Edgewater Public Schools adheres to New Jersey State requirements:
Legal framework: The "Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act" requires districts to establish processes for identifying students with high ability in one or more content areas.
Identification: Multiple measures are used to identify students for the pull-out Enrichment program beginning in 4th grade.
Educational modifications: If a student is identified, the district must modify their educational program to meet their needs.
Students Entering Kindergarten – 3rd Grade:
The Edgewater School District is committed to enriching the learning experience of all students. In grades K–3, every student has the opportunity to be challenged and enriched through whole-class lessons.
Whole Class Push-In Instruction:
Lessons provided during whole-class push-in instruction aid in the early identification of gifted learners
Various skill levels are presented to allow observation of individual achievement of skills during early stages of development
Every student has an opportunity to show his or her potential
All students benefit from the higher-level thinking skills lessons and activities
Higher-level thinking skills presented in the enrichment program such as convergent analysis, divergent synthesis, and critical evaluation are the problem-solving strategies that are critical for all children to know and feel comfortable using throughout their lives
Students Entering Grades 4 – 6:
Currently Enrolled Students:
Eligibility for enrichment is evaluated on a yearly basis. All students enrolled in the Enrichment Program for the prior school year will be given a cognitive abilities test (CogAT) for the upcoming school year to determine continued eligibility in the program. Additional criteria that must be met for continued eligibility includes:
Advanced proficiency score on state tests and district benchmark assessments in both mathematics and language arts literacy
Report card grade requirements
Teacher and parent recommendation
Newly Identified Students:
Students are identified at the end of the year by meeting the report card grade requirements and receiving teacher recommendation. These students will then be evaluated with a cognitive test and determination of enrollment will occur in the Fall after state testing scores are reviewed. If all of the requirements are met, eligibility in the program is granted.
Students New to the District:
Students who are new to the district in September of a given year qualify to take the cognitive test for enrichment eligibility at mid-year (after second marking period) if they meet the following criteria:
Student scored in the high advanced proficient range on previous year's state testing in both mathematics and language arts literacy
Student obtained grade criteria: all O’s or A’s in the first and second marking period
Student has parent and current teacher’s recommendation (effort, works to potential, etc.)
Appeals:
Decisions about entrance into the Enrichment Program reflect a demonstrated need for additional services. Multiple measures are employed that utilize both quantitative data (formal test scores or assessments) and qualitative data (teacher observations of students' behaviors, characteristics, and achievement). Although we stand behind our identification process, parents may reach out to the enrichment teacher to request information or appeal a decision. If necessary, a meeting may be scheduled with the parent, gifted coordinator, and/or district administrator to discuss the matter. After reviewing all the data, the administrator will reject or affirm the district’s decision and communicate that information to parents. If you have further questions, please contact the teacher of the gifted, Lori Rattner at lrattner@edgewaterschools.org.
Gifted & Talented Complaint Procedure:
As outlined in N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 et seq., any individual who believes the district has not followed state regulations for Gifted & Talented education may file a written complaint with the Edgewater Board of Education. The Board will review the complaint and provide a written response. If the individual disagrees with the Board’s decision, they may file an appeal with the New Jersey Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes, following procedures in N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9.