Content Classes
Four GT Content Area Classes are available:
Math
English
Science
Social Studies
GT Program Courses — Math, Science, Social Studies, English Curriculum and instruction in GT classes will be differentiated to meet the needs of advanced learners.
- Content differentiation, or what students learn, will be more in-depth, require more prior knowledge, and instruction will be faster paced.
- Process differentiation, or how students learn, will require that students complete more independent background reading and participate more frequently in analytical and evaluative activities.
- Product differentiation, or demonstrating what students have learned, will require that students complete higher level and more in-depth products to show their mastery of the curriculum.
Eligible students who test in or who are placed in through the *placement review process can choose to participate in one, two, three, or all four classes. The number of classes in which eligible students participate greatly depends on the individual child. While, it is very appropriate for some 6th graders to participate in all four classes of eligibility, it is also it is appropriate for other students to choose to participate in selected classes that are of the greatest interest. Eligibility to participate in a class extend to 8th grade. Therefore, a child who is eligible to participate in all four GT classes, may select to participate in G/T English and math in 6th grade, and may choose to add G/T science as a 7th grader and add GT social studies as an 8th grader.
* Students must test into a GT content area class and/or participate in the formal placement review process BEFORE being placed in a G/T content area class. Please see the Testing and Placement link on the top of the page under the heading "Program Information" for a more detailed explanation.
CONTENT AREA CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
MATH:
An accelerated and enriched sequence that follows a curriculum at least two years above the general education curriculum.
6th Grade: Pre-Algebra G/T
7th Grade: Algebra/Data Analysis G/T
8th Grade: Geometry G/T
ENGLISH:
An accelerated and enriched curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore complex literary works and create compositions of advanced style, vocabulary, sentence structure, tone and form.
SCIENCE:
An accelerated and enriched curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore scientific principles and engage in ongoing scientific research using an experimental design. Students begin an extensive scientific investigation in 7th grade which continues in 8th grade and culminates with a high level presentation at the Science Fair.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
An accelerated and enriched curriculum, including differentiated objectives, where students explore civic and cultural principles, engage in high level inquiries that focus on essential and related questions. Students participate in National History Day, a national social studies competition. Students work individually or in groups to conduct historical research on an annual theme. Students develop a thesis from the analysis of primary and secondary resources, develop a product, present for and authentic audience and receive feedback from history and social studies professionals.
Information from our Parent Information Night 2021
TESTING AND PLACEMENT
GT TESTING
The Gifted and Talented Education Program (G/T) includes middle school G/T classes in the following areas: mathematics, English, science, and social studies. A distinguishing characteristic of gifted education classes is that the curriculum and instruction are differentiated in the following ways:
The Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) is administered as one criterion for placement into middle school G/T content classes. The CogAT includes three independent batteries: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
Families of students new to the Howard County Public School System may request the administration of the Cognitive Ability Test.
In addition to those students whose scores fall within the CogAT eligibility ranges, students also may be recommended to participate in G/T content area classes by the school’s G/T Placement Committee. This committee meets to discuss multiple data points related to your child’s performance, including additional assessment scores, student work samples, Instructional Seminar participation, and report card grades. Families, students, or teachers may initiate this process at various points throughout middle school.
Identification for GT Classes (Only Students NEW to HCPSS) — Fall- Students who are new to Howard County will be tested, if requested, when enrolled at Lime Kiln. Parents may request GT testing at the time of registration, or by emailing the school's GT Resource Teacher, Ms. Samantha Glass; [email protected]
Any Current 6th & 7th Grade Student May Request Testing to be Considered for GT Classes during the 2019-2020 Term.
The Howard County Public School System will accept nominations to test students who are currently in 6th and 7th grades for possible participation the following year in GT classes. The nomination period isTBD. Students currently enrolled in the Howard County Public School System may be tested (and subsequently may request a placement review) once each year and will not be tested outside of the testing window.
Students NOT currently taking any GT class may be nominated by parents and/or teachers for testing.
Current GT Students Students currently taking a GT class in middle school maintain eligibility to take that class the following year and do not need to be retested for that class. However, a parent or teacher may nominate a current GT student to be tested for a new GT class that he or she currently is not taking.
