Hopkins County Schools

Gifted and Talented Services Header

Purpose
Consistent with 704 KAR 3:285, the purpose of The Hopkins County Department of Services for Gifted and Talented is to identify and to provide educational services for approximately 10% of the student population whose abilities and talents are believed to be significantly more advanced than those of their age and peer group. The department takes into consideration students who may be underachieving, students with disabilities, and students from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds.

Primary Talent Pool
Informally selected students in grades K-3 will be observed as they progress through the primary program. No formal testing or evaluation must take place at this stage, and students exiting the primary program may or may not qualify for gifted/talented services when formal identification occurs in grade 4. After formal identification, students receive services consistent with their individual needs, interests, and abilities, based upon continuous assessment.

Areas of Gifted/Talented Service and Eligibility Requirements
Note: Normed scores in the ninth stanine for intellectual ability and academic aptitude represent an arbitrary way of identifying high-potential students, but the presence or absence of these criteria alone is insufficient to formally identify for or exclude a student from services.

(Grades 4-12)

General Intellectual Ability
Requires at least two pieces of supporting data in addition to either a score of 96-99%ile on a nationally-normed test of intellectual ability, or a cognitive skills indicator score of 128 or above.
Specific Academic Aptitude: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Requires at least two pieces of supporting data in addition to a score of 96-99%ile on a nationally normed test in a specific academic subject.
Creativity: Creative and Divergent Thinking Ability
Requires at least three pieces of supporting data from a list of ten possible options available from GT Coordinators in each school building.
Leadership
Requires at least three pieces of supporting data from a list of ten possible options available from GT Coordinators in each school building.
Visual/Performing Arts: Art, Dance, Drama, Music (Vocal and/or Instrumental)
Requires at least three pieces of supporting data from a list of ten possible options available from GT Coordinators in each school building.

The Identification Process
The district and local schools work together to compile data supporting student eligibility for gifted/talented services. While this data usually comes from teachers and standardized tests, recommendations and support materials may also come from parents/guardians, peers, or a student's self-nomination by petition.

A local school committee reviews recommendations and decides upon service provisions. The committee's composition includes appropriate faculty qualified to assess talents and abilities in areas relevant to each case.

Services
Teachers, local school administrators, and the district work together to provide services through a variety of activities suited to the specific needs and interests of students. Activities may include but are not limited to the differentiation of instruction in the regular classroom, enrichment, collaborative teaching among faculty, consultation, independent study, intensive workshops, and advanced curriculum. Educators across Hopkins County recognize the need to provide opportunities for growth and development for all students relative to their abilities, interests, and needs.

Pull-Out/Collaboration
Eligible students in grades 4-12 may be selected for participation in a short-term pull-out or collaborative service with GT Resource Teachers. Although pull-out activities can result in missing scheduled classes, students who participate explore curriculum and/or resources unavailable in the regular classroom setting. Specific services vary from individual to individual and from school to school.

Hopkins County Schools Talent Show Series
Students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in talent shows held at their local schools.
Outstanding performers may be eligible for further services based upon their interests and abilities, usually as guest performers at schools throughout the district. The talent show series culminates in the District Talent Show in April of each year, where winners from local schools are invited to compete for district honors at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in Madisonville, Kentucky. The district event is sponsored by the Madisonville Community College Lions Club.

Personnel
District Coordinator for Gifted and Talented Education: Dr. Andy Belcher, Assistant Superintendent
Gifted and Talented Consultants: Lindsay Arnett, Elementary & Kathy Carver, Secondary

Local School GT Coordinators
From each local school, an employee serves as a coordinator for gifted/talented education, facilitating communication among teachers, administrators, parents, and the local community.

Browning Springs Middle School: Cassandra Crowley
Grapevine Elementary School: Susan Brown
Hanson Elementary School: Dawn Moore & Amy Mullins
Hopkins County Central High School: Dana Cain
James Madison Middle School: Tara Cardwell
Jesse Stuart Elementary School: Megan Durbin & Melanie Hofmann
Madisonville North Hopkins High School: Suzanne Duncan
Pride Elementary School: Sarah Neathery
South Hopkins Middle School: Andrea Browning
Southside Elementary School: Al Courington
West Broadway Elementary School: Morgan Russell
West Hopkins School: Deanna Brown