Overview

This area provides information about identification and programming for students who are intellectually gifted.

The CBE meets the needs of students who have been identified as intellectually gifted in many settings including:

• Their designated CBE community or neighbourhood school
• Other CBE Programs and CBE Alternative Programs
• Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program

Identification

Students are gifted when they perform, or show potential for performing, remarkably high levels of accomplishment in learning rate, depth of knowledge, and reasoning and problem-solving abilities when compared with others of their age, experience, and environment. (Alberta Education, 2004)

Alberta Education uses a broad definition of giftedness including intellectual, academic, artistic and kinesthetic talents Special Education Coding Criteria for Gifted and Talented: (ECS-12: Code 80), pg. 6.

In accordance with Alberta Education guidelines, the diagnosis of intellectual giftedness is completed through intelligence testing by a registered psychologist.

To be identified with the special education need “Gifted and Talented”, the following conditions must be met:

• The student is identified as intellectually gifted
• Giftedness impacts the student’s educational programming needs.
• The student receives individualized support within the educational environment for giftedness

Community School

Students who meet the criteria for the special education identification “Gifted and Talented” are provided programming based on the results of specialized assessment and communicated through an Individualized Program Plan (IPP).

The regular classroom in the community school is the first placement consideration for educational programming for students who are gifted.

Programming is provided in accordance with the following policy documents:

• Alberta Education policy, Educational Placement of Students with Special Needs, 2003
• Standards of Special Education, June 2004
• CBE Administrative Regulation 3003: Special Education Programming

Programs

Several CBE Programs and CBE Alternative Programs (Program Choices) may address the exceptional interests and skills of gifted learners.

Examples of these programs include (but are not restricted to):

• Academic Enrichment (AP and IB)
• Arts Centred Learning
• Language Programs
• Montessori
• Sports Enhanced Learning Opportunities
• Science Schools
• Traditional Learning Centres

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) - Grades 4-12

Who is it for?
Students identified as intellectually gifted whose learning needs are best met in a congregated setting.

Purpose
Offers an array of curriculum opportunities designed to meet gifted students’ diverse needs, interests, and abilities.

Placement
Involves a referral and selection process

Program locations

GATE program 2013-2014 school year map (pdf)

Area	Div II (Gr.4-6)	Div III (Gr.7-9)	Div IV (Gr. 10-12)
North (Areas I,II,III)	Hillhurst	Queen Elizabeth HS	Queen Elizabeth HS
South (Areas IV,V)	Nellie McClung	John Ware	Henry Wise Wood

Brochure

Gifted and Talented Education Program Grades 4-12 (pdf)

GATE placement process and documents

CBE programs and alternative programs
Many alternative programs have established admission criteria and selection process. Please check the particular program web page for information

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Programs
For CBE enrolled students, the School Learning Team, with parent consent, makes a placement referral to the appropriate GATE school in accordance with the Placement Process.  Applicants external to the Calgary Board of Education submit the required documents to the Specialist, Gifted Education at the Education Centre.

The GATE placement consideration package provides specific criteria and process for referral to the GATE program. 

• Process for 2013-14 GATE Placement | word | pdf
• School Form for 2013-14 GATE Placement Consideration Package | word | pdf
• Parent Form for 2013-14 GATE Placement consideration Package | word | pdf
• Schedule of GATE Information Evenings Nov 2012

Placement letters
If offered a placement, the parent must sign and return the GATE Placement Letter.

 

Resources

Alberta Education documents

• The Learning Team: A Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs
• Principal’s Toolkit to Support the Learning Team
• The Journey - A handbook for parents of children who are gifted and talented

CBE and related websites

Available to CBE employees: 

• Staff Insite - Exceptional Needs: Gifted
• CBE Gifted D2L Shell (request permission from a site administrator: David Holland Specialist, Gifted Education djholland@cbe.ab.ca)

Other resources and websites

• CBE Gifted and Talented Education Program Grades 4-12 (pdf)
• GATE Parents' Association Website
• Some Useful Resources About Giftedness (compiled Nov 2012)