Frequently Asked Questions

 1.  What does it mean to be gifted?
     The State of Illinois defines gifted students as those children whose mental development is accelerated beyond the average or who have demonstrated a specific aptitude or talent and can profit from specially planned educational services to the extent they need them.  The term include, "children with exceptional ability in academic subjects, high level thought processes, divergent thinking, creativity and the arts." McLean County Unit District No. 5 includes students who demonstrate outstanding talent or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others their age, experience, or environment.

2.  Why is there a need for Gifted Education?
     Research indicated that gifted students need special programs and the support of their parents, teachers, and the community in order to work toward fulfilling their potential. A supportive learning environment is needed where gifted students have opportunities to interact with others having similar abilities and characteristics.  Trained teachers are an essential component of a successful gifted program.  Gifted programs are designed to provide students with challenging curriculum as well as peer-interaction. Intellectually perceptive students learn, develop, and stretch their abilities in well-developed gifted education program.

3.  What program models best meet the needs of gifted students?
     Cluster grouping, pull out programs, self contained classes, and magnet schools

4.  What are the characteristics of gifted children?
     The Illinois Association for Gifted Children has adopted these traits:
     Learns quickly, is curious, shows confidence in own ideas, demonstrates imagination and strives for perfection, has a good sense of humor especially puns, has a wide range of interests, is concerned about issues of fairness and morality and make judgments about them, questions everything, comes up with several ideas and possible solutions, possess good organizational sills.

5.  As a parent, what should I be looking for in my child's classroom?
     Many differentiation strategies are used in the classroom to meet the needs of students.  The strategies may include choice activities, compacting, flexible grouping, high level questioning, literature circles, open ended questioning, simulations and tiered assignments.

6.  How can I tell if my childe is being challenged at school?
     Talk with your child's teacher.  Classroom teachers are excellent judges of age-appropriate behaviors and can give you the best indication of what they are seeing at school.  

7.  What should I do if my child says he/she is bored in school?
    Children may say they are bored when they do not perform well or are unable to focus on tasks.  Sometimes children may say they are bored when they do not want to do the task given to them.  Work with the classroom teacher to find the underlying problem.  Talk with your child.  A team approach is the best way to ensure positive results.

8.  What are the goals of Deap, the McLean County Unit District No. 5 Gifted Program?
     To meet the needs of the gifted and talented students by providing opportunities that:
     Encourage academic, emotional and social growth, challenge students to expand their knowledge and abilities, empower students with tools for life-long learning.

9.  How are children identified for Deap?
     In Unit 5, teachers examine a series of criteria including gifted characteristic profile, standardized testing, local assessment data, past school performance, and student portfolio samples.  Parents are also given the opportunity to nominate their child for the gifted program.  

10.  What if we just moved to the district?
       A new student must meet the criteria set forth by McLean County Unit District No. 5 in order to qualify for the DEAP program.  Your child's records and classroom performance will be evaluated by the classroom teacher, Gifted Lead Teacher and Advance Learner Specialist to determine if your child has need for services provided through DEAP.

11.  Is there a specific gifted curriculum?
     No, the basis for the DEAP program is the McLean county Unit District No. 5 curriculum derived from the Illinois State Standards.

12.  How is a student's progress documented?
      A record of the student's identification and participation is an important aspect of ensuring that advanced learners are appropriately challenged. At the elementary level the Gifted Lead Teachers and IMC Specialist developed a process to assist teachers in documenting student activities and performance. Copies of this form are shared with parents. They may be sent home to parents with report card or with progress reports.