• Gifted and Talented Program

    Manasquan Elementary School

    Mr. Rick Coppola, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
    Gifted and Talented Coordinator

    rcoppola@manasquan.k12.nj.us

     

    The Manasquan School District’s Gifted & Talented (G&T) program aims to reach students at all grade levels, providing them with opportunities for enrichment, exploration, and academic rigor in their specific areas of strength and interest. While the criteria to qualify for these enrichment opportunities vary based on grade level and content area, teachers and administrators consistently look for ways by which to provide a variety of opportunities for students to excel.  

    Students identified for the G&T program will be provided with exciting, project-based enrichment opportunities two to three times a month from our Gifted and Talented teachers.  Students will be given passes to participate in an independent “pull-out” program to participate in these experiences. Please note that students must make up any work missed from their regular classes. In addition, the Manasquan School District also partners with the Shore Consortium for the Gifted and Talented to provide unique opportunities for student discovery and exploration.

    Each student is evaluated by multiple measures to assess their abilities in STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math), Humanities, and Visual Arts.  Students demonstrating potential or ability to perform at an exceptionally high level beyond what is normally found with children of the same age, experience, or environment will be identified in one or more of these areas.

    All students identified in one or more areas of the G&T program (STEM, Humanities, and/or Visual Arts) will be notified by October.

     

    Gifted & Talented STEM (Science - Technology - Engineering - Math)

    Students were selected to participate in the Gifted and Talented program for STEM based on the multiple measures outlined for each grade level below:

    Grade Level STEM
    Kindergarten

    Kindergarten Screener
    CoGAT (Quantitative Battery) - 2025
    iReady BOY
    iReady MOY
    Teacher Rec for STEM

    *Determination to be made February 2025
    1

    iReady EOY (previous year)
    CoGAT (Quantitative Battery) - 2024
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for K-2 G&T STEM Last Year
    2 iReady EOY (previous year)
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for K-2 G&T STEM Last Year
    3 iReady EOY (previous year)
    CoGAT (Quantitative Battery) - 2024
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    4 iReady EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - Math
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for 3-5 G&T STEM Last Year
    5 iReady EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - Math
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for 3-5 G&T STEM Last Year
    6 iReady EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - Math
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    7 iReady EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - Math
    COGAT - Quantitative - 2024
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for 6-8 G&T STEM Last Year
    8 iReady EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - Math
    Teacher Rec for STEM
    Identified for 6-8 G&T STEM Last Year

     

    Gifted & Talented Humanities

    Students were selected to participate in the Gifted and Talented program for Humanities based on the multiple measures outlined for each grade level below:

    Grade Level Humanities
    Kindergarten

    Kindergarten Screener
    Dibels BOY
    Dibels MOY
    CoGAT - Verbal Battery - 2025
    Teacher Rec for Humanities

    *Determination to be made February 2025
    1 Dibels EOY (previous year)
    Running Records EOY (previous year)
    CoGAT - Verbal Battery - 2024
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for K-2 G&T STEM Last Year
    2 Dibels EOY (previous year)
    Running Records EOY (previous year)
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for K-2 G&T STEM Last Year
    3

    Dibels EOY (previous year)
    Running Records EOY (previous year)
    CoGAT - Verbal Battery - 2024
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    4 Dibels EOY (previous year)
    Running Records EOY (previous year)
    NJSLA - ELA
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for 3-5 G&T STEM Last Year
    5 Running Records - June 2023
    NJSLA - ELA
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for 3-5 G&T STEM Last Year
    6 Running Records - June 2023
    NJSLA - ELA
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    7 NJSLA - ELA
    COGAT - Verbal Battery - 2024
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for 6-8 G&T STEM Last Year
    8 NJSLA - ELA
    Teacher Rec for Humanities
    Identified for 6-8 G&T STEM Last Year

     

    Gifted & Talented Visual Arts

    Application Process

    Our Visual Arts G&T program has been designed to provide students in grades K-8 that have demonstrated exceptional artistic talent opportunities to develop their skills and pursue their artistic passions.  Our program is taught by experienced and talented art teachers committed to fostering creativity and helping students reach their full potential. Students will engage in various art projects that challenge and inspire them using a variety of mediums. Students who participate in this program will benefit from personalized instruction and guidance as they explore different art techniques and develop their own unique style. Next school year, students in grades K – 1 will receive opportunities through differentiation in their general education and art classrooms.  Students in grades 2 – 8 will receive unique experiences outside of the classroom. 
     

    Please see the instructions for both existing members of Visual Arts G&T and new students who are interested in applying: 

     
    For students who are currently participating in the Visual Arts G&T program this school year:  

    Students will complete a reflection activity with their G&T teacher during the final sessions of the program.  We are also asking their guardians to please complete the following Microsoft form (tinyurl.com/MESVisualArtsContinuation) to continue to participate in the program for the upcoming school year. 

     

    For any new student looking to participate in the Visual Arts G&T program next school year:  

    Students must apply for the Visual Arts G&T program via an application process that gives students a chance to showcase their best work and their creative process to be considered for the program next school year. Students can access the English or Spanish version of the application below. 

      •  

    Please see information about the application process for new applicants below: 
      

    To apply for the program, please complete the application form that is included in this email or request a printed copy of the application from your child's art teacher. 

     
    The application is made up of two components: 

    1. Nomination: The nomination can be made by a parent, teacher, or art teacher. This is an opportunity to highlight your child's exceptional artistic talent and explain why they would be a good fit for the program. 
        

    1. Work of Art Portfolio: The portfolio requires three pieces of art that showcase your child's skill, along with a written component to accompany each piece. 

     
    Applications complete with both components are due to your child's homeroom teacher. If you believe that your child has exceptional artistic talent and would thrive in a program that challenges and inspires them, we encourage you to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to develop their artistic abilities and explore their creative potential. 

    The application is made up of two components:

    1. Nomination: The nomination can be made by a parent, teacher, or art teacher. This is an opportunity to highlight your child's exceptional artistic talent and explain why they would be a good fit for the program.
    2. Work of Art Portfolio: The portfolio requires three pieces of art that showcase your child's skill, along with a written component to accompany each piece.

    To apply for the program, please complete the application form in the link(s) provided below or request a printed copy of the application from your child's art teacher. 

    Applications complete with both components are due to your child's homeroom teacher by May 21.

    If you believe that your child has exceptional artistic talent and would thrive in a program that challenges and inspires them, we encourage you to apply. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to develop their artistic abilities and explore their creative potential.

     

    Gifted & Talented Appeals Process

    Parents, students, and teachers may appeal the decisions of the selection committee regarding selection or removal from the gifted program by following these steps: 

    1. Submit an appeal letter to the building principal or complete this G&T Appeals Form no later than 15 working days after the committee has notified the parents of the selection decision. 
      1. The committee members will review their decision and will respond to the person making the appeal no later than 15 working days after receipt of the letter of appeal.
      2. The committee may request additional testing or data collection and may interview the student and/or parents.

    2. If dissatisfied with the decision of the committee, file a complaint with the Manasquan Board of Education. The BOE shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter.

    3. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Board of Education, file a petition of appeal of the board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the 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.


    For more information regarding the Gifted and Talented Program, please consult Board of Education Policy #2464 (Gifted and Talented Pupils).