2024 Q 3 Newsletter

We are already looking to next year. In recent weeks, families received annual gifted verification letters with information about service placement for next year, if students are eligible. In this issue, we have provided additional information about gifted services for each grade band. This will hopefully give some insight on programming at all levels.

It is also time to start thinking about summer opportunities. Take a look at the Outside Opportunities for a document with links to various summer programs. This issue also gives information about some scholarship opportunities that can help families offset the cost of these extracurricular programs. Please note that the summer programs and scholarships are NOT affiliated with Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, and websites, dates, and offerings may change. Contact the specific program directly with any questions.

Elementary

There are two levels of gifted services offered at the elementary level.

GATE

GATE is one type of gifted service offered in grades 3 through 5. GATE Math is a self-contained gifted math class taught by a gifted specialist in grades 3-5. Students attend this instead of their regular math class each day, and they learn 1 1/2 years of math in a single year. Students must be identified as gifted in math and superior cognitive ability to be eligible for GATE Math. Beginning in 2024-2025, GATE ELA will be a reading and writing extension class for grades 4 and 5. Students will get their main reading and writing instruction from their regular teacher and go to the gifted specialist every day for extension and enrichment. Students must be identified as gifted in superior cognitive ability for GATE ELA. Students will be in a regular classroom for the remainder of their day. Students currently enrolled in GATE 3 or GATE 4 will continue at their current buildings next year for GATE.

2024-2025 GATE Class Locations:

• Goshen Lane - 3rd Grade GATE Math, 4th Grade GATE Math/Reading
• High Point - 3rd Grade GATE Math, 4th Grade GATE Math/Reading, 5th Grade GATE Math/Reading
• Lincoln - 5th Grade GATE Math/Reading

Tier II

Tier II services are available for students in grade 4 and 5 at all elementary schools. These services are provided by general education teachers in students’ regular classrooms. Teachers of those classes have received extensive professional development related to gifted education and are supported by two gifted specialists, who assist teachers with planning and resources. Students who are gifted in either math superior cognitive ability are eligible for Tier II services in math. Students gifted in either reading or superior cognitive ability are eligible for Tier II services in reading.

Notice of Eligibility

Rising 1st through 5th grade students will receive confirmation of gifted identifications and notification of any service eligibility, if applicable, by early March. This notice will be sent via email to the guardian emails on record in Infinite Campus.

Students who are not eligible for GATE or Tier II will still maintain their gifted identification but will not receive formal gifted services. Teachers are notified of gifted identifications, and two gifted specialists are available to assist teachers with instructional planning and resources as requested. Service eligibility is reviewed each year, and newly eligible students will be offered the opportunity to join in. Additionally, we will review eligibility this spring and offer placement for next year to any student newly eligible after spring MAP testing.

Middle School Services

ACE Math

ACE Math is a compacted and accelerated sequence of math classes offered in grades 6 and 7. ACE Math 6/7 covers all of 6th grade and more than half of 7th grade math during the 6th grade year. ACE Math 7/8 covers the rest of 7th grade math and all of 8th grade math during the 7th grade year. Students who successfully complete both courses then proceed to take Algebra I in 8th grade. Rising 6th graders must meet one of the criteria below to enroll in ACE Math 6/7, regardless of any gifted identifications or prior service.

• 1-year or 2-year MAP Math average of 85%ile or higher

• 1-year or 2-year MAP Math average of 80%ile or higher AND a cognitive ability score of 110 or higher

• 1-year or 2-year MAP Math average of 75%ile or higher AND a cognitive ability score of 115 or higher

Based on a careful review of data, we believe these criteria are a strong predictor of student success in this compacted math program. If students are not able to take ACE Math 6/7 and 7/8 during middle school, they will access Algebra I in 9th grade and will still have access to a variety of honors math classes in high school that may be a good fit for their need for challenge at a more typical pace.

ACE ELA

ACE ELA is an enriched English Language Arts class offered in grades 6 through 8 and is available at all three middle schools. To enroll in ACE ELA 6, students must be identified as gifted in either Superior Cognitive Ability or Reading/Writing. Although students only gifted in Superior Cognitive Ability, and not Reading/Writing, are eligible regardless of recent reading scores, we recommend families carefully consider placement if recent MAP reading scores are not consistently at or above the 85th percentile. ACE ELA 7 and 8 are open to any interested students. Students who completed ACE ELA 6 will automatically be enrolled in ACE ELA 7. When trying to decide if ACE ELA is a good option, we recommend reviewing recent MAP reading scores. Students who consistently score around the 85th percentile or higher may also be good candidates for ACE ELA 7 or 8, even if they did not take ACE ELA 6.

