Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools

Gifted Education

Who is Gifted Education for?

Students are gifted when they perform, or show potential for performing, remarkably high levels of accomplishment in learning rate, depth of knowledge, and reasoning and problem-solving abilities when compared with others of their age, experience, and environment. Students who are gifted demonstrate significantly advanced cognitive abilities. (Alberta Education, 2004)

Children who are gifted have exceptional learning needs at school, in the community, and at home. Children who may be gifted are assessed in order to better understand their learning, social, and emotional needs. Schools require evidence of a child's special needs, including giftedness, in order to provide an appropriate school program.

For further information about Gifted Education within the Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools, please contact the Lead teacher, Paula Ticheler (paulaticheler@gpcsd.ca).

Does your child love to write? Check out Winter WordsWorth offered through the Young Alberta Book Society.

Identification and Assessment of Gifted Learners

Within the Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools, gifted learners are identified by the coordinated efforts of the school personnel, the child's parents, and a psychologist. The information gathered in this process determines when a student meets the Alberta Education Special Education criteria to be considered a "Gifted" learner.

The following checklists and surveys can be used to help you gather information about your child's strengths and give you guidance when speaking to teachers about characteristics related to giftedness:

Parent - Checklist of Traits Associated with Giftedness Journey
Parent - Identification Form
Interest Inventory - Journey
Gifted Excellence (1 fold) (update May 2011)
Gifted Excellence (3 fold) (update May 2011)
GPCSD Identification and Programming Flowchart
ABC Peel Reading List Kids

To find out more about how to access psychological services at your child's Catholic school, please contact the Classroom Support Teacher at your child’s school.

Parents of children who do or do not currently attend a Grande Prairie Catholic School often seek out the services of a private psychologist to conduct the assessments to determine whether their child meets the Alberta Education Special Education criteria to be considered a "Gifted" learner.

Do you have questions about supporting your student with special educational needs? Please visit Alberta Education's Special Education Resources for Parents web page.

Forks In The Road - Parent Referral Package A Beginner's Guide to Life on the Bright Side

Opportunities for Gifted Learners within Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools

Once a student has been identified as a gifted learner, the school will develop and implement an Individual Program Plan (IPP) designed to address the student's unique learning characteristics. (The IPP is a requirement of Alberta Education for all Special Education designations, including Gifted.)

Students identified with gifted learning needs may seek access to a wide array of school programs within the school system, including:

Your Neighbourhood Catholic School

Many gifted learners attend their Neighbourhood Catholic School where their unique learning needs are addressed through their Individual Program Plan (IPP). To find out more about the designated community school for your neighbourhood, visit the schools section of the web site.

For further information about Gifted Education within the Catholic School Board, please contact your community Catholic school Principal or Classroom Support Teacher.

Alternative Programs

Several of the Alternative Programs often address the unique interests and skills of gifted learners.

Examples of Alternative Programs may include:

 

The University of Calgary, Centre for Gifted Education offers;

The Journey: a handbook for parents of children who are gifted and talented (PDF), Alberta Education.

Visit Alberta Education to view Standards for Special Education and other helpful Special Education Resources.

Do you have questions about supporting your student with special educational needs? Please visit Alberta Education's Special Education Resources for Parents web page.

Common Terms in Gifted Programming