• Gifted and Talented

    The Lacey Township School District believes that all students have the ability to succeed and thrive in the proper learning environment.  It is the goal of the district to create a student-centered, comprehensive learning environment that meets the needs of all learners, including our twice exceptional students.  This will be achieved through providing students with opportunities to enhance learning experiences in a collaborative setting. The lessons will integrate multiple disciplines while engaging students in hands-on project-based experiences which foster problem solving skills along with collaboration, research and analysis, analytical and critical thinking, reasoning, and strategizing.  In order to achieve these goals, we will be offering the following continuum of services:

    • Cluster grouping
    • Differentiated and tiered instruction
    • Modification of pacing
    • Access to higher level classes and materials
    • Dual Enrollment College classes
    • Advanced Placement classes

    The Lacey Township Gifted and Talented Program is continuously  under review and will be revised throughout the year in an effort to best meet the needs of students

    Policies and Procedures

    Professional Development

    Teachers:
    Teachers received training in the 2022-2023 school year on NJTSS and the use of data for instructional decision making.  High School teachers attended Advanced Placement conferences.  Teachers across the district attended professional development on equity, engineering and STEM, Differentiated instruction, and Problem Based Learning. For the 2023-2024 school year teachers will continue to receive NJTSS professional development on data analysis, differentiated instruction, addressing the needs of our exceptional students, identification of gifted traits and behaviors in all students, and the use of data to drive instructional practices.

    Educational Services Staff:
    During the 2022-2023 school year, educational services staff were provided the opportunity to attend several professional development opportunities that included but not limited to differentiated instruction and the development of wrap around services that address the needs of our exceptional students. These opportunities will continue to extend into the 2023-2024 school year.  Educational services staff will have the opportunity to attend professional development outside the district as needed to support the students that they work with.

    School Leaders:
    During the 2022-2023 school year, the school leadership team attended professional learning opportunities that focused on NJTSS, the review and analysis of student data in an effort to make informed decisions to promote the acceleration of achievement.  Throughout the 2023-2024 school year that focus will continue along with professional development that addresses the identification of gifted and twice-exceptional students, strategies to support teachers and students in the gifted program.

    Gifted and Talented Selection Criteria

     To be eligible to participate, students in grades K-6 are required to meet the following criteria:

    1.      Score in the 90th Percentile in the Math and/or Reading sections of the
             2023 spring or fall NWEA MAP Test 
    2.      2023 NJSLA Score in ELA or Math of “Exceeds Expectations”
    3.      Teacher/Staff Recommendations
    4.      Parental/Guardian Input

    Placement in Gifted and talented programs in grades 7-12 is based on the following:

    1.     Student interest
    2.     Teacher recommendation
    3.      Past academic record
    4.      Standardized testing scores
    5.      Knowledge survey

    This data is reviewed yearly and placements are updated.

    Appeals/Complaint Process

    • Parents or students may appeal the gifted and talented placement decision
    • Written notification, either a letter or an email, must be given to the building principal.
    • Following receipt of the written notification, a meeting will be scheduled with the parent,  student, teacher, an administrator, and the school counselor to discuss the child’s placement.
    • A decision shall be issued in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter.
    • In accordance with board policy 9130, a complainant shall be notified that a decision of the board may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.

    Parent Resources
    New Jersey Association for Gifted Children
    National Association for Gifted Children
    Hoagies Gifted Education Website