Gifted & Talented Program
In compliance with N.J.A.C 6A:8-3.1, Passaic County Technical Vocational School District provides enrichment opportunities for students seeking to engage in additional activities and learning opportunities beyond that of the general curriculum. The NJDOE defines gifted students as: "Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities."
Passaic County Technical Vocational School District provides adjustment and/or modification to instruction enabling a student who is gifted and talented to participate in, benefit from, and demonstrate knowledge and application of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in one or more content areas at the instructional level of the student, not just the student’s grade level.
The process to identify gifted and talented students includes multiple measures in order to identify student strengths in intellectual ability, creativity, or a specific academic area. The identification process shall include consideration of all students, including those who are English language learners and those with Individualized Education Programs or Section 504 Plans.
Multi-Tier Systems of Support
MTSS is organized into levels, which include additional levels of support as the need warrants. All students are eligible to receive Tier I support through the differentiation of instructional materials, resources, and assessments and those interested in additional enrichment do so through clubs, extracurricular activities, and small group learning opportunities through organized enrichment programs. Those seeking additional enrichment opportunities can do so through the before and after school programs, through self-selected honors or AP classes, and through Career & Technical Student Organizations Enrichment Programs.
Identification of Gifted & Talented Students
Students are identified through a variety of assessments to determine eligibility to the district's Gifted and Talented program:
- NJSLA assessment data
- IReady diagnostic and benchmark assessments
- Canvas Mastery
- Trimester grades
- Teacher recommendation
Upon the analysis of this data, parents are then notified of their child's eligibility and will make the final determination whether their child participates in the Gifted and Talented program. Participation is not required.
It is important to note that each student's academic journey can take many paths, most of which are not linear. Student growth and development can ebb and flow depending on many factors. Therefore, eligibility to participate in the program may change from year to year and from subject to subject.
The following data is used to assess student placement in enriched, honors, or Advanced Placement courses:
- NJSLA Assessments
- Marking period and final exam grades
- Canvas Mastery
- Teacher recommendation
- I-Ready diagnostic
- Enrichment Program Participation - Career & Technical Student Organizations
- Sending school districts and parents from past acceptance in G&T programs
Recommendations for enriched, honors, or AP placement occur primarily through conversations with the school counselors, parents, and the students. Students who meet the G&T criteria will be selected for the G&T program and have the ability to join any of the district's Career & Technical Student Organizations.