Gifted & Talented

Van Arsdale routinely administers the CogAT, which measures cognitive ability, to second graders in October. For students who score in the 95th percentile or higher on any one of the three areas on the test, there are then several more steps to determine whether they are gifted. 

Three “bodies of evidence” (BOE) are needed to determine whether a child is gifted, and these can include cognitive data (like the CogAT), achievement data (like MAP or PARCC), and observations. The process to gather the evidence can take place during the second grade year and the third grade year once the child takes the CogAT in second grade and classroom teachers work with the GT resource teacher, Jennifer Mulhern, to gather the evidence.

If you want your child tested sooner (or if you moved to the district later than second grade), you may arrange this with the JeffCo school district. The Jeffco GT department offers cognitive testing twice a year.

GT children are put on an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). The ALP is developed by the classroom teacher in consultation with the student and the parent. The district’s GT resource teacher (Jennifer Mulhern, see above) supports teachers in developing ALPs. 

There is a progress check about mid-year and a wrap-up at the end of the year to ensure the goals in the ALP are being met. Again, teachers are already differentiating instruction for a variety of different levels; the ALP is a way to ensure that gifted children can stretch themselves further in an area of passion, strength, or other need.

Assuming you have already consulted with your child, the first step is to talk to your child’s teacher. Remember that every teacher at Van Arsdale wants to meet your child’s needs and works hard to do so. The school has obtained training for teachers on differentiation — modifying instruction to suit all different ability levels in the classroom. That said, with a classroom full of children with various needs, it is challenging to meet them all. Also remember that as the parent, you know your child and his/her needs best. Approaching the teacher with a confident, collaborative mindset will benefit your child the most.

You are also encouraged to talk to one of the Jefferson County Association for Gifted Children (JAGC) ambassadors (Karen Haneke or Suzanne Ghais). The ambassadors have undergone an orientation program through JAGC and can serve as sounding boards and help point you in the right direction.

If your concerns are not resolved after working with the teacher, the next step would be to set up a meeting with the principal.

There are lots of resources on educating and parenting GT children. Here are some key ones:

• JeffCo Gifted & Talented: Our school district has been actively improving services to gifted children.
• Jefferson County Association for Gifted Children (JAGC): A non-profit group providing leadership and support to families and educators of gifted young people in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is run 100% by volunteers. Be sure to check out their GT Resources page. 
• Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) 
• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) 
• Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: information about GT education
• Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) for social-emotional aspects
• Byrdseed: site aimed at teachers on meeting the needs of gifted children