Special Programs
The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is expanding opportunities by offering a continuum of gifted and talented services starting in 2023-2024. These services are intended to meet the needs of students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.
NJDOE Definition of Giftedness, Adopted by Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education
“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.”
Identification and Selection Grades 5-8 Enriched (E)
Enriched (E) Overview Grades 5-8
Identification and Selection Grades K-4
BRRSD uses Identification Profiles to match students to services. Multiple measures are considered so that no one assessment can act as a gatekeeper. It is well researched that giftedness can be masked by underachievement, language and cultural diversity, or special needs. Great care has been taken to cast a wide, inclusive net in selecting students with unique learning needs. Local norms (comparing student performance with other students in the district and/or school) are established and used for identification. Each child's profile is reviewed, and students who require modification of their educational program are matched to services to help achieve their potential. There is no set minimum score on any one assessment.
Identification Profiles will include minimum criteria for services:
- Small Group Investigations - Students being considered for Small Group Investigations will need to perform at high levels on at least one (depending on that year’s cohort) of the following assessments when compared to peers in the same school/grade:
- MAP Mathematics and/or MAP Reading and/or CogAT Quantitative and/or CogAT Verbal and/or CogAT Nonverbal
SIGs Teacher Input and/or the district math exemplar were also considered.
- Cluster Grouping - Current third grade students being considered for cluster grouping in mathematics will need to perform at high levels on the following assessments when compared to peers in the same school/grade:
- MAP Mathematics and/or the CogAT Quantitative Subtest
SIGs Teacher Input and/or the district math exemplar were also considered.
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Academically Independent - Students being considered for AI will need to perform at high levels across all measures.
Program placement will be based on student performance compared to:
- AI -District Norms
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Cluster Grouping and Small Group Investigations - Local School Norms
Students may be matched to multiple services. Students being matched to AI and home school based services will have the choice of program for their child. Students will be reassessed annually for consideration.
As students develop their knowledge and skills, they may require gifted and talented services to reach their academic potential.
Screening Tools
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Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT): Multiple-choice-based assessment provides information regarding abstract conceptualization in relationship to age and grade-level.
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Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): A computerized adaptive multiple choice assessment that measures knowledge in reading and mathematics based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards .
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Curricular Measures: Math performance task used to measure problem solving and thinking skills
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Teacher Input (SIGS): A validated rating scale to collect teacher input in the areas of General Intellectual Ability, Creativity and Leadership
See tabs below for descriptions of programs and services.
Gifted and Talented Appeals for 2023-2024 Grades 2-8
PARENT PRESENTATIONS (March 2023) G&T Parent Presentation: Gifted and Talented Services Overview Grades 1-4* E Parent Presentation: E Placement Overview Grades 5-8* * We are unable to post the recording as there was a lot of static/background noise. Grades K-4 Gifted and Talented FAQs Grades 5-8 Gifted and Talented FAQs
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Our district recently completed a comprehensive review of our gifted and talented programming. This included an audit of our current programs, reviewing research and best practices, administering surveys of all stakeholders, as well as holding multiple focus groups. Below are the recommendations that were presented to the Board of Education by Dr. Lenore Cortina, Gifted Education Consultant.
Gifted and Talented Presentation February 2023
For additional information, please see NJ Department of Education website.
of the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act may file a complaint with the
board of education. The board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject,
or modify the district’s action in the matter. The individual may then file a petition
of appeal of the board’s written decision 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 [N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.3 and 1.4].
Additional Resources:
District Policy 2464- Gifted and Talented Students
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). (2021).https://nagc.org/page/equity
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC). (2021). https://www.njagc.org/
Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act. (2020). (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 through N.J.S.A. 18A:35-39)
NJDOE. New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Gifted and Talented.
https://www.nj.gov/education/standards/gifted/