YARMOUTH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

The Screening Process:

The Chapter 104 - GT Screening Process for math and language arts involves collecting various sources of data using multiple tools, which allow Yarmouth schools to identify children in need of gifted instructional support. These tools include achievement test scores, aptitude test scores, work samples, and teacher observations.

The process begins with nominations, which can come from classroom teachers or parents. Teachers nominate students for further screening if they are seeing evidence of a consistent need for instructional support in a particular discipline. Although nominations for the program can be considered at any time during the school year, the GT Teachers follow an annual timeline within the screening process. Math and language arts needs may be met through weekly groups and/or consultation with the classroom teacher. The needs of students gifted in the social studies, science, and the arts are met in consultation with the regular classroom teacher who provides differentiated material. GT teachers may meet with social studies, science, and art students regarding independent projects as needed.

Timeline:

Fall: Students identified in the previous spring begin receiving GT instructional support. 

Winter: Teachers collect work samples for students they will be nominating for GT Instructional Support.

Spring: Teachers fill out Individual Student Nomination forms for all students whom they are nominating. They provide specific anecdotes and references to the collected work samples that best demonstrate the gifted & talented characteristics evident in the particular student. The GT teachers then record data from an array of test scores reflecting student achievement and ability.

The Screening Committee consists of an administrator, a subject lead teacher, a grade level teacher, a guidance counselor, as well as the GT teachers. The committee meets to review all student profiles for those students being screened. A rubric based on the C-MODES criteria (see below) is used to evaluate student work. Other data includes achievement test scores, aptitude test scores, and teacher observations.

These data allow the Screening Committee to identify students' individual needs as well as to compare them to their grade level peers. The committee then makes an instructional support recommendation for each student. The recommendation may be to provide materials or extensions in the classroom setting or it may be to provide weekly enrichment in a small group setting outside of the classroom. Recommendations will be communicated to parents/guardians by the end of the school year. Yarmouth complies with state law, Chapter 104, which specifies that up to 5% of the total student population may be identified as GT.

Please note that students coming to us from GT support in other districts will be screened upon enrollment.

Criteria MODES serve as a useful guide as we look over student work and behavior in reference to the characteristics of giftedness. The acronym stands for:

Content exhibits in-depth understanding through:

M - Materials – clever or resourceful

O - Organization – advanced; unusual; planned

D - Divergence – unique or unexpected idea

E - Elaboration – complex; detailed; content-related
S - Significantly beyond age level  Students identified in the previous spring begin receiving GT instructional support.