Gifted and Talented


Gifted and Talented Students

Here you will find information on the Gifted and Talented Program, upcoming conferences, and helpful information.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Kristina Baxter, kristina.baxter@dcsdk12.org, Gifted and Talented Coordinator for DCS Montessori.


Gifted and talented students are those students between the ages of four and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted students include students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas:

  • General or Specific Intellectual Ability
  • Specific Academic Aptitude
  • Creative or Productive Thinking
  • Leadership Abilities
  • Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical or Psychomotor Abilities

CogAT testing dates
6th Grade and 3,4,5, Referrals: October 30-November 17 2023
2nd Grade and K, 1, 2 Referrals: February 5-23, 2024

Gifted and Talented Facilitator and Contact:

Kristina Baxter, Kristina.Baxter@dcsdk12.org  

Referral Form


DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade–a student’s final year of elementary school (November).

5th/6th Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 6th not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 1st-November 4th.  This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates.  These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.

If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.

Gifted Identification Referral Testing

  • If your child is in grades 3, 4, 5 and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.

  • NOTE:  Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.

  • Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE

  • Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

Gifted and Talented Facilitator and Contact:

Kristina Baxter, Kristina.Baxter@dcsdk12.org  or phone 720-339-3736


Links

Our latest posts

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Archives

Upcoming Events