Gifted Education In New Orleans
Students who are gifted have unique academic, social and emotional needs that can make the traditional classroom less than ideal for them. In New Orleans, parents have several school options available to help their gifted children thrive.
Gifted, Explained
The term “gifted” refers to someone who has tremendous potential—usually high achievement capability in areas of intelligence (an IQ 130 or higher), creativity, and leadership. The state of Louisiana defines gifted students as those “who demonstrate abilities that give evidence of high performance in academic and intellectual aptitude.”
Being gifted doesn’t mean just getting good grades. Without “intervention,” many gifted students have negative classroom experiences. Often they go into a class knowing much or all of their coursework before it’s presented, and grasp the rest so quickly that they’re bored until—usually several years down the road—they’re finally presented with significantly challenging work. And then, because they’ve never had to learn how to study, never experienced ‘learning from mistakes,’ when they are finally faced with a challenge, they can give up quickly, becoming discouraged and ultimately, never reaching their potential.
It’s also common for gifted kids to be “twice-exceptional students”—those who also have an autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or a learning disability. “They are an incredible population with so much to offer to any school’s gifted program,” says Katie Morton, the coordinator of the St. George’s School’s Talented and Gifted program, “but they are often overlooked in many school environments because of their learning difficulties.”
The Gifted IEP
The state of Louisiana mandates that identified gifted students be served within the public school system from pre-K through 12th grade with an individual education plan, or IEP. There are gifted programs in all school districts, and the state leads the nation with the most stringent certification requirements for teachers of the gifted and talented (a separate program for students identified as talented in the areas of music, theater and visual art).
While screenings of potentially gifted students can begin as early as age three, and all first graders are evaluated for the program, other screenings are prompted after reviewing standardized test scores—such as LEAP or iLEAP—of current students, explains
Raychell Richard, the director of Gifted and Talented Education at Jefferson Parish Public School System. Parents or teachers can also request screenings.
Raychell Richard, the director of Gifted and Talented Education at Jefferson Parish Public School System. Parents or teachers can also request screenings.
Once a student has a gifted IEP, it is “reviewed annually throughout their K-12 academic career. New goals are implemented annually… [which are] aligned to their interests and intellectual functioning,” says Raychell.
A gifted IEP typically includes pull-out classes for students that allow them to focus on advanced research skills; organization; creative thinking and problem solving; developing intellectual empathy; advanced communication skills; and much more. Additionally, once students are in high school, there are courses available only to gifted students, taught by teachers certified both in gifted education and the course content. And there are additional opportunities for 4th through 12th grade students to participate in some rigorous academic programs: the Academic Games Leagues of America, the Duke University Talent Identification Program, and Varsity Quiz Bowl.
Other Opportunities
In addition to an IEP, there are other avenues that parents can pursue for their gifted students. There are several academically challenging magnet schools for advanced studies (which parents sometimes refer to as “gifted schools”) that require admissions testing separate from the testing for the state’s gifted IEP.
There’s also the Louisiana School for Math, Science & the Arts in Natchitoches, a tuition-free, public boarding school for academically advanced students in grades 10-12.
Many independent schools offer gifted students opportunities for enrichment and acceleration, and participation in the Academic Games Leagues of America and Duke TIP. But St. George’s School has its own Talented and Gifted Program, which is unusual for a private school.
“Our program is unique and excels with its comprehensive, well-researched, and well-organized approach to meeting the needs of our gifted and talented students,” says Katie Morton. She also explains that they strive to identify underachieving students. “Reversing underachievement is a collaborative effort.”
Finding the right environment—challenging,
Supportive, and inspiring—for gifted students takes work and collaboration between parents, teachers, administrators, and the students themselves. It’s worth the effort, no matter what route you take.
Supportive, and inspiring—for gifted students takes work and collaboration between parents, teachers, administrators, and the students themselves. It’s worth the effort, no matter what route you take.
Resources for parents
Association for Gifted and Talented Students Louisiana, agtslouisiana.org
Louisiana Dept. of Education, louisianabelieves.com/academics/gifted-and-talented-students
Jefferson Parish Gifted Education Program, jpschools.org/department/gifted-education-program
National Association for Gifted Children, nagc.org
Hoagie’s Gifted Education page, hoagiesgifted.org