Tahlequah Public Schools

Gifted and Talented Education Program

MISSION STATEMENT

Tahlequah Public Schools District Gifted and Talented Education Program strives to systematically and continuously identify and monitor students as well as provide instruction and opportunities for students who display evidence of high performance capabilities. Giftedness exists within all cultural, ethnic, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds and students may demonstrate both gifts and disabilities. Continuous attempts to refine the process will be made in the Tahlequah School District so that children identified as gifted reflect the diversity of the local community in terms of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The goal is for every parent, teacher, peer, community member, and student to have the opportunity to nominate students for GT services if they see the need. TPS agrees that gifted education is an integral part of the school district's staffing and funding plans.

Definition of Giftedness

The definition of giftedness according to the state of Oklahoma State Statutes is as follows: "gifted and talented children are those children identified at the preschool, elementary and secondary level as having demonstrated potential abilities of high performance capability and needing differentiated or accelerated education or services."

Want to have your child considered for the TPS Gifted and Talented Program?

Submit a parent referral form 👇.
*A parent referral does not mean your child will be placed in the gifted and talented program. It means our team of professionals will review all the evidence and determine if testing and placement is appropriate at this time. 

What is the purpose of identifying students for gifted and talented services?

• We assume that all youth have a right to educational services that will meet their needs, be adapted to their personal characteristics, and help them achieve to the highest possible level of their potential. The sole purpose of identification is to guide the educational process and serve youth. We strive to find students who show potential for exceptionally high levels of achievement and whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishments are so outstanding that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. Gifted and talented students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of the following:

  • general intellectual ability

  • specific academic aptitude

  • creative ability

  • leadership ability

  • visual arts, dance, drama, music ability

Who is eligible for gifted identification?

• All students are eligible for gifted identification. Giftedness exists within all cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds and those students may demonstrate both gifts and disabilities.

Will my student be assessed for gifted identification?

• All students are screened for gifted identification in grades 2 and 5.

Can I request testing?

• Yes, any child can be referred for gifted identification at any time. Students can be referred by teachers, parents, community members, peers, or themselves. Any stakeholder has an opportunity to nominate students by completing and returning a referral form, available using the link above.

What happens once a student is referred or nominated for GT?

• Nominated students are evaluated with multiple sources and tools to allow a child to reveal his/her exceptionalities or potential. This is called a Body of Evidence. A variety of assessment tools are used to collect information on a student whose background or talent area makes him/her unique from others. Information collected may include:

  • nationally standardized tests of intelligence

  • group tests of ability/gifted identification screeners

  • observations

  • rating scales

  • rubrics

  • portfolios

  • achievement tests

When do gifted services begin?

• Once results of gifted screening are analyzed and families are notified.

How often can my child be screened for gifted services?

• A student may be screened for gifted services once a year.

Once a student is identified as gifted, will they always be gifted?

• Once a student has been identified as gifted in an area, the student maintains the gifted identification throughout his or her schooling at Tahlequah Public Schools.

Can a student be in both the RISE and STAR programs?

• Yes, a student can be in and receive services from both programs.

What if a student is identified in a different school and transfers to TPS?

• Upon the receipt of student records from the previous school, records will be reviewed and the Gifted Coordinator will contact the family.

Can students who are English learners be identified as gifted?

• Yes, in TPS we are looking for potential ability in learners rather than focusing on different achievement levels.

What are characteristics of English learners who are gifted?

• Acquire new language at a faster than typical rate

• Demonstrate an ability to code switch or translate at an advanced level

• Show aptitude for negotiating between cultures

• Display inventive leadership and/or imaginative qualities

• Read significantly beyond grade level in the heritage language

• Effectively assume adult responsibilities at a young age

• Exhibit notable street smarts and/or rapid integration into the new culture

• Problem-solve in creative, nonconforming ways

Can students receive both gifted services and special education services?

• Yes, a student can be identified as gifted and can have an IEP and/or a 504 plan. Both services are important and one should not be seen as more important than the other. We focus on the strengths each student has and put accommodations in place to support learning needs.