The New Castle Area School District provides gifted support services for students in Grades K through 12. These services are based both on state and federal regulations.
Students are first screened for services during the elementary school years by using a process that involves data collection using curriculum based scores, teacher scores, and scores from standardized instruments. During this screening, if the child receives 20 out of 2S points, then the district issues a permission to evaluate for further testing. These points are given for percentile ranking from reading levels, teacher ratings, and district wide achievement testing.
Once the parent signature is received for the evaluation then phase two of the process begins. Phase Two consists of a multidisciplinary evaluation in which both intelligence and achievement tests are administered. Once the scores are obtained then point values are assigned to each section. A child must earn 32 out of 40 points in order to qualify for gifted support services.
Once eligibility has been established, a meeting is held with the parents to outline the child's programming. The resulting document is called the Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP). This document contains the child's present levels of functioning, pertinent strengths and weaknesses, as well as goals/objectives for what his individual plan will entail.
The student's grade level determines the scope and nature of the programming. In grades K through 6, students receive gifted support instruction at a central site for one afternoon per week. During this time, students work on individual projects that are oriented with regards to their talents or interest.
In grades 7 and 8, each student's schedule reflects two periods of gifted support instruction. The first period involves gifted English class in which advanced content and a weighted grading system are used. During the second period, students work on individual projects, and preparation for various academic competitions such as Forensics, Mr. Presidents, and Trivia. Some of these students are also assigned to higher level math courses based on class performance, teacher recommendations and overall grade point average.
In grades 9 through 12, student schedules become even more diversified and individualized with regards to honors and advanced placement courses. Students may choose not only the amount of courses, but the content as well. In addition, these students participate in academic competitions, such as the Junior Academy of Science, Model United Nations and invitational competitions at some local colleges.
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