Harmony Grove Gifted Placement Process

Comprehensive Placement Plan for the Harmony Grove School District is based on the research and recommendations of experts in the field and the guidelines found in the ADE Gifted and Talented Program Approval Standards.  The purpose of identification is to find and serve those students who need special programs to develop their exceptional abilities. 

1.  Referral/Screening

A.  Students are referred for the gifted evaluation by teachers, parents, peers, and themselves.

B.  Screening for referral often begins in grades K-2 as a result of student performance during enrichment lessons.

C.  The parent or legal guardian is sent a permission form for final authorization of referral and to receive permission to evaluate.

D.  A Case Study of each child recommended for the gifted program is completed.  This case study may include but is not limited to the following:

• The Otis Lennon School Ability Test and/or
• The Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test
• The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking and/or
• The Williams Creativity Test
• Standardized tests provided by the district or state
• Parent/student/teacher questionnaires and/or checklists
• Portfolio including student product samples

   

   

  2.  Data Collection/Assessment

   

  A.  Data is collected and placed on a student profile sheet with an identification number for anonymity and impartiality.

  B.  A selection committee who studies individual data is formed of at least five members comprised of any of the following:  administrators, counselors, classroom teachers, and teachers of the gifted.

  C.  Multiple criteria are used in identification.  No single cut-off score is used to include or exclude.  Procedures used in the identification are non-discriminatory with respect to race, cultural or economic background, religion, national origin, sex or handicapping condition.

  D.  The committee makes an initial impartial decision; student folders are then introduced as needed for additional information.

  E.  Additional information such as individually administered intelligence tests, biographical inventories, past academic performance, observations, and/or portfolio of student products may be requested to determine best placement.

   

   

  4.  Gifted Identification and Placement

   

  A.  After a careful evaluation of the data, the Case Study determines if a student meets the Arkansas definition for gifted children and if the student requires additional educational opportunities outside the regular classroom.

  B.  Letters of placement are sent as notification to all parents

  C.  Parents are offered times to make appointments for conferences to discuss the screening information

  D.  Permission to Place forms are included in the letter for those identified by the committee for the program.  This must be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the Office For Gifted Programs before services can be rendered.

   

   

  5.  Appeal Process

   

  A.  Should a parent/guardian disagree with the selection committee's placement decision, he or she may appeal to the Gifted Program Coordinator.

  B.  An Appeal Form is included in the letter notifying of placement.  Parents should submit the appeal within 10 days of receiving the placement notification.  

  C.  The Placement Committee will re-evaluate the data to determine one of the following:

• The initial decision is valid and stands
• Additional evaluation is warranted
• The initial decision is overturned
• The student should be monitored and re-evaluated at the end of the next school year.