- National Association for Gifted Children
- The New Jersey Association for Gifted Children
- New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Gifted & Talented
- World Council for Gifted & Talented Children
Criteria: According to the Strengthening G&T Education Act passed into law by NJ Governor Murphy in January 2020, a "Gifted and talented student means a student who possesses or demonstrates a high level of ability in one or more content areas when compared to his chronological peers in the school district and who requires modifications of his educational program if he is to achieve in accordance with his capabilities.” Northern Burlington uses multiple measures to identify gifted students and consults the Gifted Programming Standards of the National Association for Gifted Children in developing programs for gifted and talented students.
According to the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC.org), gifted students may exhibit many of the following characteristics:
| Cognitive | Creative | Affective | Behavioral |
| Keen power of abstraction Interest in problem-solving and applying concepts Voracious and early reader
Intellectual curiosity Power of critical thinking, skepticism, self-criticism Persistent, goal-directed behavior Independence in work and study Diversity of interests and abilities | Creativeness and inventiveness Keen sense of humor Ability for fantasy Openness to stimuli, wide interests Intuitiveness Flexibility Independence in attitude and social behavior Self-acceptance and unconcern for social norms Radicalism Aesthetic and moral commitment to self-selected work | Unusual emotional depth and intensity Sensitivity or empathy to the feelings of others High expectations of self and others, often leading to feelings of frustration Heightened self-awareness, accompanied by feelings of being different Easily wounded, need for emotional support Need for consistency between abstract values and personal actions Advanced levels of moral judgment Idealism and sense of justice | Spontaneity Boundless enthusiasm Resists changing activities when engrossed in own interests Highly energetic Constantly questions Insatiable curiosity Impulsive, eager and spirited Strong determination in areas of importance High levels of frustration when doesn’t meet standards Volatile temper, especially related to perceptions of failure Non-stop talking/chattering |
Identification Process: Northern Burlington uses multiple measures to identify gifted students: the Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test (NNAT3) & the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT8). Both are nationally recognized tests used to identify giftedness. Both the NNAT3 & the OLSAT8 are non-verbal assessments, which means that anyone can take these tests, including twice exceptional and ELL students. Registration is open to all students in April; students must score within the 80th percentile (score of 8 or 9) in both tests in order to qualify for Northern Burlington’s G&T Program that services grades 7-12. Once identified, students’ parents are contacted and students are invited to enroll in the program or can defer enrollment as scheduling permits.
Northern Burlington’s G&T Program: In 7th and 8th grade, Northern Burlington’s G&T program is called R.O.G.A.T.E. (Resources Offered for Gifted And Talented Education); at the high school, Northern Burlington offers G&T Seminars I, II, & III. The course follows a holistic approach to teaching gifted students, focusing on students’ inherent passions and interests as well as developing their social skills. The G&T Program at Northern Burlington offers students a safe space to discover and explore with confidence and autonomy through passion projects, research, & public speaking. These courses are electives. Once students qualify, they can enter in and out of the program as scheduling permits.
Continuum of Learning: Northern Burlington provides educational resources on the district’s website to help parents identify giftedness in their children as well as guide parental support at home. Teachers, educational staff, and administrators will also continue to develop their knowledge of giftedness and efficacy in effective strategies for teaching gifted students through on-going professional training and literature accessible on the district’s website. In an effort to increase communication between the district and other stakeholders, periodic updates will be posted on Twitter and on the district’s Facebook page.
Resources
Complaint procedures regarding non-compliance with district G&T policy.
Twitter: Follow Northern G & T at @NBCGT1
Please contact Dr. Leslie Ervin, the program Coordinator, if you have any questions.
Dr. Leslie Puente-Ervin
Director of Instruction
English, Social Studies, Gifted & Talented, and Media Center
AP Coordinator
Northern Burlington County Regional School District
609-298-3900 ext. 2074
Follow me on Twitter @NBC_LeslieErvin