According to Chapter 104, Education of Gifted and Talented Children in the State of Maine, “Each school unit shall conduct an initial screening and thereafter an annual review of the K-12 population to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to be considered for selection and placement in the gifted and talented program.”

Formal identification takes place during the spring for students in grades three, five, and eight. Students who have outstanding intellectual or special academic needs will be formally identified through this process.

Objective and subjective data are collected on all students in grades three, five, and eight.

Identification can fall under General Intellectual Ability or Specific Academic Aptitude. Below are the required criteria for identification:

General Intellectual Ability in Grades 3 and 5

1. CogAT-score of 99th percentile or above.

2. NWEA- 2 years of scores are averaged with the lowest score removed. NWEA Average of 99%ile in reading and/or math.

3. Twelve Traits of Giftedness Teacher Nomination Form- 9 out of 12 Traits

Students must meet all three criteria in order to be identified.

General Intellectual Ability in Grade 8:

1. CogAT-score of 99th percentile or above.

2. NWEA- Average score of 99%ile in reading and/or math (3 scores)

3. Teacher Checklist of Student Behaviors is completed for reading, math, science, and social studies. Students are evaluated by GATES Staff and classroom teachers for evidence of learning Characteristics related to Subject Area, Creativity/Problem Solving, and Motivational Characteristics.

Students must meet all three criteria in order to be identified.

Specific Academic Aptitude in Grades 3 and 5

1. CogAT- score of 97th percentile or higher in any of the three batteries: Verbal, Non-Verbal, or Quantitative based on their age score.

2. NWEA- Average of 97%ile in reading and/or math. (Five most recent tests with the lowest score dropped).

3. Teacher Traits/Behavior Checklist- GATES staff and classroom teachers collect evidence of learning characteristics related to subject area, creativity, problem solving, and motivational characteristics. Students need 7 out of 12 traits.

Specific Academic Aptitude in Grade 8:

1. CogAT-97th percentile or higher in any of the three batteries: Verbal, Non-Verbal, or Quantitative based on their age score.

2. NWEA- Average of 97%ile in reading and/or math. (five most recent tests with the lowest score dropped).

3. Teacher Traits/Behavior Checklist- GATES staff and classroom teachers collect evidence of learning characteristics related to subject area, creativity, problem solving, and motivational characteristics. Students need 7 out of 12 traits.

Students must meet all three criteria in order to be identified.

Additional Criteria, including WASI scores may be used to reassess if OLSAT and/or NWEA scores are very close to the above criteria.

Students may be monitored by GATES Staff in grades 4 and 5 if they meet the following criteria based on evidence from the Specific Academic Aptitude Category (see above):

A- Meet Criteria 1 and 2 and some teacher traits/teacher checklist of student behaviors

B- Meet Criteria 1 and 3 and have an average NWEA score of 94%th percentile or higher.

C-Meet Criteria 2 and 3 and have a CogAT score of 94th percentile or higher in one or more categories (Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Quantitative).

*Students who are MONTORED will receive pull-out services in math and/or reading in grades 4 and 5 and will be reassessed at the end of 5th grade to determine whether they will be IDENTIFIED and continue to receive GT services in middle school. This determination is based on meeting all 3 criteria for Specific Academic Aptitude (see above).

The Child Study Team (CST), made up of GATES staff, classroom teachers, and district administration, convene in May. The GATES staff will present information gathered through the screening process to the CST. Students are selected as intellectually gifted or gifted in a specific academic area. Between three to five percent of the grade level population will be identified for GATES services. Parents will be notified by mail of CST’s determinations. Written permission is required to participate in the GATES program.

Parents may appeal decisions made by the CST. To begin the appeals process the parent completes a GATES Appeals Form (see Forms). All new information is then considered by the CST. The decision made by by the CST is final.

For more information please review A Parent’s Guide to Gifted And Talented Education Services

GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION VISUAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY AND IDENTIFICATION

RSU 21 is committed to identifying children who show exceptional promise in the arts. Students gifted in the area of visual arts are identified and receive services at the end of Grade 5. To become eligible, a student may nee to present a portfolio or aduition. At the Middle and High School Level, students have additional opportunities for advanced study in the visual arts and the performing arts areas.

Talented Artists Program Portfolio Requirements Grades 5 and 6

A self-portrait in any medium
All work must have been completed within the last year
Four additional pieces of work from any medium. (i.e. clay, plaster, watercolors, oils, acrylics, etc.)
All portfolio submission MUST be entirely student-produced.
At least three examples should be work completed in the school art program
An application must be included with the portfolio. *
The samples must include both 2-D and 3-D, in any combination. *
Portfolios and applications will be screened by art teacher and GATES staff and interviews may be granted.
Finalists' portfolios will be assessed by a local artist.

Art Foundations Honors- Grade 9

Art Foundations Honors is a comprehensive course with strong emphasis placed on the development of specific art skills in both 2D and 3D design, as well as the language of the visual arts.

Composition, and the elements and principles of art will be discussed and analyzed through regular class critiques of student work. In addition, studies will include art history and proper presentation/matting of artwork.

Students interested in applying to this class must do the following:

• Prepare a portfolio of original works.

• Submit a teacher recommendation.

• Complete a student application.

• Participate in an interview with the portfolio review committee.

The committee will include both educators and local artists. Interviews will be conducted at MSK.

Students new to the district should contact the high school for information.

5 PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS:

Your portfolio is an essential component to the application process. It is required that all work be original (not copied from another source) and should reflect your best effort.

The portfolio consists of 5 pieces that consist of:

TWO (2) OBSERVATIONAL DRAWINGS:

“Observational” means that you are looking at the actual object(s) or scene. You should not be working from photographs or from images found on the Internet.

1. Still-life of at least 3-5 objects that say something about you (interests, hobbies, beliefs, etc).

Medium: Pencil

2. Go to your favorite room in your house. Think about what you like about this room. Draw what that space looks like.

Medium: Your choice.

THREE (3) ARTWORKS OF YOUR CHOICE:

These pieces may be paintings, prints, jewelry, sculpture etc. For computer art, please be prepared to show and explain your process.

Presentation of work is important. Please have your work mounted or matted and labeled with your name, medium and description of work. The portfolio itself may be of any type or style, but should be large enough to contain all artworks. Clearly label the outside of your portfolio with your name and address.

DECISIONS:

The Portfolio Review Committee will identify students for the Art Foundations Honors program based on the following criteria:

• Technical/perceptive skills

• Creative problem-solving skills

• Art commitment

• Completion of all application requirements

Application

Assessment