Gifted Education

Swallows Charter Academy, as an academically rigorous Core Knowledge school, already provides a challenging curriculum to ALL of our students. We acknowledge that some students require a greater challenge than provided in the regular classroom. These students are identified as gifted.

Our New GT Homepage with Resources! - https://sca.district70.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=573441&type=d

Swallows Charter Academy

Gifted and Talented Education Program

Identification

Gifted students are identified using criteria set forth by the state of Colorado. Students must demonstrate aptitude or abilities that are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs.

The state of Colorado has identified a number of assessments and measures which can be used for gifted identification. These normed assessments and other criteria will be compiled into a body of evidence which will be evaluated using state guidelines, which went into effect in 2015. In order to qualify, students must meet or exceed the 95th percentile on the standardized tests and other assessments.

Students who were identified as gifted prior to the new legislation may continue to qualify as gifted and receive services. Any student newly identified and those who transfer in from another state must be qualified under the new guidelines.

There is a process in place to identify a student as gifted & talented.

•     Develop a body of Evidence
•     CogAT universal screener give to all 2nd grade students
•     Two (2) more pieces of evidence to display 95% or above: NWEA/CMAS scores and District     Assessments
•     SIGS Survey given to the teacher & parent (survey for identifying GT)
•     District Approval
•     Create Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) with goals and coordinate with teacher on instructional strategies.

Talent Pool

Students who fall just short of the GT requirements can qualify for the talent pool. These students would take part in all or some of the gifted program with the hope that the activities and classes will help them develop their abilities and increase their scores to the gifted level.

Referral

A student may be referred to the Gifted and Talented Program at any time during the school year. Parents and teachers are welcome to submit students for consideration. Once a referral is made, assessments will be done to determine if there is a complete body of evidence which qualifies the student under state guidelines.

Program Elements

Swallows Charter Academy ensures that ALL students in ALL grade levels receive enriching and challenging material and education.

Classroom teachers are trained in differentiated instruction to improve learning outcome by tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs of all students. Differentiated instruction increase self- awareness, inspires a love for learning, helps students learn more efficiently and with deeper understanding, and increase engagement.

The SCA model for Gifted & Talented programs is to have a dedicated team who work directly with classroom teachers to promote differentiation for GT students. They will also set and follow up with specific goals and plans for those students, which will include teachers, students, and parents as part of the goal setting process.
 

More on Acceleration

Mathematics

Acceleration occurs when students move through traditional curriculum at rates faster than typical. SCA has shown great success with student acceleration in mathematics. Students who are gifted in math tend to learn concepts at a much faster rate, and they are able to apply those concepts to higher level mathematics. Through testing and placement, SCA students are put in the math class that suits their abilities not just their grade level. Some gifted students have been able to earn high school math credit while still in middle school.

Core Knowledge and Early College Acceleration

The Core Knowledge curriculum because of its depth and content already is somewhat accelerated. Students learn Shakespeare in elementary and middle grades, while at other schools such difficult literature would not occur until high school. With Core Knowledge, all of our students are challenged to learn at a higher level. This provides an excellent opportunity for gifted students.

The Early College Program is an excellent fit for many gifted students. Students who qualify and prove they can handle the rigors of higher education are allowed to enter college during their 9th or 10th grade year of high school. There, students receive high school credit and earn college credit as well. SCA has had tremendous success in the Early College Program with the highest graduation rate of any school in southern Colorado. It is ideal for gifted students. They are challenged at a higher academic rate, and they pursue the subjects that interest them and nurture their giftedness.

Advanced Learning Plans

Students who are identified as gifted will receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) each year. The GT team along with students, parents, and teachers will determine goals for students to meet during the school year. The students will be monitored for progress throughout the year, and the plan can be changed as needed.

The Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) outlines programming for gifted students and is used as a guide for educational planning and decision-making. The GT Team will work with teachers, parents, and students to develop plans. The ALP will be be combined with an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) for high school students. Plans are developed according to the student's determined area(s) of giftedness, instructional and affective needs. 

Plans include:

Student profile described in a body of evidence

•     Student interests
•     Goal 1 - Annual standards-based ACHIEVEMENT goal aligned to strength area(s)
•     Goal 2 - Annual AFFECTIVE goal
•     Goals are SMART goals
•     Specific personnel responsible for ALP compliance

Achievement goals are academic - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely

Some examples of GT interventions include:

• Curriculum Compacting
• Differentiating Skill Work
• Extension Activities
• Enrichment Activities
• Acceleration

For more information on the SCA Gifted and Talented Program please contact our Gifted Education Team: Janet Wilson, jcwilson@district70.org OR Kate Spence, kspence@district70.org.

SCA aligns gifted identification and programming with Pueblo School District 70 and the Colorado Department of Education.  Below you will find links to information from Pueblo School District 70 on Gifted Education.

Pueblo School District 70 Gifted Education Overview

Pueblo School District 70 Gifted Education Handbook

SCA and Pueblo School District 70 have a process and protocol in place to resolve disputes regarding Gifted Education identification and programming.

Gifted Education Appeal Process