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Definition & Identification
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Gifted and Talented Programming
Definition and Identification

The Cherry Creek School District defines gifted and talented students as:
  • Children and youth with outstanding talent who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, and/or environment.
  • These children and youth exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas, may possess an unusual capacity for leadership, or excel in specific academic fields. These students require services beyond the rich and varied services normally provided by the regular classroom.
  • Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata and in all areas of human endeavor.
Typically, gifted students fall within the top 3-5% of the general student population. The purpose of formally identifying gifted students is to plan for and monitor services to ensure the appropriate academic growth for each child. The Cherry Creek School District has established guidelines for identifying students eligible for gifted education and advanced learning services. These guidelines support the approach of looking at a variety of information on a student, both quantitative and qualitative, in building a "body of evidence." It is the preponderance of evidence that will determine if a student needs targeted or intensive programming beyond the regular classroom.

The Body of Evidence

In building the body of evidence, information is gathered in four areas: aptitude, achievement, performance and behavior. Data is collected, both quantitative and qualitative, as evidence of intensive academic need and/or exceptional ability. Listed below are each of the four characteristics and the possible data that may be used under each area as possible sources of exceptional ability (Please note: not all of the assessments under each characteristic may be gathered or used):
  • Aptitude: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (N-NAT), other.
  • Achievement: Colorado State Assessment Plan (CSAP), Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), other.
  • Performance: portfolios, student products, report cards and grades, performance tasks, other.
  • Behavior: Kingore Observation Inventory, Parent Survey, Renzulli/Westberg Behavioral Rating Scales, Cherry Creek Screening Checklist, anecdotal notes, other.

Process

  • Initial referral of students for consideration and screening for identification may come from a teacher, parent, and/or peer. Forms for referral of students by parents are available at each school.
  • The GT resource teacher in each building is responsible for collecting and compiling data.
  • Formal identification occurs after the careful examination of the “Body of Evidence” for each referred student. Three possible outcomes are:
    • There is sufficient data for identification of the student. The student's area of exceptionality is "X". A Personal Learning Plan (PLP) will be developed and shared with the parents and classroom teacher.
    • The evidence does not support the identification of the student.
    • Additional information is needed as part of this student's "Body of Evidence," in order to make the best determination of need.
  • Communication concerning the outcome of the student referral will be mailed directly to the child's parents or guardian.
  • If a child is identified as gifted, a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) will be developed based on student data, teacher observation and recommendations, student performance, strengths and needs, GT resource teacher input and requests from parents. The PLP should be updated twice annually.
An appeals process may be initiated by notifying the building GT resource teacher in writing. The appellant will meet with the school principal and GT resource teacher to review data. New information may be introduced to clarify inaccuracies, review decisions and decide a future course of action. If the appellant is not satisfied with the decision reached at this meeting, a written appeal may be made to the Coordinator of Gifted Education and Advance Learning to review the decision.
Copyright © Cherry Creek School District #5, 4700 S. Yosemite Street, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | 303-773-1184
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in admission to its programs, services or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. The Cherry Creek School District No. 5 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated compliance officer: District Compliance Officer or directly to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region VIII, Federal Office Building 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite #310, Denver, CO 80204.