To date, students are currently identified as gifted in the specific academic areas of language arts and mathematics. Talent Pool placement means that a student shows gifted characteristics and is placed in a learning environment where those talents can be given time to develop. Each Talent Pool placement is reviewed for gifted identification during the student's fourth grade year.

Christiansburg Primary’s gifted specialist, Brenda Mash, collaborates with the classroom teacher to provide in-class differentiation and enrichment opportunities for all students who are identified as gifted or who have been placed in the Talent Pool. She also works closely with classroom teachers to define, find, and meet the needs of gifted and Talent Pool students.  Additional responsibilities include evaluating students in grades K-5 who may qualify for these services and keeping parents informed of their child’s status through a written Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) or a Talent Development Plan (TDP) and a spring follow-up letter.

The Montgomery County Public School Gifted Education staff is working hard to involve parents and the community in gifted programs. A Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) is in place to help support staff and provide additional guidance in meeting the needs of gifted students. You are invited to become a part of this committee and encouraged to lend your support for gifted education in your community. If you would like to know more about the GAC, please call 382-5190 for more information.

1. National Association for Gifted Children  www.nagc.org/

2. Council for Exceptional Children  www.cec.sped.org/

3.  MCPS gifted program.  Its URL is www.mcpsgifted.info.

4.  A resource page for parents.  Its URL is http://www.hoagiesgifted.com