Identification
Academic and Visual Arts
According to Chapter 104, Education of Gifted and Talented Children in the State of Maine, “each school unit shall conduct an initial screening and thereafter an annual review of the K-12 population to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to be considered for selection and placement in the gifted and talented program.”
Identification of gifted and talented students is a three-phased process of nomination, screening, and selection. Formal identification begins during grade three and is repeated at each transitional point for students who have outstanding needs intellectually, and in a specific academic area.
Nomination
During January, GATES staff meets with classroom teachers to solicit nominations for GATES. High score on the MEA, OLSAT or NWEA will also nominate a student for further screening. In the spring, notification of student, parent or community nomination will be available on the district website, school newsletters and/or will be sent home through report cards. The deadline for these nominations will be March 30.
Objective and subjective data is collected on all these students. See Procedures.
Selection
The Child Study Team, made up of GATES staff, classroom teachers, and administration, will meet in May. The GATES staff will present information gathered through the screening process and their recommendations for identification to the CST. Students are selected as intellectually gifted or gifted in a specific academic area. Approximately 3-5% of the grade level population will be identified. Parents will be notified by mail of CST’s determinations. Written permission to participate in the GATES program is required.
Appeals Process
Parents may appeals decisions made my CST. Parent completes GATES Appeals Form to be considered by Appeals Committee.
MSAD #71 Gifted and Talented Education Visual Arts Identification Overview
MSAD #71 is committed to identifying children who show exceptional promise in the arts. Students gifted in the area of visual arts are identified and reviver services beginning at the Intermediate Level, while at the Middle and High School Level, students have opportunities for advanced study in the performing arts areas of dance, drama and music as well.
Application:
During April, the art teacher explains to all classrooms about the Talent Artists Program. Students need to fill out an application. Applications are available from the art teacher, GATES teacher, or it can be downloaded off the district website.
Portfolio:
Students need to submit a portfolio. These will be judge by artists and art teachers.
Interview:
Students may also be interviewed.
Selection:
A team made up of GATES staff, art teachers, and artists will select students by June. Students are selected as a gifted in the visual arts. Approximately 3-5% of the grade level population will be identified. Parents will be notified by mail of the team’s determinations. Written permission to participate in the GATES program is required.