Gifted & Talented Program
The Smyrna School District's Gifted and Talented program is intended to provide rigorous academics, using student centered instruction. Using balanced and flexible instructional practices, we aim to provide students opportunities to strengthen personal accountability, problem solving skills, innovative thinking and communication skills to allow for productive life-long learners.
Program Structure
The GT Program utilizes a variety of grouping structures and delivery methods across the district, with the goal of providing equitable access and opportunities across all schools.
In addition, certified Gifted & Talented teachers support and provide appropriately challenging academic learning opportunities through a variety of services including working directly with students and classroom teachers. GT Teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to develop and provide appropriate learning experiences and environments to meet the academic, artistic, creative, social, and/or emotional needs of advanced students and students who have been identified as gifted.
Identification
The identification process for each area of giftedness recognized by State of Delaware and the district includes multiple measures: aptitude tests, teacher rating forms, state assessment scores, cognitive evaluations, stakeholder recommendations, end-of-year benchmarks, and evidence of student interests. All students will be assessed, and the date will be reviewed to ensure equitable opportunities for program participation. Identification eligibility will be re-evaluated each year.
When enrolling students in a SSD public school from another district or charter school, parents/guardians shall notify the enrolling school if the student was identified for gifted services in the previous school. They should provide evidence of this to the school if possible. After confirming the gifted identification from the previous school system, the student will be considered for gifted services in the Smyrna School District. Students who do not meet the criteria needed to receive gifted services will be monitored by the classroom teacher and the GT specialist for one semester before making a final decision.
Curriculum and Instruction
The Smyrna School District Gifted and Talented Program does not substitute or replace the excellent classroom instruction and enrichment already provided in the district. Instead, it provides options compatible with the needs, abilities, and interests of gifted learners. The general education curriculum and teachers will provide accelerated and/or enrichment opportunities that recognize gifted students' needs for advanced, developmentally appropriate content. By enriching in the general education class and providing pull out services, gifted students have the opportunity to work with both their age-level peers and their intellectual and academic peers. Students will be able to work in a variety of settings to foster their social, emotional, intellectual and academic growth.
Teacher created lessons and activities in the GT program aims to encourage a love of learning, personal and social responsibility, multicultural competence, and interpersonal and technical communication skills for leadership. When planning, educators apply evidence-based models of curriculum and instruction by selecting, adapting and creating curriculum that is responsive to diversity and that focuses on the following process and performance standards:
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies and program models that foster academic growth among gifted students will be utilized. They may include:
| Advanced Course Offering | Tiered assignments |
| Enrichment of common core, NGSS & Delaware Standards | Alternate assignments when a student has demonstrated mastery |
| Student Choice | Service Learning |
| Opportunities to debate | Opportunities for creative writing |
| Project/Problem Based Learning | Differentiated task demands |
| Higher-level questioning at the levels synthesis, analysis and evaluation | Interdisciplinary lessons that invite connections across disciplines |
| STEM resources and activities | Language immersion programs |
| Online learning options | Utilizing community resources and partnerships |
| Concept based instruction | Simulations & role play |
Parents, Guardians, Caregivers and Community Involvement
Smyrna has developed and implemented procedures to ensure that participation of parents, guardians, and community members in the planning and evaluation of the GT programs students. Families are informed about gifted identification criteria, services, and instructional goals through communication channels, including district and school websites, informational meetings, and direct outreach. Parents and guardians are invited to engage in ongoing conversations regarding their child's academic strengths and instructional needs.
The Smyrna School District believes that excellence is achieved through ongoing reflection, evaluation, and purposeful revision. We are committed to continually assessing our practices, programs, and outcomes to ensure they effectively meet the evolving needs of all learners. Through the use of data, stakeholder feedback, and evidence-based strategies, we strive for continuous improvement that strengthens instruction, enhances student achievement, and promotes organizational effectiveness. This commitment to thoughtful evaluation and responsive improvement ensures our district remains adaptable, innovative, and focused on long term success.