Since 2016  HHA’s GAL Program has been recognized as an EGATE (Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education) school by the Maryland Department of Education. Our specially trained staff uses a variety of measures to identify and serve students who exhibit an exceptionally high level of academic achievement and mental ability and draw from a wide variety of evidence based practices to meet their social, emotional, and academic needs. . The Gifted and Talented Placement Team works in collaboration with classroom teachers and coaches to determine appropriate programming for each formally identified learner.   Appropriate programming  may include differentiated curricula, acceleration opportunities, and engagement in a  variety of special projects. An Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) is developed annually for each formally identified student to set goals and to spell out learner specific program plans. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY FOR GAL PROGRAMMING

We are committed to using multiple measures and rigorous criteria for identifying students who qualify for gifted or advanced programming. To qualify for gifted programming, students must demonstrate specific aptitude on two or more nationally normed measures. The initial data we consider are: for Achievement:  Measure of Academic Progress (MAP Growth Test- given in fall and spring to all students 1-8), and for Mental Ability:  Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2), administered to all kindergarten students as well as any new students entering HHA in later years. In some cases, alternative assessments are used to support formal identification. In addition to our in-house tests and measures, parents may submit the results of outside testing done by a qualified professional and/or test scores on another nationally normed test received at another school.

For more information here are some excellent resources:

If you have any questions about gifted programming at HHA, please contact Laura Guitian, Director of Gifted and Advanced Learning  at: lmguitian@bcps.k12.md.us or 410-396-9146.