In defining giftedness and developing programming, we look to Dr. Joseph Renzulli, Director of the NAEG, National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. He is a world renown leader and brings 40+ years of experience in the field of gifted education. In his work, he states that gifted behaviors are rare and may emerge at certain times under certain circumstances. He also notes that a gifted child is not necessarily gifted in all subjects or at all times. He encourages educators to look for what he calls "gifted behavior." This is where students with above average ability are creative and show a high level of task commitment. There are some students who have high ability in certain subject areas but find that school is enough for them. They do not seek more. These students are well served in the general education classroom. When teachers, parents and/or the GT Resource Specialist sees that a student is needing enrichment beyond the general education classroom, gifted programming is provided. THE KEYS TO GIFTED PROGRAMMING in WW-P 1. Thoughtful clustering of like minded peers within classrooms. 2. Trained teachers who understand and support students with gifted behaviors. 3. Teachers who provide programming based on needs of gifted students. 4. We identify students who need enrichment in certain subject areas but we DO NOT LABEL students gifted or not gifted. WHAT GIFTED PROGRAMMING LOOKS LIKE IN WW-P: 1. All students benefit from differentiated instruction in the general education classroom supported by the Resource Specialist for the Gifted and Talented. 2. Many students benefit from whole class instruction provided by the Resource Specialist for the Gifted and Talented. 3. Some students benefit from small or individual enrichment instruction provided by the Resource Specialist for Gifted and Talented . HOW DO WE IDENTIFY STUDENTS: Identification is ongoing and based on multiple measures. There is no "on" or "off" the list. We DO NOT label students as gifted(it has been found to have a limiting effect on truly gifted students.) The measures include:
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