1253 Clinton Avenue
Irvington
New Jersey 07111
Who are the Intellectually Gifted?
The Irvington Public School District defines Intellectually Gifted students in the following way: Intellectually gifted students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Intellectually Gifted students exhibit high-performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both intellectual areas and
specific academic fields. Intellectually gifted students require differentiated education services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.
Gifted students are those students whose abilities and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional that they are among those who require special services. The Irvington Intellectually Gifted Program seeks out and provides services for students with advanced intellectual, verbal-linguistic, and/or logical-mathematical aptitude. Keep in mind that gifted individuals are not a homogenous group, and therefore may exhibit
these characteristics in varying degrees and intensities. It is not expected that a gifted child will exhibit all of the traits listed nor are the presence of any of these characteristics proof that a child is gifted.
Eligibility and Identification
Students are identified through multiple measures. The initial referral may be a recommendation from a teacher, counselor, school administrator, or parent. Universal cognitive testing is also used for students in grades 2 and 6. Following a referral or universal testing, an analysis of other measures such as standardized and locally administered assessments, subject grades, the Slocumb-Payne Teacher Perception
Inventory, and results of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) are used to determine eligbility.
Complaint Procedures
The Intellectually Gifted Program of the Irvington Public Schools follows the guidelines set forth by the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act NJ SGTA.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) with questions, concerns, or complaints about the program or the district’s ability to address a student’s needs, including identification and continuum of services, should first reach out to the school counselor or building principal. If unresolved, the next point of contact is the program supervisor listed on this website.
Any individual who believes that the district has not complied with the provisions in the law or administrative code related to gifted and talented services may file a complaint in writing with the Board of Education.
If the complaint is not resolved to the individual’s satisfaction or the individual is not satisfied by the written decision of the Board of Education, the individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board of Education’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with law (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9) and the procedures set forth in the State Board of Education regulations.