Gifted & Talented

Definition
Cherry Creek Schools defines gifted and talented students as children between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs.

Gifted students also include students with disabilities (i.e. twice-exceptional). Exceptional abilities or potential are present in all ethnic and cultural groups, across all socio-economic strata and in all arenas of human endeavor.

Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of one or any combination of the following areas of giftedness:

General or specific intellectual ability

Specific academic aptitude

Creative or productive thinking

Leadership abilities

Visual Arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities

Identification
Gifted and talented identification is determined using a Body of Evidence, which contains quantitative data, qualitative data, and additional supporting information as prescribed by the Colorado Department of Education’s pathways to gifted education.  A Body of Evidence considers intellectual, academic, and talent areas through use of multiple sources and types of data.

Programming
Programming for gifted and talented students supports research-based strategies that provide opportunities for rich, rigorous, learning opportunities and ensures continued academic growth and achievement.  At Creekside programming consists of:

Flexible Cluster Grouping – The flexible regrouping of students based on individual instructional needs.

Curriculum Compacting – An instructional strategy in which a student’s grasp of a content area is frequently reassessed by the teacher, and following demonstration of mastery of the subject, the student is allowed to progress to the next level or is given more in-depth work in the same subject area.

Differentiation – The modification of product, process, content, or environment based on a student’s academic need and intellectual ability.

Pull-out Classes – Classes and activities held during the school day but outside the regular classroom setting.

Push-in/Team Teaching – Gifted Learning Teacher co-teaches with the general education teacher.

Affective Support Classes/Lunch Club – Specially devised curriculum, which addresses the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students.

Enrichment Programs – Additional opportunities for developing potential such as Inside Out, Destination ImagiNation, Chess Club, etc.

Resources

CCSD GT Website

Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented

National Association for Gifted Children

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted

Mrs. Erin Elliott
720-886-3550
eelliott6@cherrycreekschools.org

Ms. Rachel Gilmer
720-886-3550
rgilmer@cherrycreekschools.org