Identification & Continuum of Services

Identification Criteria:

All students are considered for Gifted & Talented services. Students are identified for Gifted & Talented services by looking at the child as a whole, using the following criteria as a guideline:

Ability Measures

Scores 2 standard deviations above the mean (130 or higher), or in the 96th percentile or above on standardized test(s) measuring ability. Examples of such assessments are listed below. 

  • Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
  • Full-scale IQ test, if available
  • Slosson Intelligence Test

Achievement Measures

Scores in the “Exceeding Expectations” (EE) range on district common assessments and benchmarks. Examples of these criteria are listed below.

  • Reading Level/Placement Test
  • Writing Benchmarks (On Demand/Cold Write assignments)
  • Math Benchmarks

Please note that scores on the assessments listed above may or may not reflect report card grades.

Standardized achievement test scores, such as the NJ Student Learning Assessment, can be used to confirm placement.

Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (Recommendation)

Scores 2 standard deviations above the mean, or in the 95th percentile or above, on the teacher-completed, norm-referenced behavioral rating scales listed below. 

  • Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) General Intellectual Ability subscale
  • Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) Creativity subscale

Parents will be notified via letter if their child is identified for Gifted & Talented services. If you believe your child meets the criteria for Gifted & Talented services listed above, but has not been identified for services, please contact the Supervisor of Gifted & Talented Education ([email protected]). Parent requests for re-consideration must be received prior to August 15 each year.

The Cognitive Abilities test (CogAT) is administered to all students in grades 2 and 5 annually. If a student has not taken the CogAT and meets at least 4 of the 6 measures used in the district achievement measures and/or the Scales for Identifying Gifted Students, the child’s parent or guardian will be contacted and a CogAT will be administered to that student.

 

Continuum of Services:

Services Offered

Responsibility

Population Served

Description

Classroom-Based Differentiated Instruction & Enrichment

Classroom Teachers

Students in Grades PreK-12

Teachers customize instruction, activities, and assessments to meet the needs of all learners. The district supports Universal Design for Learning with strategies for differentiation. Examples of differentiation would be challenging learners with higher level texts based on reading levels, project based assignments to showcase mastery with content and skills, and small group instruction in ELA and Math.

Cluster Grouping 

Classroom Teachers

Students in Grades K-8

Students that have been identified as Gifted and Talented may be clustered in a classroom for small group instruction. This allows teachers to provide for more challenging activities during small group instruction in ELA and Math. 

Gifted and Talented Enrichment

Classroom Teachers 

Students in Grades 3-8 

Students that meet the identification criteria are selected to participate in Gifted and Talented pull-out enrichment class at Delran Intermediate School and Delran Middle School. Students complete activities and  projects that focus on higher level thinking skills and problem solving in the areas of STEM and the Humanities. 

Gifted & Talented Seminar Classroom Teachers Students in Grades 9-12 Delran High School offers an honors-level, semester elective course for students who meet the criteria for participation in the Gifted & Talented program. 


Although not part of the Gifted & Talented education programming, Delran Schools offers accelerated, Honors, and AP level courses. The eligibility criteria for the accelerated, Honors, and AP courses is separate from the eligibility criteria for Gifted & Talented education, and is based on academic performance data points. Students identified for Gifted & Talented education services may or may not also qualify for accelerated, Honors, and AP level courses.

Accelerated Math

Classroom Teachers

Students in Grades 4-8

Accelerated Math delivers the mathematics curriculum at an accelerated pace and focuses on high levels of rigor critical thinking skills in the area of mathematics for those students that qualify. The Accelerated Math courses compact the mathematics curriculum with the overall goal of preparing students for Honors and Advanced Placement courses in mathematics in high school. Students must meet criteria for placement in accelerated courses.

Accelerated ELA

Classroom Teachers

Students in Grades 6-8

Accelerated ELA focuses on high levels of rigor and promotes critical thinking skills in the areas of reading and writing for students that qualify. Some methods that may be used by teachers include book clubs that infuse choice at higher reading levels and classroom instruction that promotes critical thinking skills, collaboration with peers, and open-ended questions and assignments. The goal of accelerated courses is to prepare students for Honors and Advanced Placement courses in high school. Students must meet criteria for placement in accelerated courses.

Honors and Advanced Placement  Classroom Teachers  Students in Grades 9-12  Delran Township School District offers a variety of Honors and Advanced Placement courses for students in grades 9-12. Students must meet criteria which can be found in the Delran High School Program of Studies.

Process for questions, concerns, or complaints regarding compliance with the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act under NJ 18A:35-38: Please refer to Delran BOE Regulation 9130, Section D.
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