The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board offers a specialized Gifted Program for exceptional students at the primary, junior, intermediate and senior levels. The Gifted Program is a system-based program located in designated schools across the OCDSB.
Assessment Procedures
Exceptionally advanced students from grade 1 to the secondary level may be considered for the Specialized Gifted program.
Nominated students are administered group standardized tests of cognitive ability. The parent(s)/guardian(s) and classroom teachers are also requested to provide information regarding each student’s learning needs and interests. Additional information may be required from OCDSB Learning Support Services personnel. Assessment reports from hospitals, from private practitioners and from other educational jurisdictions may also be considered.
New OCDSB students will follow similar procedures as those noted above, whether or not previously identified as intellectually gifted by another board. A student interview may replace the teacher nomination. Please note that assessments are conducted only with informed parental/guardian consent.
Placement Procedures – Elementary Specialized Gifted Program
Entry into this program is based on both the student’s specific needs and the availability of space in the Gifted Program. An application for placement in the program is made by the student’s community school principal in collaboration with the in-school team and in consultation with the multi-disciplinary team. The application must be supported by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). If the application is approved according to placement criteria and the availability of a space is determined, the Central Recommendation Committee will contact the community school in order to confirm placement with parent(s)/guardian(s). This will be followed by an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting.
In-school teams, in consultation with the multi-disiplinary team, will consider a recommendation for change in a student's placement based on the following criteria: a) no longer benefiting from specialized placement, b) evidence of on-going successful integration, or c) not complying with program expectations.
Transportation is provided according to the applicable OCDSB policy.
Program
The OCDSB provides two delivery models for the Gifted Program at the elementary level:
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specialized classes in English (grades 1-8) and French Immersion (Grades 5-8) at designated schools across the OCDSB |
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programming through differentiation or withdrawal within a community school |
At the secondary level, the Gifted Program is offered at designated schools across the OCDSB. Students identified through the IPRC process and who have chosen to attend a Gifted Program receive approximately 50 per cent of their courses in a specialized class in Grades 9 and 10. The course load for the Gifted Program varies in grades 11 and 12.
Programming is based on the learning expectations outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP), which is developed and coordinated by the special education teacher in consultation with parent(s)/guardian(s) and subject area teachers. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is designed for each student according to their individual learning needs and strengths. This plan is revised and updated based on the results of ongoing assessment and evaluation.
Learning Support Services personnel provide assessment and consultative services to the special education teacher.
The Gifted Program at the elementary level, is limited in size as outlined in the OCDSB’s Special Education Plan.
Evaluation Methods
Ongoing assessment and evaluation occurs throughout the year.
Student progress is formally reported as per the reporting structure of the OCDSB on the provincial report card.
The progress of an IPRC’d student is formally reviewed on an annual basis through the IPRC process.
For Further Information:
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Consult the OCDSB Special Education/Student Services Parent Guide about the Identification, Placement and Review Committee process. |
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For more detailed information, contact the school principal or the OCDSB Learning Support Services personnel serving the school. |
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