Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented Services

Student placement in Gifted and Talented Services begins with universal screening for every student, followed by an identification process to determine whether gifted and talented services are necessary to meet a student’s cognitive and affective educational needs.

Specially designed instruction is provided to identified gifted learners to meet their individual cognitive and affective needs. The identification process is dynamic, completed over time, and includes multiple formal and informal measures gathered in a variety of settings. A matrix of student data is developed to inform the identification process.

Elementary Gifted Services

Age-appropriate gifted education services are designed beginning in grade two through opportunities in problem solving and project-based learning. These experiences are designed to uncover some of the unique needs of learners. Typically, the process for identifying students who may be gifted begins in grade two.

Identified gifted students in third and fourth grades may be recommended for participation in one of the following programs:

• Accelerated Curriculum and Technology (ACT)

• The Alternative Learning Program for High Achievers (ALPHA)

Alternative Learning Program for High Achievers

Students in ALPHA receive an accelerated academic program in a separate setting with a compacted general education curriculum in all content areas. Each student receives instruction at their appropriate level and at a pace designed to best meet individual needs.

Personalized enrichment and extension activities are also provided to broaden the curriculum and develop each gifted learner’s unique abilities.

Accelerated Curriculum and Technology

ACT activities are designed to provide appropriate levels of academic challenge in addition to general classroom instruction. Students who participate in ACT develop higher-level thinking and creativity skills enhanced with technology.

Students in ACT meet regularly in small groups to work on projects and activities.

Middle Grades Gifted and Talented Education

Middle grades Gifted and Talented Education, or GATE, services are provided using the grade-level curriculum with instruction that is specially designed to meet the needs of highly able learners.

Students in grades 5 through 8 who have been identified as gifted learners are grouped in classes with students who have similar educational needs for core academic classes, including English language arts and mathematics.

Instruction in GATE classes is provided by teachers who have been trained in lesson delivery specifically tailored to meeting the needs of gifted learners.

High School Opportunities

Dover High School offers accelerated academic, elective, and Advanced Placement courses designed to provide college-level rigor and credit opportunities. Participation is based on each student’s strengths and interests.

Advanced Placement course opportunities are also available in the arts.

Visual Performing Arts Gifted Program

Capital School District is proud of its comprehensive vision to serve all students, including those who require gifted services. To further meet the needs of students, the district provides K-12 opportunities in the visual and performing arts, as well as athletics.

The Visual Performing Arts Gifted, or VPAG, Program offered at Dover High School builds on related arts experiences that begin in kindergarten and provides exploration and increased opportunities for specialization through the grades.