Notice of Eligibility

Families of rising 6th through 8th grade students were sent confirmation of gifted identifications and notification of any service eligibility, if applicable, in mid-January. This notice was sent via email to the guardian emails on record in Infinite Campus.

Students who are not eligible for ACE Math or ACE ELA will still maintain their gifted identification but will not receive formal gifted services. Teachers are notified of gifted identifications, and two gifted specialists are available to assist teachers with instructional planning and resources as requested. Service eligibility is reviewed each year, and newly eligible students will be offered the opportunity to join in. Additionally, we will review eligibility this spring and offer placement for next year to any student newly eligible after spring MAP testing.

High School Services

Advanced Placement & College Credit Plus

Formal gifted services at the high school are delivered through student participation in Advanced Placement (AP) or College Credit Plus (CCP) courses aligned to the student’s area(s) of gifted identification. AP courses are taught by GLHS teachers who have been trained in the needs of gifted learners, and the courses are designed to include advanced content and greater depth of thinking. CCP courses are college courses connected with a university. Some are taught on site by GLHS teachers who meet the criteria to be a university instructor. Others are taught online or offsite directly by university faculty. Students enrolled in AP or CCP courses aligned to their identification areas will receive a Written Education Plan based on that enrollment.

We encourage you to consider the array of needs of your student when selecting classes; students may also schedule meetings with their counselor for additional guidance on course selection, if they choose. Although students will not receive formal gifted services (per state definition) outside of AP or CCP courses, many teachers at GLHS have participated in gifted training, and the school offers a full catalog of quality course options that do not fit this description of gifted service but still are appropriate for your student. Honors course, unique electives, Career Center programs, and other specialty options are available. As you support your student with creating a schedule unique to their needs, please consider these questions:

• What is the appropriate level of challenge based on your student’s readiness and interests?

• What options may add to or reduce academic and social challenges?

• What mix of advanced and traditional courses provide good balance?

• Would other programs, such as the Career Center or Mosaic, provide an opportunity aligned with your student’s goals?

The options are limitless, and all can lead to meaningful college and career placement after high school and a balanced life as a whole, regardless of whether or not those courses are an “official” gifted service.

For a full catalog of high school courses offered, College Credit Plus, or Credit Flexibility, please view the Program of Studies and other resources at https://glhs.gahannaschools.org/academics/glhs-academics.

College Credit Plus Information Session

Gahanna Lincoln High School held their annual College Credit Plus (CCP) Informational Student and Parent meeting on January 17. College Credit Plus is Ohio's dual enrollment program that provides students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking courses from Ohio colleges or universities. The virtual information sessions were recorded and can be viewed on the GLHS School Academics website.

As shared on the Ohio Department of Higher Education's website, "the purpose of [the CCP] program is to enhance students' career readiness and postsecondary success, while providing a wide variety of options to college-ready students, at no or limited costs to students and families." If your student thinks they may want to take one or more courses through CCP next year, during either fall or spring semester, be sure to attend one or both of the sessions, even if you are not certain it is in their plan. The sessions are also good for families wanting to gather information as you think about future years and consider the options available. More information about the program can be found here.

Smart but Scattered and Smart But Scattered Teens are books authored by Peg Dawson and Richard Guarre, two leading experts on the topic of executive functioning. They include background information for families about what executive functioning is and how it develops. Then, the books include practical strategies for helping children build specific executive functioning skills. Families can focus on the chapter that is specific to their child’s needs and then move on to another as their child gets stronger with each skill. The original book is geared toward supporting children ages 4 to 13, and the Teen version is for ages 14 and up.

Summer Programs

Many organizations in Central Ohio and beyond offer summer enrichment programs. Some of these programs are designed specifically for students who are gifted, while others are open to a broader population. The list found here includes programs for all grade levels locally, throughout Ohio, and even some out of state. Programs are focused on a wide range of topics across many disciplines including the arts, sciences, humanities, languages, service, physical wellness, and more. Please note that the summer programs and scholarships listed below are NOT affiliated with Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, and websites, dates, and offerings may change. Contact the specific program directly with any questions.