Gifted/Delta Program

Is My Child Gifted?

Characteristics of Gifted Learners

There will be differences in the characteristics of or behaviors exhibited by gifted children. Some common characteristics of gifted students are:

Superior reasoning powers
Persistent intellectual curiosity
Wide range of interests
Marked superiority in quality or quantity of written and/or spoken vocabulary
Reads avidly and absorbs books well beyond his or her years
Learns quickly and easily and retains what is learned
Shows insight to arithmetical problems that require careful reasoning and grasps mathematical concepts readily
Has a keen sense of humor
Sets high standards for self

Many children will display some of these characteristics.  However, research suggests that only two to three percent of the population are gifted to the extent that they required educational options beyond the regular classroom n order to reach their potential.  Gifted programming is designed to meet the special learning needs of this population.


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Program Description

The Delta program is open to students in grades K - 8 who meet or exceed the entrance criteria.  Requirements are based on scores from District and Statewide Achievement tests, advanced scoring on the GATES and SAGES testing, and a Full Scale IQ of 127 on Nationally Recognized IQ tests.  For more information on these services, please contact 816-858-7001.

The Platte County R-3 School District has several special programs designed to challenge students who are academically gifted and help them develop their talents. Gifted programs teach students about critical thinking, logic, creativity and problem-solving.
At the elementary level, the gifted program is a pull-out class called Delta. At the middle school, students attend Delta classes in their own school. At the high school level, students have opportunities to take advanced placement and honors-level classes.

 Staffing:

 

Deborah Burr - Gifted instructor for the Platte City Middle School and Paxton Elementary.

Deborah has a BS in Business Education, from Southwest MO State University, she also has a MS in Education (K-12 Gifted). Deborah has ten years teaching experience in Gifted Education, 4 years at the Phelps Center for Gifted Education, Springfield, Mo and this is her 9th year as a Pirate in the Platte County R-3 School District.


 

Teresa Sidwell - This is Teresa's 2nd year as a Pirate in the Platte County R-3 School District.

Teresa has come to our district from the Kearney R-1 Schools, where she was an Elementary Guidance Counselor. She has a Bachelor and Masters of Science from Northwest Mo State Univeristy as well as Certification in K-12 Gifted Education.  

Locations

Gifted Education is provided at each building level. Our Gifted Staff visits each building during the week to provide services for this program.

Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide leadership in the education of the intellectually gifted. We are committed to nurturing gifted individuals to their full potential for the fulfilment of self and the betterment of society.    

Vision Statement
Our vision is to make the Gifted Education Program a model of excellence in the education of the intellectually gifted. We will achieve this vision by providing professional expertise and exemplary resources to develop intellectual rigour, humane values and creativity in gifted youths to prepare them for responsible leadership and service to country and society.


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Contacts

For more information on the Gifted/ Delta Program, please contact the Special Services Department, Debbie Stenner, Director.  816/858-7001