Talented & Gifted

SANDRA PLANTZ

TAG/FEDERAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

TAG/TESTING

TAG, Grades 6-8 CHAMPS, Grades 1-5 Brandy Marcum Email: gl_bmarcum@gallialocal.org

Greetings from your Gifted Coordinator,

I would like to welcome anyone who has questions regarding gifted services or identification for the Gallia County Local Schools to view the information located on our website or contact me at the district office. You will find information and forms located under the downloads tab on the website including: District Policy for the Identification and Services for Students Who are Gifted: Information for Parents; Gifted Testing Referral Forms; CHAMP Referral Program Nomination Form; TAG Referral Nomination Form; and Withdrawal from Gifted Program Service Form. There is other pertinent information regarding talented and gifted students and services in our Board Policies and Procedures Manual located on the website or a copy of the manual is in each school building (located under: IGBB, Programs for Gifted and Talented Students). For parent gifted advocacy information and membership, see our hyperlink to Ohio Association for Gifted Children under the links tab on the website.

Gifted Education in Gallia County Local Schools

3rd – 5th Grades- C.H.A.M.P. (Children of High Ability Model Program)

The district ensures equal opportunity for all students of high ability. Currently, the top sixty students who meet state/county criteria in grades 3-5 are served by a full-time gifted intervention specialist who works with the high ability students one day per week. The teacher pulls the students out of the regular classroom (for almost a full-day’s service, to comply with the Ohio State operating standards for direct service minimum of 225 minutes). The teacher will provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum in a Reading 4-Block Model (Reading and writing will be in the non-fiction areas). A heavy emphasis will be on Math Reasoning - critical thinking, analytical thinking and problem solving skills. Most activities will be project-based independent and/or group studies with research, computer and other technology enhanced skills. The Primary Gifted Intervention Specials will work in the four elementary buildings every Friday (rotating among the 4- one day per month) the specialist will collaborate with classroom teachers and supply them with materials to use for the gifted students in their classroom or individual students, provide the students and/or work with small group/ individuals on accelerated or advanced work, or co-teach classrooms.

*Grades 1-2: recommended high-ability students will be serviced about 30-60 minutes per week in Math and Reading by the CHAMPS Gifted Intervention Specialist.

6th-8th Grades- T.A.G. (Talented & Gifted Program)

The district ensures equal opportunity for all identified gifted students. Currently, the top sixty students who meet state/county criteria in grades 6-8 are served in a Resource Room Program at the University of Rio Grande with a Gifted Intervention Specialist (GIS) for a full day, five hours per week. The GIS services students in Specific Academic Reading/Writing & Creative Thinking for the 225 service minutes. We have an hour of accelerated Math content curriculum (Science and Social Studies standards are met though interdisciplinary Reading and Math non-fiction content). Most activities will be project-based independent and/or group studies with research, computer and other technology enhanced skills. The Jr. High Gifted Intervention Specials will work in the two Jr. High buildings one day every week (Monday River Valley Middle, and Friday South Gallia Middle). The specialist will collaborate with classroom teachers and supply them with materials to use for the gifted students in their classroom or individual students, provide the students and/or work with small group/ individuals on accelerated or advanced work, or co-teach classrooms.

9th-12th GRADES- Gifted High School Student Options

Working with Gifted Intervention Specialist and HS guidance counselors, we will monitor, track, and advise HS Gifted students toward challenging and rigorous coursework that will prepare them for college/career readiness.

Gifted H.S. students must meet all board approved policies and state guidelines for the following: