It is the mission of the Hortonville Area School District and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) to ensure that all students learn at the highest level.

GATE is viewed as comprehensive services which are integrated within the district mission, not a separate entity. As part of HASD’s RTI framework, we address, “What will we do when students already know it?” Gifted students will be provided opportunities to extend their academic, intellectual, leadership, artistic, and/or creativity needs. This requires utilizing a variety of curriculum delivery strategies and resources. Differentiated classroom instruction will be the primary means to appropriately challenge students. Program options such as enrichment and curriculum extensions will help develop student potential. The district recognizes the unique social and emotional needs of gifted students and will provide support in accordance with their needs. We serve gifted students in partnership with parents and the community.

The Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) defines giftedness as: “pupils enrolled in public schools who give evidence of high performance capability in intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership or specific academic areas and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided in a regular school program in order to fully develop such capabilities.” They are students who, because of advanced skills and or depth of understanding, stand out well above their peers. Identification for GATE is ongoing, consistent and equitable. Multiple measures and identification tools are used to ensure that students are identified appropriately and accurately.

Our district is built on the fundamental belief that all children have gifts, however; some children have exceptional academic gifts or talents that require additional or differentiated support. HASD provides this support through an environment that accommodates students’ differences and offers an array of educational opportunities.

Objectives

• Identify gifted students using multiple criteria
• Provide high quality differentiated learning opportunities that address specific abilities and talents
• Provide exploration and the pursuit of challenging opportunities within and beyond the curriculum
• Exhibit sensitivity to sub-groups that may be under-identified: ethnic minorities, twice-exceptional learners, non-native English speakers, and students with different cultural norms
• Monitor student progress to provide a continuum of services
• Build a collaborative relationship with teachers and parents where resources and support are provided
• Evaluate to continuously improve the effectiveness of GATE in the district

Steps in Meeting Learner Needs

Step One: Screening and/or Nomination
The screening step of the identification process may be triggered by assessments, classroom observations, parent request, or student request.

Step Two: Eligibility
The GATE resource specialist will review data and collaborate with the School Intervention Team and classroom teachers to determine programming needs. GATE resource specialists will communicate with the parents and student.

Step Three: Program Options/Services
The student’s needs are matched with appropriate and available program options.

Curriculum and Instruction

The needs of our GATE learners vary greatly and for that reason the programming for each learner may include a unique set of components. Classroom teachers, resource specialists, and other school personnel work collaboratively to plan and provide learning experiences that meet the needs of gifted students.

HASD Programming to meet individual student needs:

• Classroom differentiation
• Compacted Math in grades 6-8
• Subject or grade-level accelerations
• Cluster classes (students of similar readiness levels are grouped together)
• Middle School Special Events: Career and College Readiness Events, College Day for Kids, STEAM Day, etc.
• Local and regional competitions
• Dual enrollment/course waivers
• Youth Options (11th and 12th grade students who have exhausted the district offerings in a subject may apply to take the next course at a college and the district pays the tuition.)
• Honors and Advanced Placement Courses and CAPP Classes, etc.
• Internships
• Middle School Club Opportunities: Lego League, HEY (Health Empowered Youth) Group, Math Team, Book Club, Art Club, Student Council, WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Leaders, etc.
• High School Club Opportunities

Helpful Links

National Association for the Gifted Children

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is an organization of parents, teachers, educators, other professionals, and community leaders who unite to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences.

Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted

Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) is a non-profit organization of parents, students, educators, business and industry personnel, and other interested persons who are dedicated to fostering a climate in the home, school, and community that allows each individual to reach his or her unique potential. WATG maintains a statewide Board of Directors, representing educators, school administrators, parents, business, and higher education. The organization was formed in 1993, and is the result of the merging of two former organizations, WAEGT and WCGT, which had been functioning since 1973. WATG?s mission is to provide assistance in meeting the varied needs of gifted and talented individuals and their advocates. We believe that the opportunity for maximizing human potential is both a right and a necessity. Therefore, our outreach efforts - educational opportunities, resources, and ongoing support - reflect our commitment to this goal.

Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG)

SENG is dedicated to fostering environments in which gifted adults and children, in all their diversity, understand and accept themselves and are understood, valued, nurtured, and supported by their families, schools, workplaces and communities.

Center for Talent Development

Center for Talent Development (CTD) is housed at Northwestern University in Illinois. It is an accredited learning center and research facility that identifies, educates, and supports gifted learners. This organization is a leader in the world of gifted education.