The Keyport Board of Education is committed to providing a personalized learning experience for ALL Students. Our teachers provide ALL students an opportunity to learn and thrive in classrooms that emphasize personalized learning and blended learning opportunities in order to meet each student's individualized needs. All students have unique strengths and talents, and we work to foster these in many ways. Some children have skills and abilities that significantly differ in degree and dimensions from their chronological age peers. Our mission is to provide the best education for every student that includes meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented (G&T) students. The Keyport Board of Education’s program focuses on providing a differentiated experience in instructional depth and scope in order to provide these students with the opportunity to maximize their potential. The purpose for identification is not to label a student but more to recognize and respond to their educational needs.
Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act
On January 13, 2020, Governor Murphy signed the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act codifying school district responsibilities in educating gifted and talented students as referenced in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1. The law went into effect for the 2020-2021 school year. Gifted and Talented students are: “Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities."
Gifted & Talented Screening Process
Level I - Identification of Students: Universal screening for all students will begin in Kindergarten to identify students who are performing at the highest levels of ability as compared to their peers within the Keyport Public School District.
Level II - Identification of Students: Best practices suggest that a pool of students be identified through multiple measures. No child shall be excluded from Gifted and Talented identification based on other identified learning needs, such as Special Education or English as a Second Language. Multiple Benchmarking Measures will be used to identify students across all grade levels. Measures will vary and are dependent upon grade level.
KCS
i-Ready Diagnostic
LinkIt ELA/ Math Benchmarks
NJSLA
Brigance (Kindergarten only)
*Kindergarten will be screened using a Readiness Assessment as well as the document located in the addendum of the G/T Manual
KHS
ELA
CogAT Verbal Standard Age Score
i-Ready ELA Diagnostic: Beginning of the Year Assessment in 9th Grade
Lexile Level
Maximum Score: 45 points; Qualification: 36 points or higher
Please reference the G/T Manual for rubric.
Mathematics
CogAT Quantitative Standard Age Score
i-Ready Mathematics Diagnostic: Beginning of the Year Assessment in 9th Grade
8th Grade NJSLA Score (if NJSLA score is not available Linkit BOY benchmark will be used)
Maximum Score: 45 points; Qualification: 36 points or higher
Please reference the G/T Manual for rubric.
Level III - Identification of Students: The School-Based Committee will analyze the criteria from the CogAT assessment and Level II data and identify which students qualify for Gifted & Talented services. The school-based committee will consider achievement scores, subjective student data, and cultural differences in the manifestation of giftedness. The school-based committee is committed to providing appropriate services based on student needs and matching the student to the appropriate level of service.
Complaint Process
An individual who believes that a school district has not complied with the provisions of the Act may:
1. File a complaint with the Keyport Public Schools Board of Education. The Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter.
2. An individual who is still in disagreement with the Keyport Public Schools Board of Education's written decision has the ability to file a petition of appeal to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.
Appeal Process
A parent or guardian shall have the right to appeal any decision using the following procedure:
1. A decision is first appealed to the School G&T Committee. This appeal must be made within ten days of the original notification. The appeal must be in writing cite specific and relevant information and/or documentation, and be addressed to the School G & T Committee. Letters may be emailed or mailed to the Building Coordinators listed below.
Central School Building Coordinator: Mr. Kevin Flynn
Keyport High School Building Coordinator: Ms. Jennifer Peirson
2. A decision by the School G&T Committee may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools. This appeal must be made within 10 days of notification by the School G&T Committee. The appeal must be in writing cite specific and relevant information and/or documentation, and be addressed to the Superintendent of Schools.
Other Considerations
The Arts - Students who are identified as gifted/talented in the Arts will be provided with opportunities to develop those talents. Special area teachers will work with the school-based G&T committee to identify students who are gifted in the arts and provide them with opportunities to further develop their gifts, whenever possible, during classroom and school activities. Students will be encouraged to take part in the many extracurricular and community opportunities within their area of giftedness.
Transfer Students - Students who enter the district mid year will be evaluated based on Level I indicators. Students who enroll and have been formally identified as gifted and talented from another district should provide documentation of receiving those services along with their report cards. Data will be carefully reviewed by the school based committee, and parents will be notified in writing if their child qualifies.
Twice Exceptional Learners - These students are gifted children of above-average abilities who also have special educational needs- ADHD, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum, etc. Because their giftedness can mask their special needs and their special needs can hide their giftedness, the district recognizes the importance of identifying and servicing this often underrepresented group. Building-based selection committees will be sensitive to indicators that seem to reveal contradictions in abilities. These types of contradictions may be indicators of possible twice-exceptionality. No child shall be excluded.
Multi-Lingual Learners - Research suggests that qualitative and quantitative measures should be used for identification of MLLs who are gifted and talented. Similar to twice-exceptional learners, gifted needs may be masked by language barriers. Therefore, the building based committees will follow the recommendations of the NJDOE and, when necessary, utilize the following for Level II Identification.