T.A.P. in Culpeper County
Program Description
The Culpeper Gifted and Talented Program is designed to extend the educational experiences of children who have met the County criteria for gifted services. Tapping Academic Potential (TAP) is designed for kindergarten through grade three. Academically Challenging Education (ACE) is designed for grades four through twelve. Advanced classes are available for these students in grades six through twelve. During the school year, Mountain Vista Governor's School for Science, Math and Technology is available for high-ended learners in grades eleven and twelve. Brochures regarding the elementary and secondary programs can be downloaded from this site by clicking elementary or secondary.
Students may be identified to receive gifted services in the following areas: general intellectual ability (grades K-12), language arts (grades 4-12), mathematics (grades 4-12), science (grades 4-12), and visual and performing arts (grades 9-12). A student may be referred in writing for the identification process by a parent, teacher, peer, community ember, or by self-nomination. Referral forms may be obtained from the gifted facilitator of each school, administrators, guidance counselors, or teachers at each school. Culpeper County schools use multiple criteria to assure the systematic and objective selection of students for gifted services.
All students identified for the gifted program in grades one through five are cluster-grouped within the general education classroom. Students identified for the gifted program i grades six through twelve are clustered in classes which are designated as delivering gifted services. The general education teacher who teaches a cluster of gifted students differentiates curriculum instruction to meet their needs. These teachers participate in staff development on differentiated instruction and on the needs of the nature of gifted students annually.
The gifted facilitators are responsible for screening and assessment, leading the school identification/placement committee, offering local school staff development to cluster teachers, and facilitating services for gifted students. The gifted facilitators act as differentiation resource personnel to the cluster teachers. Each school in Culpeper County is serviced by a gifted facilitator.
Students identified eligible to receive gifted services in kindergarten receive services in the general education classroom. Students identified eligible to receive gifted services in grades one through three are provided with appropriate instruction through the pull-out TAP class in each elementary school as follows:
Ace students identified eligible to receive gifted services in grades four and five are provided with appropriate instruction through the pull-out ACE class in each elementary school. These students will receive services for a minimum of two and one quarter hours per week either in class and/or in the resource room.
Students identified eligible to receive gifted services in grades six, seven, and eight are cluster-grouped in accelerated classes in language arts and mathematics, and in science and social studies classes. These students have the opportunity to enroll in accelerated classes in language arts and mathematics. Eighth grade student have the opportunity to take a foreign language. Sixth and seventh grade students have the opportunity to enroll in ACE as a semester elective.
The Culpeper County Schools Gifted Program TAP/ACE curriculum for grades one through seven is based o both enrichment and acceleration and supports the Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools. The program accommodates the high abilities of gifted students, and leads to greater knowledge and development of creativity and other thinking skills. The gifted facilitators follow a division-wide core curriculum.
In grades nine through twelve, students identified eligible to receive gifted services are offered a full range of challenging courses, including Honors, Advanced Placement, Independent Study, Advanced Art, Virtual High School, and Dual Enrollment classes. The teachers of these courses participate in staff development on the needs and nature of gifted students annually. Eleventh and twelfth graders have the opportunity to participate in the Mountain Vista Governor's School for Science, Math, and Technology.
Students identified eligible to receive gifted services in the visual or performing arts in grades nine through twelve have the opportunity to take various classes offered in art, drama, band, and chorus.
Students who are identified eligible to receive gifted services in grades five, six and seven have the opportunity to attend the Regional Governor's School for the Gifted (Summerquest!). Students who are identified eligible for gifted services in eleventh grade have the opportunity to attend Residential Summer Governor's School for the Gifted.
School level information and discussion meetings for parents of students identified eligible to receive gifted services, interested community members, and parents are held twice during the school year. The purpose of these meetings is to foster the social and emotional needs of gifted students and their families and to promote communication between the school system and parents. Each school supports the County Parent Advisory Committee for Gifted Education with parent and teacher representatives. These meetings are held three times during the year.