Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented services are provided to identified students in kindergarten through grade eight. Services are integrated into the regular academic programming in kindergarten through third grade, and transition to a pull-out program in grades three and above. Services are offered each year on a continual basis once a child has been identified and accepted into the program.

Multiple assessment measures are utilized in order to identify student strengths in intellectual ability, creativity, and/or a specific academic area. To ensure equal access to a continuum of gifted and talented education services, all students are administered the Measurement of Academic Progress assessment, which serves as both a universal screener and one of multiple data points in the identification process. The identification process includes consideration of all students, including those who are English language learners and those with Individualized Education or 504 plans. Students who have been identified as G&T receive curricular and instructional modifications in the areas of content, process, products, and learning environment. This programming is implemented through collaborative lessons planned with the regular education teacher and the G&T specialist, pull-out lessons and programming from the specialist, and additional programming options as possible and needed (field trips, assemblies, speakers, etc.). G&T students are provided with schedule accommodations that allow for the time and resources needed to develop, review, and enhance their instructional tools and skills with modifications for helping gifted and talented students acquire and demonstrate mastery of the required standards and curriculum.

The Montvale Public School District, in accordance with state guidelines, has implemented the following Identification process to identify students eligible to receive Extra Academic Enrichment (EAE) services.

Eligibility Criteria

• Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) - Universally administered in grades 1-8 within the first 30 days of school.  Kindergarten screening assessment is administered in K to universally screen all students prior to the start of each school year.

Additional testing and data collection to determine eligibility commences after a student scores exceptionally high on the MAP, or though a teacher nomination or self (parent) nomination for the program (see below).  If necessary, the following assessments and data sources will be administered/retrieved:    

• Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale
• NJSLA Scores
• Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT)

Assessment/rating scores will be compiled and an eligibility determination will be made.  Parents will be notified of the outcome of the process regardless of program eligibility.  

Self Nomination - should a parent wish to self-nominate their child(ren) for the program, a written request should be made to Mrs. Janice Raimondi, Grades 5-8 (jraimondi@montvalek8.org), or Mrs. Amy Hasenecz, Grades K-4 (ahasenecz@montvalek8.org), Gifted and Talented Specialists, to begin the process.