- Nixa Public Schools
- ALERT
Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program: ALERT
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The Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program, ALERT (Active Learning Experiences in Research and Thinking), serves academically gifted students kindergarten through 12th grade who possess extraordinary abilities to think creatively and critically.
The goals of the program is to identify academically gifted students and provide a multi-tiered system of support that addresses the academic and social emotional needs of gifted learners. The Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program will
- provide a learning environment that will develop critical thinking, creativity, and reasoning abilities, as well as decision making, and communication skills.
- provide opportunities for gifted students to become more independent and self-directed learners.
- provide opportunities for gifted learners to participate in challenging learning experiences that are not included in the regular classroom curriculum.
- address the social emotional needs of gifted learners by providing opportunities for growth as well as recognizing and responding to the strengths and needs of themselves and others.
- provide opportunities for gifted students to collaborate and challenge other students with similar skills and talents.
If you have questions about the Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program, please contact Dr. Paula Macy at paulamacy@nixaschools.net or 417-724-6617.
Staff
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Gifted Coordinator/Junior High and High School
Dr. Paula Macy 417-724-6617
Email: paulamacy@nixaschools.net
Phone: 417-724-6617
K-2nd Grade
Rebecca Mason
Email: rebeccamason@nixaschools.net
3rd-4th Grade
Josie Gregory
Email: josiegregory@nixaschools.net
5th-6th Grade
Erin Neal
Email: erinneal@nixaschools.net
Mission and Vision Statements
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program is to provide a learning community that maximizes the potential of gifted students with unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs through highly challenging curriculum and specialized instruction that enable students to contribute to the demands of an ever-changing society.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be an exemplary gifted program, to advocate for, to inspire, and meet the needs of all students in the Nixa Public Schools Gifted Program.
Referral Process
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Teachers, parents, and other interested people who are in a position to observe the daily behavior of children and would like to refer a child to the gifted program are asked to complete a checklist designed to identify children who display characteristics common to gifted students.
Screening for ALERT takes place twice a year and is as follows.
Kindergarten, 5th, and 6th grades are screened in the fall beginning in October.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades are screened in the winter/spring beginning in February.
*Any kindergarten, 5th or 6th grade student not screened in fall may be referred during this time as well.
If you would like to make a referral or have questions about the referral process, please email paulamacy@nixaschools.net or call 417-724-6617.
Placements Procedures
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Step 1
Teachers, parents, and other interested people who are in a position to observe the daily behavior of children and would like to refer a child to the gifted program are asked to complete a Gifted Characteristics Ratings Scale to identify children who display characteristics common to gifted students.
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Step 2
The records of all children identified in Step 1 are reviewed for information, including past tests and referrals that might indicate a child needs additional educational intervention. Incoming records of students new to the district are also reviewed. For placement in ALERT, students must meet one of the following criteria:
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Cognitive Abilities Test Screening Form Levels 9 - 12 composite score is at or above the 90th percentile
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Cognitive Abilities Test Screening Form Levels 5 /6 - 8 composite score is at or above the 80th percentile
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Score at or above the 90th percentile (normal sample), on two areas of the SAGES-2 (normal sample)
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Step 3
The information from Steps 1 and 2 is used to make a prioritized list of students to be given an individual intelligence test. Parents will be informed of the testing situation, and asked to sign a consent form, before a school psychological examiner administers the test.
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Step 4
Individual intelligence test results are reviewed by the Gifted Program Committee. To be placed in Nixa Public Schools gifted program, students must have either a Full Scale IQ score at or above the 97th percentile or a General Ability Index at the 97th percentile on the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition) or the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition), or an equivalent score on another individual intelligence test.
*Studies have shown that students with high intelligence have special educational needs that usually cannot be met with a regular classroom curriculum. The higher the IQ, the more it deviates from the average; thus, the greater is the need of the student. To provide the highest quality of services, we can place only those students who show the greatest need.
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Step 5
The child and his or her parents are given information about the ALERT Program and asked to make the final decision as to whether or not it is appropriate for the child to participate.
Throughout this process, parents and guardians have the right to
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inspect all school records.
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have described the method of testing and materials to be used.
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receive an explanation of all test results.
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deny permission for suggested testing.
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Instructional Delivery
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The district provides the following services for students in gifted program:
Kindergarten - One full day per week in a gifted resource room, beginning second semester
Grades 1-6 - One full day per week in a gifted resource room
Grades 7-8 - Meets with gifted certified teacher at least once a week during Advisory, participates in online discussions and activities throughout the week, pull out ½ day per quarter
Grades 9 - 12 - Gifted Resource Model
In a Gifted Resource Room, students are encouraged to reach their full potential as both students and members of society by participating in units that target the following areas:
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Cognitive education - academic units that allow students to explore topics not covered in the regular curriculum while enhancing and expanding students’ mastery of specific grade level expectations
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Affective education - self-knowledge and life skills
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Critical and creative thinking skills - often involving application of these skills to content knowledge gained in academic units
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Problem solving - mathematical, spatial, practical, social
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Communication skills - oral and written
The Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT) model avoids conflicts with other classes students wish to take. In the GRT model, the certified teacher of gifted education works with students in a resource capacity on a highly flexible schedule that does not require any minimum contact minutes per week. However, the district must allow a minimum of 150 minutes of the GRT’s instructional time per week to be spent exclusively with identified gifted students, grades 9-12.
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FAQ
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When does screening take place?
Fall - Grades: Kindergarten, 5th and 6th
Winter/Spring - Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and any Kindergarten, 5th or 6th grade student not referred in the Fall.
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Who can refer a student for gifted screening?
Teachers, parents, and other interested people who are in a position to observe the daily behavior of children. If you would like to make a referral, please contact paulamacy@nixaschools.net.
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What is the policy for students who transfer from a different district?
Transfer students must qualify for the ALERT program based on the NPS placement procedures. If a student who has been placed in a gifted program in their previous school transfers to NPS, a request for test scores and placement procedures from the previous district will be made. A review of the records and test scores will determine how to proceed with placement. If comparable test scores are available and meets the criteria for placement in the NPS gifted program, the student will be placed without any additional testing. If the test scores fall below placement criteria, the student will not be placed in the gifted program. However, the student will be administered the tests needed at the time of transfer with parent permission.
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What is the policy for students who reside in the district but do not attend Nixa Public Schools?
Students who reside in, but do not attend Nixa Public Schools may be screened during the testing schedule above. Students must qualify for the ALERT program based on the previously outlined placement procedures. If the student qualifies for ALERT, parents are responsible for transporting the student to and from ALERT on their child’s ALERT day.