THE PLACEMENT PROCESS
Placement Reviews Following Testing Results Identification for GT classes may under certain circumstances involve a placement review. Parents of students whose GT test scores do not support placement - but who consistently use and apply advanced-level abstract thinking skills to classroom activities, projects, and tests and assessments - may request a placement review. Placement reviews may be requested only after test results have been delivered to parents. Students for whom a review is requested should give evidence in their current course, through superior work and class participation, that they use outstanding abstract reasoning skills to construct thorough and well developed responses in written assignments, projects, and discussions — over and above what is expected of on-grade-level students. A written request for a placement review must be emailed or submitted to Ms. Glass.
Students who are selected for GT placement will have work samples that demonstrate that they use advanced level abstract reasoning skills in the subject; that they understand at an advanced level the relationships between the concepts presented in the materials; and that in evaluating and interpreting the material, they take a position which is supported by facts and information from the text they have read.
Parents of students new to the Howard County Public School System may initiate this review in the fall after the student has been tested for participation in GT content classes.
For information on how parents may initiate the placement review process, please download the Parent Initiation for Placement Review Process.
GT TESTING
The Gifted and Talented Education Program (G/T) includes middle school G/T classes in the following areas: mathematics, English, science, and social studies. A distinguishing characteristic of gifted education classes is that the curriculum and instruction are differentiated in the following ways:
- Challenging curriculum provides appropriate levels of rigor.
- Instruction is at an accelerated pace with an expectation of increased student independence.
- Classes focus on increased depth and complexity of content.
- Instructional strategies appropriate for highly-able students are utilized.
The Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) is administered as one criterion for placement into middle school G/T content classes. The CogAT includes three independent batteries: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
Families of students new to the Howard County Public School System may request the administration of the Cognitive Ability Test.
In addition to those students whose scores fall within the CogAT eligibility ranges, students also may be recommended to participate in G/T content area classes by the school’s G/T Placement Committee. This committee meets to discuss multiple data points related to your child’s performance, including additional assessment scores, student work samples, Instructional Seminar participation, and report card grades. Families, students, or teachers may initiate this process at various points throughout middle school.
Identification for GT Classes (Only Students NEW to HCPSS) — Fall- Students who are new to Howard County will be tested, if requested, when enrolled at Lime Kiln. Parents may request GT testing at the time of registration, or by emailing the school's GT Resource Teacher, Ms. Samantha Glass; [email protected]
Any Current 6th & 7th Grade Student May Request Testing to be Considered for GT Classes during the 2019-2020 Term.
The Howard County Public School System will accept nominations to test students who are currently in 6th and 7th grades for possible participation the following year in GT classes. The nomination period isTBD. Students currently enrolled in the Howard County Public School System may be tested (and subsequently may request a placement review) once each year and will not be tested outside of the testing window.
Students NOT currently taking any GT class may be nominated by parents and/or teachers for testing.
Current GT Students Students currently taking a GT class in middle school maintain eligibility to take that class the following year and do not need to be retested for that class. However, a parent or teacher may nominate a current GT student to be tested for a new GT class that he or she currently is not taking.
THE PLACEMENT PROCESS
Placement Reviews Following Testing Results Identification for GT classes may under certain circumstances involve a placement review. Parents of students whose GT test scores do not support placement - but who consistently use and apply advanced-level abstract thinking skills to classroom activities, projects, and tests and assessments - may request a placement review. Placement reviews may be requested only after test results have been delivered to parents. Students for whom a review is requested should give evidence in their current course, through superior work and class participation, that they use outstanding abstract reasoning skills to construct thorough and well developed responses in written assignments, projects, and discussions — over and above what is expected of on-grade-level students. A written request for a placement review must be emailed or submitted to Ms. Glass.
Students who are selected for GT placement will have work samples that demonstrate that they use advanced level abstract reasoning skills in the subject; that they understand at an advanced level the relationships between the concepts presented in the materials; and that in evaluating and interpreting the material, they take a position which is supported by facts and information from the text they have read.
Parents of students new to the Howard County Public School System may initiate this review in the fall after the student has been tested for participation in GT content classes.
For information on how parents may initiate the placement review process, please download the Parent Initiation for Placement Review Process.
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