Mission

    In Henrico County Public Schools we believe that all students are unique and deserve educational opportunities appropriate to their needs and abilities. We recognize that gifted students have educational needs that require a qualitatively differentiated instructional program. To develop each student's potential fully, we seek to provide program services featuring rigorous curriculum content and instructional opportunities. We also support services to address the social and emotional needs of students and their families. We recognize the need to use multiple criteria when identifying gifted students from a variety of social and economic backgrounds and to provide them with a flexible continuum of program services from kindergarten through secondary graduation.

    Gifted students are defined as those whose abilities and potential for accomplishment are so outstanding that alternative provisions must be made for their education.

    The identification of gifted students is a continuous process at each grade level, kindergarten through high school graduation. Qualifying students are identified in one or more of the following areas of giftedness and placed in an appropriate program

• Intellectual aptitude (multiple, general, or specific intellectual abilities)

• Specific academic aptitude (specific academic area: language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies)

• Technical and practical arts aptitude (advanced skills and creative expression)

• Visual and performing arts aptitude (consistent excellence in development of product or performance)

    The Identification/Placement Committee in each school is responsible for implementing the screening and assessment including review of:

• Referrals, which may be initiated by parents, teachers, administrators, peers, or by students themselves

 
• Student products, performance, portfolio

 
• Individual or group ability and achievement test results (routinely, students scoring in the top 3 percent on standardized tests are referred for program services)

 
• Teacher and staff observations/recommendations

 
• Awards, honors, grades

K-3

    Whole class response lessons are provided by itinerant teachers of the gifted for all county classes. These lessons are designed to engage students in high-level thought and elicit examples of advanced vocabulary and advanced conceptual development. The data collected through this process is one factor used in identifying students through multiple criteria.

    Program options may include, but are not limited to, acceleration based on individual needs, mentorship, occasional opportunities for pull-out lessons, multi-age grouping for instructional purposes, and use of technology.

Grades 4-5

Program features include:

• School-based single subject or full time daily programs (conducted by trained teachers).

• Zone-based full-time program for intellectually gifted students at three locations: Adams, Dumbarton, and Three Chopt Elementary schools.

• Pre-algebra instruction for selected highly gifted Grade 5 students.

Program features include:

Advanced sections in all core subjects (mathematics, science, English, social studies).

• Resource teachers, who serve as building coordinators for the gifted program, assist with classroom instruction for gifted students, and conduct curricular activities such as competitions, debates, and research activities.

• High school credit courses in world studies, foreign language, earth science, mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 11, geometry), Art I, work and family studies, and keyboarding.

• The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Moody Middle School which emphasizes the importance of a holistic view of knowledge, intercultural awareness, and communication.

Program features include:

• Honors courses that provide advanced challenge in all core content areas.

• Advanced placement courses that provide the means for colleges to grant credit, placement, or both to students who have applied themselves successfully to introductory college level work.

• Gifted site coordinators who provide guidance in long-term program planning for gifted students.

• Specialty Center programs that address a wide range of student interests including:
The Arts
Communications
Engineering, Design & Future Transportation
Foreign Language Immersion
Humanities
Leadership, Government, and Global Economics
Science, Mathematics, & Technology
International Baccalaureate
Diversified Studies
 
• The regional Governor's School for Government and International Studies located at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, that offers an advanced college preparatory curriculum to students who are selected on a competitive basis.

    The Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with Henrico County Public Schools, supports 4 to 5 week residential programs for high school students on college campuses. Participants are selected through a statewide competitive process after nomination by their local schools

    A Regional Summer Governor's School Program, hosted by the Mathematics & Science Center, is offered for middle school students. Students are selected by the Mathematics & Science Center after nomination by their local schools.

Teacher training initiatives include:

• locally offered SCC (Special Content Courses) on differentiated instruction

• financial support for teacher attendance at college and university courses in gifted education

• participation in conferences, workshops, and in-service training sponsored locally in cooperation with universities and state and national professional organizations.

    The Parent Resource Center, located at Central Gardens, provides information and resources to parents. Materials are available on the education of the gifted student, K-12. In addition, the center offers take-home materials including suggested reading lists, a list of programs offered in central Virginia for gifted students, and information from national organizations about the education of gifted students.

    Central Gardens is located at 2401 Hartman St. "E" Building, Richmond, Virginia, 23223. The phone number is 343-6523.

    The Council, composed of parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, students, community members, and representatives of The Governor's School for Government and International Studies, is appointed by the School Board. The members, representing each magisterial district, are appointed annually for a maximum term of three years. The primary role of the council is to study the needs and concerns related to the education of the gifted, review the implementation of the county's plan to meet these needs, and provide an annual report of its findings to the School Board.

    The Henrico County Education Foundation makes possible special activities for students and staff, and provides other resources that are not available through the school division's regular budget Individuals, groups, and businesses may make tax deductible contributions of money, real property, or other gifts which promote activities consistent with the Foundation's aims and purposes. The Gifted Advisory Council has two representatives on the Foundation Board.

    School principals oversee the implementation of gifted programs that reflect the needs of their student populations. For specific information about the gifted program implementation at a particular school, contact the school principal.

    Central Office administrators responsible for providing expertise and support for the gifted programs include the Educational Specialist for Gifted Programs, the Director of Elementary Education, the Director of Secondary Education, and the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.

For additional information, contact:

Programs for the Gifted, Henrico County Public Schools

(804)652-3765

 Henrico County Gifted Advisory Council, 1996-97 

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