About us
Gifted and talented children and youth are those of high potential or ability whose learning characteristics and educational needs require qualitatively differentiated educational experiences and/or services. Possession of these talents and gifts, or the potential for their development, will be evidenced through an interaction of above average intellectual ability, task commitment and /or motivation, and creative ability.
Referral
Please fill out this Google form for the referral process to begin for a student from Heber Springs School District.
Identification Process
At HSSD, we take the case study method for identification. We use multiple assessments to get a look at the whole child. Then a blind committee made up of teachers, administration, and the Gifted and Talented Coordinator meet and discuss each child's needs. The committee then makes their decision about best placement for each child and it is recommended to the parent via a letter.
*Blind Committee: The participants do not know any identifying markers of the student to make a decision based on data rather than preconceived ideas about each child.
Student Placement
Parents are notified by letter of their childś placement or non-placement for the program and provided with a parent consent form, which offers the opportunity to request additional information about the program, if needed, before making a decision. Students are placed in the program upon receipt of a positive response on the parent consent form.
Student placement in the program is reviewed annually.