HACKETT

Hackett School District

Gifted and Talented Education

Definition

Gifted and talented children and youth are those of high potential or ability whose learning characteristics and educational needs require qualitatively differentiated educational experiences and/or services.

Possession of these talents and gifts, or the potential for their development, will be evidenced through an interaction of above average intellectual ability, task commitment and /or motivation, and creative ability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services are available for gifted students in Arkansas?

All public school districts in Arkansas must provide a program for gifted and talented students.

How do I go about referring my child for gifted and talented services or to find more information? Contact the Gifted and Talented Coordinator at your local school district to refer your child for services.

What areas of giftedness are served?

Those students with high potential in the areas of intelligence, task commitment, and creativity should receive gifted and talented services. Identification.

How are students identified as gifted?

Identification is a nondiscriminatory process based on observations, assessments, interviews, biographical data, and student products.

If a student moves from one school district in the state to another does the student continue to receive services?

Each school district determines whether it will continue to provide services to students who have been receiving services in other districts in the state with the exception of military dependents.

If a student moves from Arkansas to another state does the student continue to receive services?

Each state has its own policies about services to gifted students. If you have a child who is receiving services in Arkansas, please check with the state where you are moving to see what its policies are.

Are teachers of identified gifted students required to have special training? Teachers in Arkansas who provide direct services to identified gifted students in homogenous groups are required to have an additional licensure endorsement in gifted education.

What about other teachers?

Professional development about gifted and talented education is required for all staff in Arkansas schools.

Program Options What services do students receive?

All students receive weekly enrichment lessons beginning when they enter kindergarten as a form of long-term identification until formal program placement occurs. Once formal identification occurs, districts have several options or ways to serve students, but an identified student has to receive a minimum of 150 minutes of service each week. Hackett Schools formally identify, and serve in pull-out GT classes, 3rd-6th grade students.

Do GT services end when a child finishes elementary school?

Services to identified students are offered until the student graduates, leaves the district, or exits the program. Many secondary students’ academic needs are served in Advanced Placement or Pre-Advanced Placement classes while their affective needs are served by a licensed GT teacher.  The GT teacher at Hackett meets with 7th-12th grade students once per month.

What happens in GT classes?

The curriculum for GT students extends or replaces the regular classroom curriculum and should have different content, process, or product. Each district has a scope and sequence of skills, and the curriculum used develops the identified skills which typically stress creativity and higher level thinking.

Are districts in Arkansas accountable for the services provided to gifted and talented students?

All districts, including Hackett School District, complete annual reports about their gifted and talented programs for review by the Office of Gifted and Talented. The Office of Gifted and Talented also conducts on-site technical assistance visits to review gifted and talented programs and make recommendations to improve services.