at
GIFTED
EDUCATION
RENAISSANCE
RESOURCES
Renaissance Gifted Coordinator
Douglas County Gifted and Talented Programming:
https://www.dcsdk12.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=5755337
Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented:
http://www.coloradogifted.org/
National Association for Gifted and Talented:
Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted Students:
Douglas County Association for Gifted and Talented:
Colorado Department of Education Gifted Page:
Douglas County Gifted Education News:
DCGAT Monthly Newsletter
newsletter
Renaissance supports high potential/advanced/gifted and talented learners who require differentiated programming to meet their educational needs and prepare them for their chosen endeavors in society.
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:
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General or Specific Intellectual Ability
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Specific Academic Aptitude
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Creative or Productive Thinking
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Leadership Abilities
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Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical or Psychomotor Abilities
Dear Parents/Guardians,
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 Grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in November. 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
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If your child is in grades 3, 4, or 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.
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NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
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Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
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Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
DISCOVERY PROGRAM
The Elementary Discovery Program is a self-contained, center based, program for highly gifted learners grades 2-6 located regionally at these elementary school sites: Northridge, Pine Lane, and Renaissance. The program is designed for identified gifted learners who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school gifted programming options.
DISCOVERY PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION GUIDELINES
The Douglas County School District’s Discovery Program is designed to meet the needs of gifted elementary school students who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school gifted programming. These students have likely exhausted the gifted education resources provided by their general education setting and may be identified by the following characteristics:
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They make connections between and among disciplines and concepts beyond what may be expected among their age peers.
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They are able to learn quickly and require appropriately paced instruction.
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They are usually inquisitive and often passionate about one or more areas of interest.
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They have interests beyond those expected of their age peers.
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They are advanced academically in literacy and numeracy concepts.
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They have academic needs that require modifications beyond what can be expected in the regular classroom.
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They display a high level of cognitive potential.
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They have social and emotional needs which are suited to grouping with intellectual peers.
HOW THE DISCOVERY PROGRAM MEETS THE NEEDS OF GIFTED LEARNERS
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Allowing for both acceleration and enrichment in multiple areas of the curriculum, ensuring student progress commensurate with ability.
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Stressing academically rigorous content in order to excel in meeting or exceeding state and national grade level standards in identified areas of strength.
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Supporting unique academic, emotional, and social needs.
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Fostering self-motivation, responsibility and self-confidence, and establishing patterns of independent lifelong learning.
DISCOVERY PROGRAM AT RENAISSANCE
At Renaissance the Discovery Program goes beyond academics to provide students a holistic, child-centered education including Adventure Education, Integrated Learning Expeditions, Workshop Wednesday, Drum Circles and many other life-enriching, student focused programs.
Social-emotional learning is put into practice as students guide themselves and each other through emotional growth zones in the classroom and on Voyages. We are crew. We are a community of learners working and growing together.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Parents must submit a Discovery Program Application in order to have their child considered for entry into the Discovery Program.
Discovery Program Application and Discovery Program Information Night for the following school year will be available on the district website in the fall.
Applications for the Discovery program, DCSD's Gifted and Talented program, are done at the District level through DCSD's Gifted Education office. Renaissance is not part of this process.