A New System For Identifying Gifted Education – My New Pursuit and Passion

It is 3 am here in Denver Sunday morning. I crashed hard last night after the third day of absorbing so many great ideas. I need to write up a general reflection of the conference separate from this post, but one of the great things about this conference is the connections that are formed.

I met the amazing Ginger Lewman after checking out one of her poster sessions. I stuck around a bit and next thing you know we had a great conversation that lasted 40 minutes. What came out of this conversation was an idea I have had for screening for gifted students and her excitement and dialogue has prompted me to actually pursue this idea more. It was the kickstart I needed. I walked away with that burning desire to start NOW! You know that feeling right? The one where you cannot focus on any other idea or aspect of life until it is resolved. Hence the reason I am typing this up at 3 am. I have to get my ideas down.

Here is the basic breakdown of the idea. I am sharing this here on my blog as well as on a Google Document because I would love input, insight, and suggestions. This is a rough sketch at best. There is much work to be done(perhaps I will pursue the PHD/dissertation with this idea!)

Overlying Issue With Identification

I know that everyone screens a bit different based on state and district requirements, resources, community needs, and availability to data, but in my experience where I teach the screening process has become a stressful time in the lives of the kids. We have a system in place that people realize what we are doing and why certain things are being done. To keep data accurate and measurable we bring our screening pool together and test all of them together for CoGAT and some writing samples. You can cut the stress in the air with a knife. Some could care less. Some don’t want to do any of the process. Some cry. Some fidget.I started to ask myself if there could be a better way. Are we really getting the data and information we need?

The first and most important aspect of screening should be to eliminate any additional stress. I want the system in place to be fun so we really get to the “real” student.

How Do We Eliminate Stress?

My vision is a one day screening process that is inviting and fun. A whole day devoted to watching the student interact with various stimuli and other peers. Students would have this day full of little mini challenges while several people are making notes and observations looking for key pieces of information.

In order for the stress to be reduced I think the key piece in all of this is that nowhere during the day do students see adults taking notes or marking rubrics. We would have to develop a system where there is a common flow of trained people coming in and out of the location so that when one mini session ends those people could go to a separate room and make notes and evaluations.

I still don’t get what you are saying?

We want students are wanting to learn and NEED a place to have their needs met. We would start with an application process where students are nominated by teachers, parents, themselves, and/or friends. There would be no requirement of a certain test score to be nominated. This is the start. This would tell us who we should be really focusing on. This allows us to not miss anyone who might be poor test takers. Numbers never tell the whole story.

After we have the applications we start to assemble a profile page. We could gather basic info like

• Basic Information (application)
• Records/Attendance
• Why they should be screened/reasons?
• Support and Proof
• Have a few required pieces such as test scores, report cards, etc.
• Give student freedom to submit whatever they want
• Parent Interview
• Teacher Interview/Evaluation Form
• Classroom observation

Issues

The first issue is that this is a big undertaking, but if I can create a system where everything is created that would help out immensely(hence my new project!). This is not easy because it does take time, but I really feel that we would gain so much more information that any test cannot always provide. The tests are important and will play a part in the process, but we need to spend more time with the kids.

The second issue that I foresee is that this is something that you just throw together quickly. If you have move in students how do you screen them in a timely fashion? Clear protocols will have to be developed and perhaps a small scale version could be created for this very purpose.

Where do I go from here?

I need help and guidance. So many of you are much brighter and well versed in education research, materials, and lingo. I need to develop a group willing to help me piece together the right materials, observation forms, stations and challenges, etc.

I really feel that this could be the change needed. It needs some serious work, but if done right…….WOW!

Feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, concerns. My goal is to begin to construct this idea in more detail and specifics over the next few months. I will keep everyone updated.

Here is the link to the Google Document which is a copy of this blog post – Feel free to go in and edit, modify, make suggestions, etc. Mark it up with your insights!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17nKYKQW-fTSf5PIP1h2bevjrhJi2s45iN-QfNQ9-UBA/edit