Gifted and Talented

Welcome to the Gifted and Talented program for students in grades K-12. Please view our resources to the left to learn more about this growing program.  Kindergarten is serviced at the school level by the Enrichment and Intervention Teachers for whole class lessons throughout the year.  Below are frequently asked questions about the Gifted and Talented program.

How does the program work?

K-3 Students: All students receive gifted and talented (enrichment) lessons in their homeroom. Students identified as eligible for Gifted and Talented program services in grades 4-12 receive enrichment by either pull out instruction or in class enrichment. 

Eligibility

  • At the end of 2nd grade , all students are evaluated. 

  • At the end of 6th grade, all students are evaluated.           

  • At the end of 8th grade, all students are evaluated, teacher recommendation, and report card grades.

  • High School students, identified as Gifted or Talented via screening completed by the end of grade 8; or via teacher recommendation, and report card grades.

    •  All students are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities  (pending health clearance and applicable try-out processes). 

Criteria Utilized:

We use multiple measures to determine if a student qualifies for our Gifted and Talented program. The students are evaluated based on their TPS G&T Matrix score that includes scores on the CogAT assessment, P.E.T.S. (Primary Education Thinking Skills) Rubric & Checklist,  teacher recommendation, Benchmark Assessments, and an interest project. If an additional measure is requested, we will administer the SAGES reasoning assessment. See breakdown of percentages noted above under policies and procedures.

 

Complaint/Concerns Procedure (NJ DOE requirement)

Families are permitted to contact district administration and to move forward with an appeal. All appeals are accepted and reviewed.

The Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act, has established guidelines if a parent/guardian is not satisfied, the individual may file a complaint with the Board of Education.  If the parent/guardian remains unsatisfied with an appeal to the Board of Education, the family may file a petition of appeal of the Board's written decision to the Commissioner of Education.

Gifted and Talented Program Contacts 

Joanne Sung, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning

[email protected]

Dr. Charisse Smith, Supervisor Social Studies K-6

[email protected]

Fateema Nelson, Supervisor Social Studies 7-12

[email protected]


The Trenton Public School District recognizes the diverse abilities and learning styles of all children.

There are students within the city of Trenton who possess and display innate attributes of giftedness in a variety of academic and extracurricular categories. The Trenton Public School’s Office of Teaching and Learning proposed a Gifted and Talented Program in accordance with the guidance of the National Åssociation for Gifted Children and the New Jersey Department of Education (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1) to support such students.

The proposed program includes comprehensive enrichment for all students in kindergarten through third grade, and programmatic enhancements via pull-out instruction, accelerated and/or elective courses for students identified as Gifted and Talented Learners in grades 4-12.  Students' eligibility for Gifted and Talented services will be assessed and determined using multiple measures through the structures identified in the Gifted and Talented program proposal.

Please refer to the Trenton Board of Education Policy #2464 - GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS for additional information.  Questions and concerns regarding eligibility and enrollment in the Trenton Public Schools Gifted and Talented program can be directed to the Trenton Board of Education.

 

Gifted & Talented Aug. 29, 2022, Board Meeting Presentation