FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GT SERVICES

What GT services are available in FCPS?
FCPS is committed to providing challenging learning experiences for all learners that build on individual strengths and optimize academic potential. In order to meet the needs and develop the abilities of highly able learners, FCPS provides advanced learning opportunities through a continuum of GT services.

• Gifted and Talented Levels of Service
• Kindergarten-Grade 8 Differentiated Services
• Grades 3-6 School-Based Program
  
• Grades 3-8 Center Program
• Middle School Honors Program
• High School Programs

How does the school determine the appropriate level of GT service for each student?
Each FCPS elementary school is staffed with a Gifted and Talented (GT) resource teacher. The GT resource teacher collaborates with the school staff to determine appropriate levels of GT services.  Ongoing observation and assessment ensures that student needs are being met.

Who can provide additional information about GT services?
The GT resource teacher at your local elementary school can provide additional information. At the middle school, please contact the Director of Student Services for additional information.

ELEMENTARY

GT Services (Level I)

What services are available for all students in grades K-6?
Response Lessons are provided for all K-2 students in critical and creative thinking through learning activities that are connected to the FCPS Program of Studies.  Model Thinking Lessons are provided for all grades 3-6 students that represent a broad range of thinking strategies which extend and enrich the FCPS Program of Studies (POS) and the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).  The lessons support differentiation within the classroom.  Grade-level specific lessons are available in math, language arts, social studies, and science.

Who teaches the lessons and when are they taught?
K-2 Response Lessons and grades 3-6 Model Thinking Lessons are available to all FCPS teachers through 24/7.  GT resource teachers model the lessons for other teachers in the school. Teachers then integrate appropriate, grade-level lessons throughout the year according to the FCPS Program of Studies.

GT Services (Level II)

What additional gifted services are provided for K-6 students?
Students who exhibit characteristics of emerging giftedness are considered for Differentiated Services within the classroom. These services are specifically planned for the identified child to provide more challenging content, assignments, resources and/or instructional grouping within the classroom.

Do Differentiated Services change or do they always stay the same?
Differentiated Services are determined based on student needs and therefore change over time.  For example, a group of students might require additional challenge in math for a specific unit.  These students might work together in a small group on math extension activities instead of basic skills.  Or a student may have extensive knowledge on a particular science or social studies topic.  In this case, the student might work on an independent research project on that topic.  Services are tailored to the individual student and the content area(s) and/or the unit of study.

What is the Young Scholars Model?

Young Scholars (YS) is a K-8 model that is designed to increase the proportion of historically underrepresented students in gifted programs. School administrators, teachers, and GT resource teachers work together to find and nurture gifted potential in young learners. Through flexible grouping, summer school, and after-school programs, students are provided an educational setting that raises their personal expectations and prepares them for more challenging and rigorous courses as they advance in grade level.  Young Scholars is available in several FCPS elementary schools.

School-Based GT Program (Level III)

How are students identified for the grades 3-6 school-based program?

All students are considered for school-based services on an ongoing basis. Parent/guardians of students currently enrolled in FCPS may also initiate screening for the school-based program by submitting a Referral for School-Based Gifted and Talented Services to the school's GT resource teacher. The Local School GT Screening Committee considers ability and achievement test scores, the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS), progress reports, and parent/guardian input to determine the need for gifted services.

Who serves on the Local School GT Screening Committee?

The Local School GT Screening Committee consists of at least three people to include the GT resource teacher, principal/administrator designee, classroom teacher(s), guidance counselor, reading teacher, media specialist, ESOL teacher, and/or other specialists as needed.

What are the school-based services for students in grades 3-6?

GT school-based services are delivered to eligible students in grades 3-6 through a collaborative model that supports a continuum of gifted services. The model is designed to strengthen direct services for gifted learners and to enhance the quality of instruction offered to all students. The gifted and talented resource teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to design differentiated lessons that challenge students to learn at a faster rate, think on a higher level, and/or study sophisticated and complex content through extensions of the FCPS Program of Studies.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

GT Services (Level II - IV)

What services are available for students in middle school?

Honors courses offer students who demonstrate previous high achievement in specific areas of strength the opportunity to experience the Extended Program of Studies at greater levels of depth and complexity. Honors classes offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum in the four core subject areas. They also offer students an opportunity to develop relationships with peers who will then attend the same high school.  Honors classes are available in all middle schools.

What subject areas offer middle school Honors classes?

Honors classes are available in the four core academic areas of English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Honors classes use a Fairfax County Public Schools-developed middle school curriculum that extends the FCPS Program of Studies in depth and complexity. The curriculum is based on the Parallel Curriculum Model, a nationally endorsed model for high-ability learners.

How and when are students screened for middle school Honors?

The selection process begins in March when elementary schools send information to the middle schools regarding students' academic records. The information sent to middle schools is part of the students' cumulative files. Middle schools use this information to make decisions. Notification letters are then mailed to parents/guardians in the spring.

What criteria are used to determine student eligibility for middle school Honors classes?

Students are placed in Honors English, Honors Science, and Honors Social Studies based on the recommendations of a screening committee after a comprehensive evaluation of ability and achievement test data, grades, the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS), and teacher recommendations.  Students are placed in Algebra I Honors, Mathematics 7 Honors or Mathematics 7 as indicated by math test results.(LINK to math info from Gateways)

How do I refer my child for Honors classes in middle school?

All sixth grade students are considered for Honors classes. The middle school placement committee looks at all available data and carefully considers each student's areas of strength. If parents/guardians feel that their child would benefit from Honors classes (or from additional Honors classes), they may contact the middle school principal and provide any additional information to support Honors placement.

My son or daughter was placed in middle school Honors in more than one subject, and I would like my child to take only certain Honors classes. What should I do?

Contact the middle school director of student services to discuss the proposed change.  Additionally, placement decisions can be reviewed at any time during the year to determine whether a class is the most appropriate match for a student.

How much homework is involved in middle school Honors?

The amount of homework will vary depending on the instructional decisions made by the individual teacher and student learning styles.  For more information on homework policies, refer to Regulation 3205, available online.

Are students re-screened for eighth grade Honors?

Students enrolled in seventh grade Honors classes carry over their placement into eighth grade unless there is a question regarding whether or not the placement is appropriate. In such cases, the principal at the middle school reviews the information and makes a decision.

My child has been in an elementary GT center.  What options are available at the local middle school?

Rising seventh grade GT center students may attend the assigned GT Center. They also automatically qualify for Honors English, Honors Social Studies, and Honors Science classes at their local middle schools.  Parents/guardians help students make the decision whether or not to leave the GT center at the end of the students' sixth grade year.

How is the middle school GT center program different from the middle school Honors?

The GT center program for students in grades 7 and 8 offers identified students a full time, highly challenging instructional program in all core subjects: English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Honors classes are designed to provide opportunities for all students to develop academic strengths through a more rigorous and challenging program in identified subject areas.

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