Gifted programming at John Evans and throughout the district will be different this year. With the support of our School Board, District Administrative Team, not to mention recent passage of H.B. 1244 guaranteeing gifted education services in our state, our mission is forthright and our work well defined: gifted and talented students need to reach their potential through high-level instruction and challenging opportunities.
Over the years, changes have occurred in how gifted students are serviced. This requires a shift in thinking from “a program” to “programming” needs of a gifted child. This year in order to be in compliance with the Colorado State Improvement Plan for Gifted Education, we will begin the process of developing an Advanced Learning Plan for each identified student. This plan will match services with student needs and strengths. Parents, along with the G/T teacher and classroom teacher(s), will be part of this process. Learning plans will be reviewed annually and used to guide any programming planning and decisions for each identified child. The role of the G/T teacher at each school has also changed from being a sole deliverer of services to a facilitator of services: at times providing direct instruction, at other times team teaching or being a resource to classroom teachers, parents and administrators.