This page uses extracted PDF text. Text can misread numbers, dates or table columns. Check the PDF before quoting or interpreting it. Redacted areas remain redacted.
Newport News Public Schools
● The ongoing process of screening students for Gifted Services in Newport News involves
a multi-faceted approach, with information available on the NNPS website and referral
forms accessible in all schools or through the Gifted Services Department. To identify
candidates in grades K-5, the Gifted Services Department annually collaborates with
classroom teachers.
● Professional development sessions are conducted by the Gifted Services Department
representatives to educate staff on the referral process, identification procedures, and
characteristics of gifted students. Training methods encompass teacher observation,
rating scales, and workshops focusing on gifted traits. Gifted vignettes including those of
culturally and diverse learners will be shared with individuals as part of the referral
process. All teachers of the gifted are mandated to complete Canvas modules covering
gifted competencies. These modules are available to all NNPS staff.
● The K-2 Gifted Services Equity Initiative aims to address historical disparities in referral
and identification rates by focusing on schools with lower referral rates. This
comprehensive initiative involves the Gifted Services Department staff in various
activities, including observations, co-teaching, modeling creativity lessons, and
collaborating with classroom teachers. The primary goal is to identify and refer students
for screening, particularly those from cultural, linguistic, and lower socio-economic
backgrounds, as well as potentially twice-exceptional students. To ensure a holistic
approach, the Gifted Services Department collaborates with the ELL Department to
gather data on students exiting ELL services who may exhibit characteristics of cultural
and linguistic gifted learners. Additionally, there is collaboration with school staff and the
Special Education and Student Support Services Department to identify potentially twice-
exceptional students. Letters and forms are also translated into a variety of languages for
families. The Gifted Services Department also uses the NNPS approved language line to
communicate with families as well as translation devices at the school level. Gifted
vignettes on culturally and diverse learners will be shared with individuals as part of the
referral process. This multi-faceted approach underscores the initiative's commitment to
promoting equity and inclusivity in gifted education.
● 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. The Explorers Talent Development Program (K-1), includes push-in
sessions or whole-class lessons across the district focused on higher-level thinking skills,
enriching the learning experience as part of the Talent Development Program with the
goal of developing a talent pipeline for the second grade Expedition Program.
● 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 enriches the learning experience and sets the foundation for the
3rd-5th grade gifted program.
● To ensure inclusivity in the screening pool, all second graders undergo a universal
screener aptitude test in the fall (NNAT). Students scoring in the high average range
(69% or above) on the aptitude test receive an evaluation for possible placement in the
Gifted Services Program. This evaluation includes an aptitude test, family evaluation,
Local Plan for the Education of the Gifted
7Jump to an indexed page (31 of 31)