SOAR

Sandy Valley

Gifted Program

Diane Oplinger- Coordinator of Gifted Services

Kristen Woods- Gifted Intervention Specialist

Marie Marcoaldi - Gifted Intervention Specialist

What Does SOAR Stand For?

S- Stimulating Minds

O- Ongoing Exploration

A- Achieving New Levels

R- Rising to the Challenge

Gifted 101

• State definition
• "GIFTED" means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under division (a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

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• Annemarie Roeper’s definition
• “Giftedness is a greater awareness, a greater sensitivity, and a greater ability to understand and transform perceptions into intellectual and emotional experiences.”

��Gifted Operating Standards�(passed in 1999, amended in 2008, revised 2017, amended in 2018, revised 2024)��

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• Districts must use standardized tests and checklists from a list approved by Ohio Dept. of Education

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• Areas of Gifted Identification:
• Cognitive Ability
• Achievement (reading/language, math, science, social studies)
• Creativity
• Visual & Performing Arts (music, art, drama, and dance)

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��Gifted Operating Standards Cont.�(passed in 1999, amended in 2008, revised 2017, amended in 2018)��

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• Assessments must be given whole grade - once in  K-2, once in grades 3-6:
• Superior Cognitive, Math, Reading
• Sandy Valley’s Assessment Schedule:
• Superior Cognitive/Creativity: Grades 2 and 5
• Achievement – Reading and Math (ITBS) Grade 1; Reading and Math (STAR) - Grades 3-12

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• Scores can be used for identification for two years; however, once identified, always identified.

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��Gifted Operating Standards Cont.�(passed in 1999, amended in 2008, revised 2017, amended in 2018)���

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Written Education Plans

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• WEP’s are required for all students served with a gifted teacher or regular classroom teacher. A new one is sent every year.
• Used with students identified as gifted
• WEP goals reflect the course/class content and identified areas
• WEPs will usually be sent home during the first nine weeks

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• There is no mandate to serve- just identify!

Serving Gifted Students

• Setting and service criteria is determined by individual districts. Setting and services may include:

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• Clustering, resource room, pull-out, acceleration, intervention specialist, differentiation, educational options

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• Questioning techniques, compacting, tiered assignments, flexible grouping, independent studies, learning centers, contracts

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Elementary Gifted Services

• Setting and gifted services at Sandy Valley Elementary may include:

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• Cluster grouping, pull-out, acceleration, and/or working directly with a gifted intervention specialist

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• Quality Instruction for gifted students at Sandy Valley Elementary that complements the curriculum may include:

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• Depth & Complexity, Signposts, Socratic Seminars, Debates, Literature Circles, Open-Ended Discussion Questions, Project-Based Learning, Research Projects, Book Clubs, Multi-Step Problems, Short-Term and Long-Term Projects, Depth of Knowledge Prompts, Collaborative Problem Solving, and/or Independent Studies

Acceleration - 5th Grade Math

• In the late spring of fourth grade, a rubric is used to assess students who potentially would qualify for the advanced 6th grade math class.

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• Those who meet the rubric’s criteria are accelerated. This means they learn 5th and 6th grade math concepts and curriculum in the 5th grade year. This class takes place at Sandy Valley Elementary.

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• Students take the 6th grade Math OST test at the end of the year.

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• The students will continue to follow advanced placement through their remaining years. (ex: In 6th grade they will take 7th grade math, in 7th grade they will take 8th grade math, etc.)

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Middle School/High School Options

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At Sandy Valley Middle School, gifted students are served through Accelerated, Honors or Advanced Classes. 

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• The honors classes at the middle school are offered in the areas of English, mathematics, and science. Instruction within these enriched programs provide experiences beyond those normally provided by the regular program.  
• Students in the advanced classes in Math are accelerated a year (or more) ahead in this subject. Students have received a written acceleration plan, will take state tests at the accelerated grade level, and will continue on this track through high school.

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At Sandy Valley High School, gifted students are served through honors classes, Advanced Placement Classes and College Credit Plus Classes:

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• The honors program at the high school is offered in the areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The instruction within this accelerated program provides experiences beyond those normally provided by the regular program.  
• Advanced Placement classes are offered at Sandy Valley High School. Students enrolled in these courses are eligible to take the national Advanced Placement examination in May. Colleges may use the results of these exams to award high school credit.
• The College Credit Plus Options Program provides qualified students an opportunity to take college courses while in high school on the high school or college campus. Students enrolled in these courses have the opportunity to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.  

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Common Social & Emotional Aspects of Gifted Children

Home/School Connection

Contact Us

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• Diane Oplinger: diane.oplinger@starkesc.org

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• Kristen Woods: k.woods@svlocal.org

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• Marie Marcoaldi: m.marcoaldi@svlocal.org

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Communication

• Phone or Email
• Notes Home
• Periodic Updates