, parents/guardians, community leaders, and self or other students until April 1st for the current school year.
An Appeals Process is available to families following the eligibility process. Appeals begin at the school level with the principal. Second level of appeals is a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee.
RTG;
Referrals can come from the general screening at the school level from the RTG or other teaching staff –
But referrals can also come from parent/guardians, community leaders (example – clergy), or students.
Referrals are taken until April 1 for the current school year – as the process is school-based and requires a collection of data from the current school year.
Any referrals that come in after the April 1 deadline are held until the next school year and the process begins in September
Following an eligibility process appeals can be made –
Appeals take two levels – first to the school with the building principal and then to a county-wide Gifted Services Administrative Appeals Committee.

19. Eligibility Criteria - Gifted Services in Specific Academic Areas
Standardized Testing Information
Teacher Checklist: Observations of Academic Behaviors
Grades/Academic Performance
Student Products
Parent Information
Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment
RTG:
We utilize multi-criteria for the identification of students as required by state regulations.
We have five criteria at the elementary level and six at the secondary level. The difference between the two levels is the student self-assessment. This is important for secondary students – especially high school students who can articulate their goals and aspirations.
Read from the slide.
These elements are collected and looked as a student profile by a committee.
Materials for the identification process are collected over the course of school year and reflect student work from that school year only.
ELEMENTARY NOTE ESPECIALLY - The work samples are products produced at school and within the current school year.
The identification process is finalized in the spring for K-4, 6-7, 9-11 and by the end of the first semester for grades 5 & 8.
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20. Eligibility Criteria - Visual Art or Vocal/Instrumental Music Areas, Grades 3 - 12
Art and Music Teacher Referral: Observations of Artistic Behaviors
Student Products
Grades 6-12 Student Self-Assessment
Grades/Artistic Performance
Parent Information
RTG:
We utilize multi-criteria for the identification of students in the arts areas as well.
Read from the slide.
Again, these elements are collected and looked as a holistic profile by a committee. Materials for the identification process are collected over the course of school year.

21. Gifted Services Identification leads to:
Teacher awareness
Cluster grouping
Opportunities
Arts Programs
Summer Programs
Academic Programs
The purpose of identifying a student for services is to provide for the following:
Read from the slide.

22. Classroom Teacher’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted
Collaborate with the RTG
Plan differentiated
units and lessons
Coordinate instructional needs of all learners in the classroom
RTG:
In APS, the RTG supports the classroom teacher in what we call the
Collaborative Instructional Model.
USE THIS TIME TO REFER BACK TO THE COLLABORATION CARD PRESENTED IN THE INCLUDED MATERIALS.
Within the APS Strategic Plan, Goal 3 is Responsive Education: prepare each student to success in a diverse, changing world through instruction and other school experiences responsive to each student’s talents, interest, and challenges.
The classroom teacher has the primary responsibility of challenging students in the regular classroom.
The teacher is encouraged to work with me for support in being responsive – for example – the sample lesson we did earlier allowed us to be responsive to student interests.-
read from the slide …

23. RTG’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted
Support the Classroom Teacher:
collaboratively plans
provides student enrichment
models and trains teachers in instructional strategies
informs teachers about gifted education training opportunities
coordinates the identification process
My role is to support the classroom teacher. I do that by …
READ FROM SLIDE
FEEL FREE TO ADD VERBALLY ITEMS THAT RELATE TO YOUR GRADE LEVEL – IF YOU DIDN’T GET TO THIS IN YOUR CUSTOMIZED PART OF THE POWERPOINT
HIGH SCHOOL RTGS IN PARTICULAR MAY WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE WORK YOU DO WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS, CONTESTS, COLLEGE PREP, AND SPECIALIZED COHORT PROGRAMS AT YOUR SCHOOLS.

24. Principal’s Role in Differentiation for Gifted
Supports collaboration of classroom teachers and RTG
Provides opportunities for staff development and training in differentiation for advanced learners
Evaluates staff on evidence of effective differentiation
The classroom teacher and I work together with the support of our Principal and administrative team.
Our principal may . . .
Read from slide.

25. Role of Parent Educate yourself about your child’s needs:
Parent Resource Center Materials
or or
Maintain communication with your child’s classroom teacher, RTG, and counselor to monitor social and academic progress
You may ask yourself as a parent of a gifted child what you can do for your highly able child…
NAGC Baltimore- Nov GO!!!

26. Further Information APS Gifted Services
Visit the Arlington Public Schools Web Site
Click on Curriculum and Instruction
Click on Programs
Click on Gifted Services
More detailed information about APS gifted services can be viewed and researched on the county web pages
Next slide for your contact info

27. Contact Information:
Phone
Slide must be customized with your contact information
RTG:
I can be contacted to handle specific questions at
And go to next slide for conclusion

28. Questions and Exit Cards
General questions that relate to Gifted Services.
Exit Cards: On each table, you will find index cards that can be used if you have a specific question about your child.
Please write the question, your name/your student’s name, your phone number, and the best time for me to contact you.
I will call you in order to address your specific questions.
(There should be index cards available for each parent. The purpose of these cards is for a parent to write specific questions about their child’s needs.
RTG says, “This brings us to the end of our evening. I would like to take this time to answer some general questions about gifted services.”
Take general questions.
Distribute index cards on which parents can write specific questions about individual student issues. Explain parents may also you with questions and should indicate a good time for you to call them.
Thank parents for coming.
Collect exit cards. Follow-up with questions on cards by PHONE within the next week.