Curriculum & Instruction

Ready Classroom Math (Math K-5)

• Additional Resources

myView Literacy (ELA K-5)

• Additional Resources
• Reading Videos
• Writing Videos

Studies Weekly (SS K-5)

The Great Body Shop (Health K-5)

• Additional Resources

Mystery Science (Science K-5)

Identification of Gifted Students 

Identification of Gifted Students in the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District utilizes multiple pathways including: Ability, Achievement, Creativity, Teacher-Parent Input and other Considerations. The identification process must include all students including ESL & special Education Students.

• Ability: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). 

CogAT measures abilities across the symbol systems that are most highly correlated with fluid reasoning, problem solving, and success in school. With its separate measures of Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal reasoning, this research-based and proven test provides multiple perspectives on student ability. 

• Achievement: iReady, LinkIt, & NJSLA. 

i‑Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment designed to provide teachers with actionable insight into student needs. It offers a complete picture of student performance and growth, eliminating the need for multiple, redundant tests. By adapting to student responses and assessing a broad range of skills—including skills above and below a student’s chronological grade—the i‑Ready Diagnostic pinpoints student ability level, identifies the specific skills students need to learn to accelerate their growth, and charts a personalized learning path for each student.

LinkIt! Benchmark Assessments in Reading and Math are used to measure students' mastery towards their grade level standards. 

The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) are statewide assessments that assess students’ progress toward the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in ELA, mathematics and science. English language arts (ELA) assessments will focus on writing effectively when analyzing text. Mathematics assessments will focus on applying skills and concepts and understanding multi-step problems that require abstract reasoning and modeling real-world problems, precision, perseverance, and strategic use of tools. Science assessments will focus on students’ understanding and explanation of scientific phenomena and scenarios.  

• Creativity/Teacher- Parent Input

Specials Teachers Nomination Forms, Parent Nomination Forms, ESL Teacher Nomination Forms, Teacher Observation Checklists- grades K & 1

• Other Considerations

Teacher Input, Screeners for Kindergarten, Fundations Assessments K & 1, Marking Period Grades, Writing Samples

What are the different ways gifted students are served in the classroom?

According to the National Association for Gifted Children:

Because every child is different, NAGC recognizes that there is no “one perfect program” for teaching gifted students. Instead, the NAGC Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards state that “a continuum of services must exist for gifted learners” at every level.

What exactly does this mean? Essentially, a “continuum of services” provides administrators, teachers, parents, and students with a menu of educational options that are respectful of individual student differences and mindful of classroom and community resources. This range of services can be organized in a variety of ways:

-Accommodations in the regular classroom
-Part-time assignment to both regular and special classes
-Full-time grouping with students of similar abilities
-Acceleration or grade advancement
 

https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-gifted-education

MARSD Enrichment / G&T Policy

District Policy

Additional Resources for Families:

Parents/Guardians should complete this form if they believe their child is performing well above grade level or demonstrating exceptional strengths or talents and would like their child’s performance and achievement to be reviewed to determine eligibility for gifted education services.

Once this form is received, the District Gifted Placement Team will consult and analyze test and performance data to determine if additional assessments are warranted and if the criteria for formal identification have been met. The results of the screening process will be communicated to parents through a meeting, phone call or letter.

This does not guarantee placement but provides additional information to guide placement decisions.

Gifted & Talented Nomination Form

Pursuant to A4710 1R: Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act , the following protocol must be used to file a complaint alleging that Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District  is not in compliance with the provisions of the Act. 

The alleged occurrence of noncompliance must have taken place within one year of filing the complaint. Please note: the complaint process is different from an appeal for placement of a student. The complaint process only deals with alleged procedural compliance as outlined in the Act. This process will yield no change to prior student placement decisions. 

The complaint shall include: 

• The name, address, and contact information of the complainant; and 
• A statement that the identified school district is not in compliance with the provisions of this act, and the specific facts on which the allegation of non compliance is based.

 An individual who believes that a school district has not complied with the provisions of this Act may file a complaint with the Superintendent or designee. Based on the decision of the Superintendent or designee to affirm, reject, or modify the the District’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision of the Superintendent or designee in the following order utilizing the same above described format:

• Board of Education - Based on the decision of the Board of Education to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision; to 
• Executive County Superintendent (investigation must be completed within 60 days) - Based on the decision of the Executive County Superintendent to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter, the individual may file a petition of appeal of the written decision; to 
• Commissioner of Education via Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations. 

Should the District found to be in non compliance with the Act, remediation of the Gifted and Talented Program will take place.