WHO?

Identification of students is conducted to determine which students require program alterations because of their unique educational needs.

Gifted and talented students possess a combination of abilities enabling them to demonstrate high achievement and/or potential in general intellectual ability.

Typically, gifted students differ from their age-peers in three important ways:

1. They absorb information at a faster rate and process it very efficiently.

2. They are often able to comprehend information with greater depth than their classmates, showing surprising insight and understanding.

3. They often have interests that are more typical of older children or even adults.

These three learning differences are frequently enhanced by other complementary characteristics: independence, persistence, nonconformity, and motivation.

HOW?

Parents, teachers, professional school staff, and students my refer those students who exhibit gifted characteristics.

Persons making referrals must complete a Referral Form and submit it to the grade level PACE teacher.

Parents of referred students also complete additional data specified in a referral packet.

TESTING

All students who are referred for PACE must follow identification procedures which include additional testing. This testing occurs at a student's home school in fall and spring testing sessions (grades 1-8). Students are identified using qualitative and quantative measures including teacher rating scales and standardized test scores.

PLACEMENT DECISIONS

After all data has been gathered, a building selection committee reviews a student profile sheet containing information from the testing process and makes a placement decision. A letter is mailed to the parents informing them of the test results and notifying them of the committee's decision.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Elementary School

In the elementary school, PACE implementation varies by grade. Students in K-3 meet in cluster groups with the classroom PACE teacher. Pullout classes with the gifted specialist begins in grade one and vary from one one hour a week for first graders to three hours a week for fifth graders. The content units taught in PACE pullout classes focus on critical thinking processes such as problem solving, decision making, researching, creative/productive thinking, and communicating.

HELP!

To get more information about the PACE program, you may contact the Gifted Specialist (Jackie DeGarmo) at Forman.

The PACE team teachers for this school are:

- Kindergarten
Michelle Powell- First Grade
Belinda Gardner - Second Grade
Martha Preston- Third Grade
Laura Coonce- Fourth Grade
Angele Bohling- Fifth Grade

OUR PACE TEACHER Joan Patrick After high school at Plano East Senior High, I moved to Denton, Texas, to attend the University of North Texas. I got my first real job with my teaching degree at Forman and have been here ever since. I have taught first, second, third and fourth grades. A few years ago, I began teaching PACE at Forman. At home, I have one cute little dog who is almost 15 and a cat who is 4. During breaks from school, I love to travel and was able to go to Israel several years ago, but my favorite places to visit will always be Colorado and New York City. Reading and watching movies are also a couple of my favorite things to do when I have time. email: Joan.Patrick@pisd.edu Ext 21217