Welcome to CVE's Gifted and Talented site.
Here, you will find GT announcements and resources.
Feel free to contact CVE's GT Facilitator, Mary Smith, at [email protected] or 303-387-8816
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).
2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)the weeks of February 5th and 12th. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing
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If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
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NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
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Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked CVE Referral Form.
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Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
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If your child is in grades 3, 4, 5 and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
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NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
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Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked CVE Referral Form.
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Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
If you would like your child to be considered for Gifted and Talented programming, please fill out the CVE Referral Form.
NOTE: Completing this referral form WILL NOT initiate the CogAT assessment.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
"Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counseling in order for them to develop optimally." (The Columbus Group, 1991).
Gifted Education Referral Testing
Guidelines for Identifying Students as Gifted Learners
All Douglas County Schools adhere to the guidelines put forth by the Colorado Department of Education regarding identifying students as gifted learners. Once a student is identified as a gifted learner in a particular area of learning, we work collaboratively with the parents and student to write an Advanced Learning Plan for the student.
It is important to note that we use a body of evidence to identify students as gifted learners. The CogAT test is just one of these pieces of evidence. We need to have evidence from 3 of 4 categories:
Helpful GT Links
Colorado Department of Education Office of Gifted Education (link)
DCSD Gifted Website (link)
Gifted Associations (links)
Gifted Organization (links)
Social Emotional GT Links
Self Advocacy - NAGC Tip Sheet
Self Advocacy for Gifted Teens and Tweens
Helping Gifted Students Cope with Perfectionism
Gifted Students and Perfectionism
Underachievement - NAGC
Meeting the Needs of Gifted Underachievers
Who is the Gifted Underachiever?
Identifying and Motivating Underachievers
Many Ages at Once - Psychology Today
Where Can I Find a Friend?
Why Can’t They Loosen Up? Intensities of Gifted Youth
The Intensities of Giftedness
The Gifts of Being Emotionally Intense
The Burden of Multipotentiality