LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GIFTED PROGRAM

The Litchfield Elementary School District is dedicated to the task of providing challenging programs appropriate for all ability levels. Specialized instruction will be provided to serve the needs of gifted students. Litchfield Elementary School District ensures that classrooms are responsive to the unique needs of diverse gifted learners and ensures a positive classroom environment that values and honors each student’s unique learning style. The program complies with the Arizona Law that mandates that school districts identify gifted students as those scoring at the 97th percentile or above on any one of the three batteries of the Cognitive Abilities Test or on any other state approved appropriate test administered by Litchfield Elementary District personnel for placement.

Benefits of Gifted Education
•    Challenges children to reach their potential
•    Promotes academic rigor
•    Develops and maintains an interest in school
•    Improves creativity and problem-solving abilities
•    Broadens experiences and horizons
•    Creates a positive atmosphere for learning
•    Provides appropriate pacing
•    Allows for association with children of similar interests and abilities
•    Encourages active participation
•    Provides a context for application of classroom learning to real life Problem-solving.

Elementary School students will receive gifted support services in their classroom with instruction that provides opportunities to grow academically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally according to their abilities and talents. Gifted students are served by Cluster Grouping. Susan Winebrenner, international expert of the gifted learner and author of Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom, provides a model of support for our designated teachers of the gifted. Ongoing professional development will provide support to these designated teachers as they challenge our gifted students in the classroom.

Middle School students will receive service through the Honor’s program. Each student must complete the application process. An application is available in the front office of each middle school. Students will be with their Honor peers during all academic content areas. Honor’s program teachers receive ongoing training using the research-based practices of Susan Winebrenner, international expert of the gifted learner and author of Differentiating Content for Gifted Learners in Grades 6–12. 

Updated Gifted Scope and Sequence information.

 

Gifted Program Parent Information

LESD Gifted Email Group

The purpose of this email group is to maintain communication with parents of identified gifted students in the Litchfield Elementary School District. 

Click here to join email group

The LESD October 17, 2019 Gifted Student/Parent Night presentations are below.

Understanding Your Child's Cognitive Ability

Tips and Ideas for Gifted Students

Setting the Stage for A Growth Mindset

Mindset-The Voice Inside Your Head

Tips to Help Develop A Growth Mindset in Kids

Underachievement in Gifted Students

Resources to Help Your Gifted Child Thrive

February 20, 2020 Gifted Student/Parent Night

Who:  Parents of identified LESD gifted students in grades K-8 and their children in grades K-8

When:  Thursday, February 20th from 6:15-8:00 p.m. 

Where:  Litchfield Elementary School Cafeteria

Upcoming Gifted Opportunities

Resources for Educators & Parents During COVID-19 (from NAGC)

These resources, which may be updated on an ongoing basis, may be accessed using the links below. 

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has compiled a series of online resources to support educators and parents as schools are impacted due safety concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The following is from the NAGC website:

NAGC seeks to provide information to educators, parents, caregivers, and mental health providers who are supporting gifted children during this unprecedented time. NAGC has turned to trusted partners, such as state gifted associations, publishing partners, and/or leaders within the gifted community, for recommended resources. However, the information provided here, except those resources published by NAGC, have not been vetted by the association, nor should they be viewed as an endorsement or as approved by NAGC.

The NAGC is neither associated with nor endorsed by The Litchfield Elementary School District.

You will also find updated gifted education news and resources for teachers, administrators and parents of gifted learners at www.azed.gov/gifted-education/ 

Parent Request for Gifted Testing

Parents can request that their child be tested for the Gifted program. If you would like your child tested, please fill out the form provided on the link below and turn it in to the school where you child attends.  The Gifted Coordinator at your school will then test your child during one of the three regular testing periods.

 

Click on the link for the form, Parent Permission for Gifted Testing Form

Elementary Gifted

This section provides information about the Gifted program in the Elementary Schools.

Please click on the links below for helpful information about Cluster Grouping.

Gifted Cluster Information

FAQ About Cluster Grouping

Serving Gifted Students in Lean Financial Times

Middle School Gifted

Middle School Gifted Students are serviced through the Honor's Program.  Gifted students, as well as other highly performing and motivated students, must apply to be in this program. 

Please see the file below for more information on this program.

Middle School Honor's Program

The files below contain the Parent Handbook for Gifted students.

Gifted Coordinators

Gifted Screening Procedures

Gifted Handbook - Arizona Legislation