Gifted Services Brochure - Albemarle County Public Schools

What is the process for
identification
1. There are three nomination cycles during the
school year, and you can nominate your child at
any time during the year.
2. Set up a conference with the GRT and/or
classroom teacher to “officially” start the
identification process. You may ask to have a
translator present if that would be helpful.
During the conference, you will be asked about
what you have seen in your child that makes
you believe he/she qualifies for gifted support.
3. Be ready to talk about your child’s:
- Creativity
- Problem-solving abilities
- Critical thinking
- Performance in areas of strength
(If you need help with what these mean, contact
your school’s GRT prior to the conference.)
4. You may want to think over what was
discussed during the conference and then set up
another time with the school’s GRT to help you
complete the parent input forms.
5. A committee of GRTs, classroom teachers and
others who work with your child, and school
administrator will meet to review your child’s
nomination.
What can the Gifted Resource
Teacher do for my child
The list below includes just some of the
services offered by the GRT (services may
vary from school to school depending upon
student needs and the resources available):
• Serves as an advocate for gifted students;
• Works with classroom teacher to assist
with planning to make sure that lessons
and activities are challenging;
• Encourages students to use their talents;
• Supports gifted students academically and
emotionally;
• Helps students learn more about their areas
of interest;
• Provides opportunities for student to show
their work; and
• Helps to set up opportunities for students
to work with other students who also need
to be challenged at higher levels.
Albemarle County Public Schools
Gifted Services
401 McIntire Road—Room 333
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 434-296-5820
Fax: 434-872-4564
Email: giftedservices@k12albemarle.org
Gifted
Education
Services
“Outstanding talents are present in
children and youth from all cultural
groups, across all economic strata,
and in all areas of human endeavor.”
U.S. Department of Education,1993
Excellence. Young People.
Community. Respect.
Revised 2010

What is Albemarle County
Public Schools
Gifted Services
The goal of Albemarle County Public
Schools Gifted Services is to challenge
and motivate all students to work at
higher levels in order to reach their fullest
potential. Teachers’ collaborative work in
the classroom increases the rigor of
learning for gifted children on a daily
basis while also providing opportunities
for developing the potential of all.
Parents are key players in advocating for
the needs of gifted children.
Each school in the Albemarle County
Public School system has a Gifted
Resource Teacher (GRT). You can find
the name of the teacher on the school’s
website, by asking your child’s teacher, or
by asking at the reception desk of your
child’s school. Contact the GRT to set up
a time to meet and discuss your child’s
academic needs and whether or not a
nomination might be the appropriate next
steps for your child. Frequently, students
who are not identified may already be
working with the GRT.
ACPS Local Plan for the
Education of the Gifted
• Giftedness is multi-dimensional and
includes, but is not limited to areas of
giftedness as defined by the Virginia
state regulations: intellectual aptitude,
specific academic aptitude, visual and
performing arts aptitude, and
technical and practical arts aptitude.
• When gifted children develop to their
fullest potential, society benefits.
• Gifted students require appropriate
learning opportunities with both basic
school curriculum and differentiated
curricula that extend and enhance core
educational experiences.
• Students’ individual differences
necessitate varied services and
opportunities to meet their unique
academic, social, and emotional
needs.
How do I know if my
child is gifted
Gifted children are different from
other students in the ways they think,
what they do, what they are interested
in, and how quickly they learn.
All children need opportunities to
work at higher levels in order to be
challenged. Because gifted children
think differently, they need time and
opportunities to work in different
ways and with like peers.