Elementary Academically Talented Programs
Director of ELL and Academically Talented: Misael Nascimento
Quick Links:
Examples of Observable Behaviors | Grade & Single-Subject Acceleration Procedures
Acceleration Flow Chart | AT Appeals Process
Mission
The mission of the Academically Talented Program is to provide appropriate educational opportunities for those students who display attributes associated with academic talent in reading and in math.
Philosophy
The Academically Talented Program nurtures risk-taking and individual growth, values learning and knowledge, and promotes critical and creative thinking.
Goals
- Provide a consistent and challenging curriculum for identified academically talented students
- Promote differentiation, excellence, and rigor in the curriculum
- Promote collaboration with classroom teachers of academically talented students
- Promote understanding of academically talented students’ learning needs
- Promote effective communication between District 308 and the school community
Third through Fifth Grade Academically Talented Pullout: Math & Reading
Academically Talented students in third, fourth, and fifth grades receive direct teaching instruction from the AT resource teacher in the areas of math and/or reading.
If a student has been identified in one subject, math or reading, he/she will receive 60 minutes of instruction per week in the AT resource classroom. If a student has been identified in both subject areas, he/she will receive 120 minutes of instruction per week in the AT resource classroom: 60 minutes for AT math and 60 minutes for AT reading instruction.
Testing/Identification Timeline
The third through fifth grade identification process begins with the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
All second, third, and fourth grade students will take this achievment test. At this time, second through fourth grade students will be screened for the AT Program. Students with a 92-percentile or higher on either the current school year's fall/winter MAP test or prior school year's spring MAP test will continue in the screening process.
February: CogAT Test of Cognitive Abilities
Any second through fourth grade students who met the minimum requirements on the MAP test will take the CogAT ability test. CogAT tests are sent out of the district to be scored. Upon return, scores are screened for minimum requirements.
Mid-April: Notification
Notification letters are sent home to any student who took the CogAT test.
Fall of the following school year:
Any student who is identified as Academically Talented in math and/or reading through the spring screening will begin receiving AT pullout services in the fall of the following school year.
Academically Talented Identification Flow Chart
AT Appeals Process
Appeals are due by May 15, following spring identification.
Appeals may only be completed for students who did not register for the Optional Saturday Testing.
Appeals Form
Optional Saturday CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) Information
Math Investigations Class & Test of Mathematical Giftedness (TOMAG)
What is the TOMAG?
The TOMAG is a standardized, norm-referenced test that measures a student’s ability to use mathematical reasoning and mathematical problem solving as opposed to computation.
Who takes the TOMAG assessment?
All students who are identified by the district as academically talented in mathematics will take this assessment. The results are used by the classroom teacher and AT teacher to provide further educational opportunities for AT math students.
When will my child take the TOMAG?
All third and fourth grades AT math students will take this assessment in the fall, and qualifying students will begin additional pullout services shortly thereafter.
Students will continue to receivepullout services in fifth grade based on the results of the TOMAG test given in fourth grade.
Any new student will take this assessment upon identification for AT math services.
What services will my child receive?
One additional AT pullout session per week is provided. While attending this pullout session, students are introduced to and explore new mathematical concepts. There is no additional homework or material needed for this pullout session. This class is called Math Investigations.
How will I know if my child qualified?
Parents/Guardians will be notified via letter if their child qualifies for this additional pullout session.
Contact Us
AT Program Administrator
Misael Nascimento, Director of English Language Learners and Academically Talented
AT Teachers
Parent Resources
Illinois Association for Gifted Children
www.iagcgifted.org
National Association for Gifted Children
www.nagc.org
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
http://sengifted.org
Center for Talent Development
www.ctd.northwestern.edu
The “all things gifted” page
www.hoagiesgifted.org
Parents and Community for Excellence
www.pace308.org
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