EES Horizons
In Georgia, a gifted education student is defined as one who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her ability(ies).
Mission Statement and Beliefs
The Columbia County Gifted Education Program supports the rationale that each student should receive educational experiences appropriate for his/her individual abilities, interests, and learning styles. The program prepares the student to function at the upper limits of personal ability. The Gifted Education Program provides a differentiated curriculum of content, process, skills, and creative expression.
We believe gifted students can:
- Develop positive self-concepts relative to their giftedness and interact effectively with other students, peers, and society.
- Employ advanced critical and creative thinking skills to generate products appropriate to their giftedness, using differentiated content and processes.
- Acquire the necessary advanced thinking and self-directed learning skills to become independent creative learners and producers.
Gifted Standard 1: Gifted students will develop advanced research skills and methods as they carry out in-depth learning of self-selected topics within the area of study.
Research and Planning Processes:
1.1. Plan
1.2. Find information
1.3. Evaluate information
1.4. Use and/or interpret information
Gifted Standard 2: Gifted students will develop and practice creative thinking and creative problem-solving skills with a variety of complex topics within the area of study.
Productive Thinking Processes:
2.1. Think creatively
2.2. Solve problems creatively
2.3. Make decisions
2.4. Exhibit citizenship and/or leadership
Gifted Standard 3: Gifted students will develop and practice critical thinking and logical problem-solving skills in the pertinent academic area.
Learning Processes:
3.1. Listen, observe, and/or perceive
3.2. Outline, interview, and/or survey
3.3. Analyze and/or organize data
3.4. Function independently and/or productively
Gifted Standard 4: Gifted students will develop advanced communication skills, using new techniques, materials, and formats in the development of products that will be shared with real audiences.
Communication Processes:
4.1. Prepare and/or interpret visual communication
4.2. Prepare and/or interpret oral communication
4.3. Prepare and/or interpret written communication
Gifted Standard 5: Gifted students will develop an understanding of self and how their unique characteristics may influence interactions with others.
Reflective Thinking Processes:
5.1. Exhibit curiosity
5.2. Demonstrate persistence
5.3. Think before acting
5.4. Understand others’ perspectives
5.5. Create quality work