Tuba City Unified School District Gifted Education
The Gifted Education program offers gifted student identification, testing, specialized curriculum and instruction and appropriate services to challenge and enrich gifted student learning.
Gifted and Advanced Learners 101 for Teachers
An overview about the unique characteristics and learning needs of gifted students and advanced learners, along with strategies about how to best support them
OUR PURPOSE, MISSION AND COMMITMENT
The TCUSD gifted education program strives to cultivate gifted student potential by collectively strengthening our commitment to gifted student development and growth. By creating opportunities that foster academic advancement, gifted students will be prepared for a lifetime of personal, cultural, and civic excellence.
Contact for more information:
Tami Dugi (Gifted Program Coordinator)
tdugi@tcusd.org
(928) 283-1021
Our Purpose
The purpose of the TCUSD gifted program is to develop a thriving learning environment and an appropriate instructional program equipped with provisions, modifications, challenges and enrichment opportunities to promote the growth and achievement of our advanced learners.
Our Mission
The mission of the TCUSD gifted program is to meet the diverse needs of identified gifted students and to aid gifted pupils in reaching their potential through services designed to reflect each student’s academic and social-emotional needs, abilities, and potential.
Our Commitment
The TCUSD gifted program is committed to identifying gifted students utilizing appropriate testing tools, cultivating the learning and thinking of gifted pupils with appropriate teaching methods, and advocating for gifted students and the gifted program.
Program Forms for Download
Gifted Education Referral Form
Parent-Guardian Input Form
Student Input for Gifted Form
Teacher Input for Gifted Form
Permission to Test Form
Resources
Student Resources
Parent Resources
PROGRAM OVERVIEW (download)
What does it mean to be gifted?
“Gifted pupil” means a child who is of lawful school age, who due to superior intellect or advanced learning ability, or both, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs appropriate gifted education services, to achieve at levels commensurate with the child’s intellect and ability.
What is gifted education?
“Gifted education” means appropriate academic course offerings and services that are required to provide an educational program that is an integral part of the regular school day and that is commensurate with the academic abilities and potential of a gifted pupil.
Gifted Student Characteristics
- Unchallenged by curriculum
- Asks/answers questions above same aged peers
- Enjoys studying/researching/reading outside of school
- Writes/creates using detail and originality
- Speaks with high level of verbal ability
- Accelerated pace of thought processes
- Can retain extraordinary quantity of information
- Demonstrates unique interests and curiosity
- Solves problems in diverse and novel ways
Program Goals
- Provide comprehensive gifted services which cultivate each student’s problem solving and leadership skills while offering enrichment and creative opportunities.
- Promote equity and access to appropriately challenging curriculum by educating teachers and staff on the unique academic and social-emotional needs of gifted students
- Provide gifted identification procedures which are inclusive and reflective of the diverse student populations within each school.
- Provide training for all staff on the procedures for referring and identifying students for gifted services.
THE GIFTED PROGRAM REFERRAL & IDENTIFICATION PROCESS (download)
STEP 1- Referral
Anyone can initiate a Gifted Program Referral for services: parents/guardians, teachers, principals, classified staff, or students themselves. To make a referral, contact the Gifted Coordinator and you will be sent the forms to complete and return to the Gifted Coordinator. Referral forms are also available at each school site and at the district Gifted Program webpage. Transfer students identified as gifted will have transfer test scores and educational profile reviewed to determine continued eligibility or to determine if additional data is needed through testing.
Once referred, the Gifted Coordinator will begin collecting information about each student referred for identification. A Parent Input Form will be sent home for parents to complete and return. The student’s teacher will complete a Teacher Input Form. Students will complete their own Student Input Form. An educational profile for each student is developed. This includes state testing, grades, and district achievement testing. After a review of the data collected, a recommendation for gifted services or gifted testing will be made.
STEP 3- Formal Evaluation
Students recommended for gifted testing are given the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) to help determine eligibility. This tests a student’s ability to reason using words (verbal), numbers (quantitative) and pictures (non-verbal). Some students are given the NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test), which also determines reasoning abilities. This test uses only pictures and is beneficial for ELL, ESS and “at-risk” students.
Step 4- Eligibility Determination
Testing results data and student educational profiles will be used to help determine if gifted services are needed. To qualify for gifted services, students must test at or above the 90th percentile or test within “highly proficient” on approved standardized state tests (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, ACT).
Step 5- Annual Review
Gifted students’ annual state and district assessments (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT ), along with grades and student input, will be used to determine continuation of gifted services.
THE GIFTED LEARNER
Gifted learners display unique characteristics that are both conducive to their learning and growth but can also be challenging and hindering if left unsupported. The Gifted Learner is a complex and often misunderstood type of student who is often overlooked for needed social-emotional and instructional support, and frequently left to manage difficulties on their own. The resources below provide a brief overview of gifted student characteristics and needs. The more we learn about our gifted learners, the better we can support them.
Webinar Overviews
If you were unable to attend any of our webinars, please peruse the files below.
Should I refer My Child? – December 14, 2023 Webinar
Tuba City Unified School District Alerts
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