2025 Q3 Newsletter

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 class taught by a gifted specialist (grades 3-5). Students attend the GATE math class for their subject daily instead of the class taught by their regular teacher. This is an accelerated class with students learning 1 ½ years of math standards each year. A student must be identified as gifted in math and superior cognitive ability to be eligible for GATE math. Students are in a regular classroom for the remainder of their day.

• GATE ELA is a daily resource class taught by a gifted specialist (grades 4-5). This class is superior cognitive ability service provided in the context of reading and writing and takes place during small group/volume of reading time. Students participate in the reading and writing class in their regular classroom and the GATE ELA class. To be eligible, a student must be identified as gifted in superior cognitive ability.

Students currently enrolled in GATE 3 or GATE 4 will continue at their current buildings next year for GATE.

2025-2026 GATE Class Locations:

• Goshen Lane - serving Chapelfield, Goshen Lane, Lincoln, and Royal Manor

• High Point - serving Blacklick, High Point, and Jefferson

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 reading or math or superior cognitive ability are eligible for Tier II services. Students who are eligible for GATE but decline GATE services may participate in Tier II services at their school.

Notice of Eligibility

Rising 1st through 5th grade students will receive confirmation of gifted identifications and notification of any service eligibility, if applicable, around the time of Spring Break. 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 any spring gifted testing.

Giftedness often comes with behaviors and traits that can be easily mistaken for those associated with a number of disabilities and disorders. Intense focus and struggle with transitions can be mistaken for autism. Heightened emotions can be mistaken for bipolar disorder. Perfectionism can be mistaken for obsessive compulsive disorder. The trouble with a misdiagnosis is that the gifted person could be receiving inappropriate treatment that could even be harmful. On the other hand, there may be something beyond giftedness that needs to be supported. It is important to note that most psychologists and physicians who make these diagnoses have little, if any, training on the nature and needs of gifted individuals. They may hold misconceptions about giftedness or see some gifted traits as problems to be fixed. So, families need to educate themselves and may have to educate the professionals they turn to for help so that a proper diagnosis can be made. Be sure to check out the additional resources for more information to help with this.

The other risk is missed diagnosis. In some cases, giftedness can mask a disability and vice versa. For example, a child who has dyslexia may not show evidence of that until 3rd grade or later. They may appear to be an early reader because their high cognitive skills allow them to memorize words quickly or correctly guess unknown words based on context. But, when they begin to encounter more texts with unknown topics, they may struggle with decoding or spelling or both. Giftedness may have masked early signs of dyslexia. And, dyslexia may have masked giftedness in some areas if reading impacted test scores. (This is why it is important for even our early readers to experience Fundations in primary grades in some form.) Similar issues can occur with specific math disabilities, dyscalculia, or other needs.

If a caregiver suspects something is not quite right, they should ask questions - of the teacher, of a counselor, of a gifted specialist, of a doctor or psychologist. They can explore the resources below for more information to help them advocate for their child to get the appropriate support that aligns with their true needs. The first step is starting a conversation with a professional and continuing to educate themselves - and the professionals - as needed.

Additional articles and podcasts:

• Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children (article)

• SENG (check out their SENG Library under Resources for a wealth of articles on giftedness and a variety of co-existing issues)

• Uniquely Gifted Resources for Twice Exceptional Children

• Tips for Selecting the Right Counselor or Therapist for Your Gifted Child

• Finding a Gifted Therapist for Your Child

• 2E or Not 2E (Podcast)

This newsletter is sent to families of all GJPS students identified a gifted in one or more areas, even if not receiving gifted services. We hope it is informative to all.