Gifted & Talented
- Our Vision and Mission - Advanced Academic & Gifted Services (AAGS)
- Process for Gifted and Talented (GT) Recommendation - Identification & Assessment
- GT Program Framework - Programming
- Advanced Learning Plans (ALP) Timeline and Criteria - Advanced Learning Plan
Our School’s GT Coordinator(s) Contact Information
Name: Christine Cervera, Gifted and Talented Advocate
Email: christine.cervera@adams12.org
When is GT testing in my school?
Universal Screening: In Adams 12 Five Star Schools, 2nd and 6th graders who are not already identified GT participate in the Universal Screening process for potential gifted and talented identification. Find more detailed information regarding Universal Screening in the Five Star District.
Important dates for the Universal Screening process at Prairie Hills: All second graders will take the NNAT3, the Naglieri NonVerbal Ability Test, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. This test is used as a screener, to identify students who warrant further evaluation to see if their Body of Evidence meets the criteria for GT identification.
Parent/Staff/Student GT Recommendation: All students can participate in the GT identification process by submitting a complete body of evidence. Find more detailed information regarding the GT recommendation process in the Five Star District.
Referral Window: If you are interested in having your child (of any grade K-5) be considered for the GT identification process you need to fill out this form by November 28, 2022. Students referred by November 28, 2022 will be given a cognitive assessment on both January 10 and 12, 2023. The test used is usually, but not always the CogAT. Students who miss the referral window will need to wait until the following school year if GT evaluation is desired.
Important dates for the GT Recommendation process at Prairie Hills:
- Referral form due by November 28, 2022.
- Parents are notified by email on Dec. 1, 2022 confirming their referral/permission to test.
- Referred students are evaluated for GT on Jan. 10 and 12, 2023. (Both dates)
- AAGS Advanced Academics and Gifted Services, gathers and evaluates a Body of Evidence, which includes the cognitive scores, to make a gifted determination (either GT identified, Talent Pool, or not gifted). Parents are notified via email by Feb. 13, 2023.
Gifted & Talented Program Offerings
Advanced Curriculum & Extended Learning: “The Vehicle”
Provides the depth and complexity needed to ensure meaningful academic growth
Our school offerings include:
- Prairie Hills classroom teachers write ALPs for GT identified students which outline how GT students’ individual academic needs will be met within the classroom.
- Prairie Hills uses a cluster model with K-5 students to group advanced learners together to align, expand, enrich, and accelerate the curriculum.
Differentiated Learning Pathways: “The Roadmap”
Provides an education at the appropriate level of readiness and challenge
Our school offerings include:
- GT students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous in and out of school opportunities that provide academic challenges and choices in their own learning. Some of these opportunities include the library’s Makerspace, Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, Choir, NaNoWriMo, Japanese Club, and Student Leadership.
- Intermediate (gr 3-5) GT Students are invited to participate in our after school Makers and Builders Club which focuses on Engineering, Prototyping, Creative Problem Solving, and Business Skills. Primary gr (K-2) students who are already identified at the beginning of the school year are invited to participate in an after school Tinker Station Club, which has a similar focus.
- Prairie Hills classroom teachers use supplemental materials to adapt and deepen understanding of concepts and standards
- Prairie Hills uses assessment data to identify GT and TP students’ strengths and needs to drive instruction.
Individualized Opportunities & Enrichment: “The Customized Options”
Actively engages and motivates through interests and meaningful learning opportunities
Our school offerings include:
- GT and TP students are pulled out once a month, during the school day, from their classrooms to participate in Nimbus Group. This group time is designed to enrich their learning and explore different topics of interest. In our monthly Nimbus Group meetings, we survey students to find out their interests, as well as what social-emotional and work skills they could use support with. These meetings start in late September.
- Prairie Hills also offers several co-curricular clubs to students.
- Classroom Teachers work on goal-setting with GT students for their ALPs or in class work.
- Families can collaborate with the classroom teacher on the ALP to target strengths and needs.
Social-Emotional Learning: “The Destination”
Focuses on developing the whole child by balancing empowerment and accountability
Our school offerings include:
- Every grade level is using Second Step curriculum for SEL Social-Emotional Learning. Classrooms dedicate 15 minutes daily for classroom SEL learning/class meetings.
- GT students complete an interview or survey for/with their teacher to help determine an affective goal for their ALP.
- GT and TP students participate in Nimbus Group, which works on Social-Emotional Learning and work skills alongside Extension and Enrichment activities.