Gifted & Talented
Gifted & Talented in Jeffco
The Jeffco Public Schools Gifted and Talented (GT) Department’s vision is to Actualize Learners’ Potential for gifted and high-ability learners through a focus on access, equity, inclusion and diversity. All students deserve an education that provides meaningful growth academically, socially and emotionally.
Each year, every second grader in Jeffco takes The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative and nonverbal questions. The results of this test inform teachers which students may be identified as gifted and talented.
What Is A Gifted Student?
GT students are learners between the ages of four and 21 whose abilities, talents or potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special educational programming. Children under five who are gifted may also receive early childhood special educational services.
Gifted students include students from all backgrounds who have exceptional abilities or potential. Gifted students are capable of exceptional performance, production or learning behavior and have one or more of these areas of giftedness:
Areas of giftedness
- Intellectual abilities
- Specific academic skills
- Creative or productive thinking
- Leadership abilities
- Visual arts, performing arts or musical abilities
- Physical skills
The 2024 Fall GT Center application is now closed. Please contact your GT Resource Teacher with questions regarding GT Center.
Gifted and Talented News
![Students posing in class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702256573/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/aimrnyd4ubjwyi6ku1tu/students-foothills-4.jpg","width":1920}])
Watch the on-demand videos on how to understand the CogAT Assessment for Families and Students and sign up to attend the December 10 Q&A session.
![Student posing with laptop in class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702256568/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/ccshd5oezovjbjqouusy/student-laptop.jpg","width":1920}])
Fall activities and holidays are often a source of great joy and excitement for our gifted students.
![gifted and talented logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1711152786/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/bqb1pqkbwzfxzo9gjomt/gifted-talented-news-thumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1711152786/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/bqb1pqkbwzfxzo9gjomt/gifted-talented-news-thumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1711152786/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/bqb1pqkbwzfxzo9gjomt/gifted-talented-news-thumbnail.png","width":600}])
The pre-recorded learning sessions are available. Please view any content of interest to you at your convenience. Join us for the virtual GT Office Hours from 5-6 p.m. on October 1, 2024 for follow up questions.
The virtual parent/family night topics include early access, ABCs of ALPs, executive function, social emotional needs of gifted children, identification in Jeffco after CogAT and secondary GT programming options.
The GT Department is excited to announce that we will be offering office hours for our Parents. We will provide a convenient connection opportunity for parents and families to ask general questions about our department, GT programming in Jeffco, Center Schools, and other higher-level topics with our Resource Teachers, Social Emotional Learning counselors, and department leadership.
Click "read more" to view the office hour schedule.
Responding with wonderment and awe is one affective behavior that supports students in their academic and social development.
![drawing of the word "perfectionism"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1711151616/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/hd441xbtvrsctctm4mgu/perfectionism-thumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1711151616/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/hd441xbtvrsctctm4mgu/perfectionism-thumbnail.png","width":318}])
What is perfectionism? A perfectionist is a person who refuses to accept any standard short of perfection.
![drawing of people helping each other up stairs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703606798/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/bvmcinpro7ketflabdax/gt-news-graphic.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703606798/jeffcopublicschoolsorg/bvmcinpro7ketflabdax/gt-news-graphic.jpg","width":259}])
How can strengthening students' ability to be compassionate improve their lives?
What is Compassion? Compassion for ourselves, as well as for others, helps us deal with the interpersonal challenges we face daily.
Explore these ideas with your student.
Identification
GT Identification
Jeffco screens all students in 2nd grade using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Learn about different categories of giftedness and steps families can take to request GT identification for their student.
GT Student Transfers
Jeffco honors Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Portability guidelines for students transferring from one Colorado school district to another with a GT identification that follows state guidelines.
Twice-Exceptional Students
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) defines twice-exceptional (2e) students as gifted students with disabilities.
Programming
Acceleration
Acceleration moves students through an educational program at a rate faster or at an age that is younger than typical. This can include grade skipping, moving ahead in a subject or other ways to provide greater challenges.
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP)
The Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) for identified gifted students is used as a guide for educational planning, programming and decision-making.
Early Access to Kindergarten and First Grade
Early access to elementary school for highly advanced gifted children may be granted based on evidence and board policy requirements.
GT Center Schools
Gifted centers are located in regular school settings and provide full-time educational experiences. Instruction involves acceleration, enrichment and attention to affective needs.
GT Online Courses
Jeffco offers online GT courses through Jeffco Virtual Academy (JVA) for middle school students.
SPARKS
SPARKS is a GT enrichment program offered during the summer for Jeffco GT students.
Talent Pool
Talent Pool is a group of students who demonstrate exceptional ability in a particular area but at this time still need to meet the formal criteria for GT identification.
GT Family Resources
Jeffco provides presentations, documents, book study opportunities and other resources.
GT Frequently Asked Questions
See common questions about GT identification, GT centers, resources and more.
Contact Us
Gifted and Talented
Phone: 303-982-6650
Email: gtinform@jeffco.k12.co.us
GT Resource Teachers
A GT Resource Teacher provides services to students, teachers, administrators and parents to meet individual students' needs. GT Resource Teachers serve many schools, and are not full-time at any school.
SEL & GT Counselors
A GT Counselor, also known as a Social Emotional Learning counselor (SELC), provides social-emotional learning support for GT Center classes and listens to GT Center students' concerns about academic, emotional or social concerns.
Building Leaders
Building Leaders are members of the school staff who share info from the GT Department with the individual school's community.