BRRSD examines individual profiles to match students to services. Multiple measures are considered so that no one assessment can act as a gatekeeper. It is well researched that giftedness can be masked by underachievement, language and cultural diversity, or special needs. Great care has been taken to cast a wide, inclusive net in selecting students with unique learning needs.  Local norms (comparing student performance with other students in the district and/or school) are established and used for identification. Each child's profile is reviewed, and students who require modification of their educational program are matched to services to help achieve their potential. There is no set minimum score on any one assessment. 

Program placement will be based on student performance compared to local school norms.

Students may be matched to multiple services. Students will be reassessed annually for consideration. As students develop their knowledge and skills, they may require gifted and talented services to reach their academic potential. 

Small Group Investigations

Small Group Investigations is an enrichment experience that provides advanced learners with opportunities to explore areas of interest beyond the core curriculum while developing research, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Students work individually or in small groups to explore a topic of interest, develop research questions, gather and analyze information, and create a meaningful product to share their learning. Teachers explicitly teach the research process and guide students in using authentic research methods appropriate to their topic. Projects may draw on the practices of professionals in a particular field - for example, conducting experiments as scientists or using interviews and observations as social scientists. As a result, Small Group Investigations extend beyond the traditional school research report and encourage students to pursue meaningful, authentic learning.

Students in Grades 2-5 who are matched to this service participate in a weekly pull-out enrichment experience at their home school. Services for Grades 2-5 begin in the fall. Services for Kindergarten and Grade 1 begin later in the school year.

Cluster Grouping

Cluster grouping is the practice of purposefully grouping identified gifted learners together in a general education classroom. Students will be grouped with like-ability peers for enrichment and/or acceleration, in their home school in third, fourth, and fifth grade.

Grade 5 E Mathematics

Students demonstrating advanced mathematical readiness may be accelerated into E Mathematics, which incorporates Grade 6 standards and curriculum.

Identification Measures

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT):  Multiple-choice-based assessment provides information regarding abstract conceptualization in relationship to age and grade-level.

• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): A computerized adaptive multiple choice assessment that measures knowledge in reading and mathematics based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

• Curricular Measures: Assessments that measure a student’s mastery of grade-level standards and curriculum-based skills.

Additional Information about Gifted and Talented programs

K-8 Parent G&T Virtual Information Presentation Recording - Click here to access the recording

K-8 Parent G&T Information Slideshow - Click here to access the slideshow