Gifted Program

Gifted Education

New Pathways for Gifted Education

With equity as a top priority, Charlottesville’s gifted education staff implemented new pathways in 2019–2020, and our work continues despite the interruptions of the pandemic.

We begin with the conviction that giftedness is distributed equally among all groups. With this in mind, we have made changes to both the process of identifying students as gifted and the service model for delivering gifted instruction.

Charlottesville City Schools views giftedness through a lens of talent development. We believe that all students are talented and we cultivate their potential through collaborative, high-quality, differentiated instruction. We recognize that the need for students to think and perform at high levels is important for cultivating their potential for advanced learning.

Gifted Instruction

Gifted resource teachers push gifted instruction into general education classrooms so that all students participate in the high quality experiences on a regular basis. They distribute their time across grade levels and content areas as they regularly collaborate with classroom teachers and work with all students. Planning time and collaboration allows staff to develop and offer differentiated lessons and identify instructional materials that meet the needs of every learner and that develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in all students.

Identification

Annually in the spring, Charlottesville City Schools considers all students in grades 3 and beyond for eligibility in gifted education services in the aptitude areas of English and math. Multiple criteria are considered through a holistic approach with a focus on talent development.

On April 1, every student in grades 3–11 who is enrolled in the division by March 1 of that year and has not chosen to opt out is automatically referred for gifted identification. Teachers and parents do not complete nominations forms.

Parents/guardians may choose to not have their child participate in the identification process by submitting a completed opt-out form to the school by April 15. The Gifted Identification Opt-Out Form is available here and at schools.

 

Area of Giftedness Screening Referral/Nomination Deadline Identification Meetings Timeline for Providing Results
Specific Academic Aptitudes

English & Math

 Spring March 1 – Deadline for student to be enrolled in CCS school to be considered for upcoming gifted identification

April 1 –   CCS refers every student enrolled in grades 3–11

April 15 – Parent must submit opt-out form for the student to not be referred

 May June

School-based identification committees are convened in late spring. Eligibility decisions are communicated to the candidate’s parents/guardians in writing with the report card at the end of the academic year.

Parent/Community Involvement

Parent awareness and involvement in gifted education is encouraged through the following:

  • Periodic communications distributed by gifted resource teachers
  • Parent/Teacher conference days that are scheduled throughout the school year
  • Open house activities that highlight gifted education services

Gifted Advisory Committee

Each year an advisory committee is established to advise in the development and implementation of Charlottesville’s services for gifted students. It is composed of two parent representatives from each school and a School Board member. Among its responsibilities are overseeing the implementation of the local plan, participating in the review and revision of the plan, and reporting to the School Board about the needs of gifted learners. Dates of all meetings are posted on the division calendar and a portion of each meeting is reserved to discuss ideas and concerns from parents or community members.

Please share your thoughts by contacting a committee member, a gifted resource teacher, or Jeannie Pfautz, Coordinator of Instruction, at pfautzj1@charlottesvilleschools.org

More about the Gifted Advisory Committee:

 

Resources

Media Reporting and Staff Updates

Additional Information

To Learn More

Program Director: Jeannie Pfautz, Coordinator of Instruction
(434) 245-2421
pfautzj1@charlottesvilleschools.org