Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented

New Jersey Administrative Code regulation (N.J.A.C. 18A:35-34) commonly referred to as the
“Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education defines a Gifted and talented student as,
“... a student who possesses or demonstrates a high level of ability in one or more content areas when
compared to his chronological peers in the school district and who requires modifications of his
educational program if he is to achieve in accordance with his capabilities.”
The regulations require students to be compared to their chronological peers in the district. New
Jersey does not have state-level criteria such as mandated tests or assessments, grade point
averages, or IQ scores. Local school districts must use multiple measures to identify students.

The Totowa Public Schools may identify students by the following criteria:

• Standardized Test Scores - InView, NJSLA, Start Strong, etc.
• Reading Inventories
• Final Averages
• Benchmark Assessments
• Student Portfolios and Assessments
• Performances
• Staff Observations of Students

Timeline

• Students are identified at the start of the school year (September/October) and the end of
the school year in June.

District Policy for Gifted and Talented Students

• Link to Policy 

Curriculum & Continuum of Services offered to Gifted and Talented Students

• https://www.totowa.k12.nj.us/CURRICULUM/
• Teachers differentiate instruction to support the needs of all learners. Staff customize
  instruction, activities, and assessments to support the academic growth and development
  of all learners. Examples of differentiation would be challenging learners with higher
  level texts based on reading levels, project-based assignments and/or projects to
  demonstrate mastery with content and skills, and small group instruction in ELA and
  Math.
• In grades 5-8, the district offers accelerated (advanced) classes in Reading (ELA) and
  Math. Students in advanced math in 8th grade are enrolled in Algebra 1.
• Students may also participate in school clubs, activities, and self-directed academic
  activities for gifted/advanced learners.

Complaint Process

Any person or group having a legitimate interest in the schools of the Totowa School District
and who believes the district has not complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 et seq.
may file a complaint.

The Board of Education directs the establishment of procedures for resolving all complaints
fairly and impartially. The complaint should be addressed to the Chief School Administrator
who shall establish procedures for the hearing of complaints.

Procedures will be governed by the following guidelines:

1. The matter will be resolved initially, wherever possible, by informal discussions between or
among the interested parties.

2. A matter that cannot be resolved informally may be appealed at successive levels of
authority, up to and including the Board of Education.

3. The complaint and its immediate resolution will be reduced to writing at the first and each
successive level of appeal.

4. A reasonable period of time, not to exceed ten (10) calendar days, will be permitted for the
filing of an appeal in writing at each successive level. A decision at each level of appeal must be
rendered in writing no later than twenty (20) calendar days after the appeal is filed.

Parent Resources

• New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC)
• Gifted Child Society
• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

Downloadable Files