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Newport News Public Schools
3. Determination of Services (8VAC20-40-60A.3)
This section describes the process of determining appropriate educational services for
identified K-12 students.
General Intellectual Aptitude
Student strengths are documented on the eligibility profile, encompassing test scores, grades, teacher
and family rating scales, and other available performance indicators. Once a student is identified as
gifted or potentially gifted, the division-level identification and placement committee determine the
most suitable gifted program for the student.
● Explorers Talent Development Program (K-1): Collaboration between Gifted Resource
Teachers and kindergarten and first grade teachers is integral to the development of students'
talents. Throughout the year, Gifted Resource Teachers will provide teachers with
enrichment lessons designed to demonstrate gifted characteristics and higher-level thinking
skills. Gifted Resource Teachers are also available to model enrichment lessons enriching the
learning experience as part of the Talent Development Program with the goal of developing a
talent pipeline for the Expedition Program (Grade 2). Gifted Resource Teachers will then
collaborate with kindergarten and first grade teachers to identify students who demonstrate
gifted characteristics, higher level thinking and problem-solving skills. Observation tools and
referral paperwork are available and should be submitted to the Gifted Services Department
at the end of the school year. These students will create a pool of potential students for
referral in first grade for gifted assessment for the Expedition Program beginning in second
grade.
● Expedition Program (2nd grade): Collaboration between Gifted Resource Teachers and
second grade teachers is integral to the development of students' talents. In second grade, the
program includes pull-out sessions. Lessons/units are focused on higher-level and analytical
thinking skills, creativity, research, Socratic seminar, and the inquiry process. The
Expedition Program (2nd grade) enriches the learning experience and sets the foundation for
the 3rd-5th grade gifted program. Additionally, all second-grade students in Newport News
will undergo universal screening for gifted services. This screening process may result in
their placement in the gifted cluster program, starting in third grade.
● Grades 3-5: Depending on the results of a student’s gifted evaluation, the child may
participate in the General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) program. In grades 3-5, highly capable
students in, but not limited to, a gifted cluster classroom may be considered for a TAG Talent
Pool program. Students who demonstrate gifted characteristics, higher-level thinking and
problem-solving skills may be referred for evaluation to assess eligibility for the gifted
program. If a student is deemed eligible, they are offered placement in a gifted cluster
program.
● Grades 6-8: Identified gifted students have the option to participate in the General
Intellectual Aptitude program. The Gifted Services Department collaborates with middle
school students to determine appropriate coursework levels and the sequence of advanced
classes.
● Grades 9-12: The Gifted Services Department collaborates with high school students to
determine suitable levels of coursework, including advanced or honors classes, Advanced
Placement classes, and may recommend application to programs like the Governor’s School
for Science and Technology, the International Baccalaureate Program, Dual Enrollment,
Local Plan for the Education of the Gifted
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