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Gifted and Talented (GT) Programs - Level of Service

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of gifted services for all students in grades K-8.  Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies.  Teachers, administrators, and GT resource teachers work together to provide the following Levels of Service:

• Level I GT services provide lessons in critical and creative thinking skills for all FCPS students in grades K-6.

• Level II GT services include differentiated instruction at an advanced level for many FCPS students through collaboration between the classroom teacher and the GT resource teacher.  The Young Scholars Model included in this level is designed to find and nurture gifted potential in students from historically underrepresented populations through more challenging curriculum and instruction.  Middle school students who take one or two honors classes are receiving Level II services.

• Level III GT services for identified students include the GT school-based program in grades 3-6; in middle school, students take three honors classes.

• Level IV services are for those students found eligible for the full-time GT center program in grades 3-8 or taking full Honors at the middle school.

Screening

Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS gifted services.  Formal identification begins with Level III services.  The local school GT committee determines student eligibility for school-based GT services.  The countywide GT Central Selection Committee determines eligibility for GT center placement.

Testing

Each October/November all FCPS second grade students, as well as students in third through seventh grade who are missing an ability test score, are administered the Cognitive Ability Test and/or the Naglieri Nonverbal Test.  A second grade GT center screening pool is established using these test results.  Students in the second grade pool are automatically screened for GT center placement.  Parents/guardians may exercise their one-time retest option during the October/November testing cycle.

Referral

Parents/guardians of students not in the second grade screening pool may initiate the GT center screening process by completing and submitting a Gifted and Talented GT Center Referral form to the local school principal no later than February 1, 2007.  No late referrals will be accepted for any reason.  Second graders not in the pool and all third through seventh graders are screened only by referral.  Forms are available on the GT web site and in the Parent Information Packet available at the local school.

Parent Information Nights

October 17, 2006                            Oakton High School                2900 Sutton Road, Vienna
October 25, 2006                            West Potomac High School    6500 Quander Road, Alexandria
October 30, 2006                            Langley High School                6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean

Meetings will be held in the auditorium from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and are open to the public; no registration is required.  Directions are available at www.mapquest.com.

For additional information contact:
Local FCPS elementary or middle school
GT Programs Office at Lacey Center, 703-846-8670
GT web site:  http:www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt

Questions or comments to Joan.Carboni@fcps.edu
This page last updated on 01/08/07