Learners with Exceptional Academic, Artistic, Altruistic Potential
	The Gifted and Talented Program for Manchester Schools

MISSION

The mission of the Manchester School District is to provide safe, healthy, nurturing and respectful environments in which all students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to become life-long learners as well as positive and productive citizens.

In 2005, the Manchester Board of School Committee gave approval to establish the LEAP Gifted and Talented Program at five elementary schools in the District. LEAP supports this mission by creating and promoting appropriate educational opportunities for all gifted and talented learners.

DEFINITION

Gifted and talented children are those students identified as possessing demonstrated or potential abilities that give evidence of high performance in intellectual, creative, specific academic or leadership areas, or ability in the performing or visual arts and who require appropriate services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop.

Demonstrated or potential gifted behaviors exhibited through multiple intelligences can be general, affecting a broad spectrum of the child’s life, such as leadership skills, task commitment or the ability to think creatively. Some behaviors are very specific talents and are only evident in particular circumstances, such as a special aptitude in mathematics, science, or music.

Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

PHASE ONE GOAL AND INITIAL SCHOOLS

The goal of the District is to build a program in the fourth and fifth grades at a small number of elementary schools that can be applied successfully to an increasing number of schools and grade levels over time. In the Spring of 2005, students enrolled in the third, fourth and fifth grades at the following elementary schools were identified. Currently only fourth and fifth grade students are eligible to participate in phase one of the program implementation at Bakersville, Highland-Goffe’s Falls, Jewett, Parker-Varney and Webster.

IDENTIFICATION

To identify students, the school district is implementing a three-part process: nomination, screening and selection. After a teacher or parent nomination of a student, a multi-part criterion, including current standardized tests scores, teacher and parent rating scales and student work samples will be utilized to screen the students. The next step is for the LEAP screening committee to review the data and determine eligibility of each student. Upon selection, an Action Plan will be developed for each student.

IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION

The LEAP Program will focus on differentiating instruction in the regular classroom by promoting learning experiences and teaching methods that match the student’s knowledge, ability and needs through a range of individual and group activities. This is not a “pull-out” program for identified students. Providing enriching instruction using differentiation strategies within the classroom is the G/T Program’s initial plan.

For further information regarding programming and services, please contact:

Troi Hopkins, Coordinator Linda Mandra, Coordinator

LEAP Gifted and Talented Program LEAP Gifted and Talented Program

Manchester School District Manchester School District

286 Commercial Street 286 Commercial Street

thopkins@mansd.org lmandra@mansd.org

(603)624-6300 ext. 140 (603)624-6300 ext. 198