The mission of RSU #3 is to establish an optimal learning environment in which students strive to develop high aspirations to use as a basis for working toward attaining their highest potential. In accordance with Maine rules that govern Gifted and Talented education, the Gifted and Talented Program in RSU #3 is dedicated to providing those differentiated educational experiences to serve students Kindergarten through 12, in Mathematics, English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Visual/Performing Arts.

What is the Gifted and Talented Program?

The RSU 3 Gifted and Talented program supports students who have been formally identified as Gifted and Talented in either Academics or Arts. Gifted Students will have access to an Education Plan that outlines their needs and goals.  This plan will be reviewed each year.  The G/T coordinator will work with identified students to access the multiple pathways available for identified students.  Services available to gifted students will vary depending upon the student’s needs, but may include enrichment activities, differentiated instruction, specialized classes, or access to individualized programming. To be identified as Gifted and Talented, a student must go through the RSU 3 screening and identification process, which is explained by following the links below. This identification process is required whenever a student enters a new grade span (3-5, 6-8, 9-12), or when a student transfers into RSU 3 from a different school– whether the student has been previously identified as gifted and talented at an earlier grade level or not. This requirement stems from the state’s regulations for Gifted and Talented education. A committee meets yearly to review evidence collected about the students who are screened for the program. Although parents, students, or teachers may submit materials for consideration at any point in the year, the committee only meets at established times. Thus, screening materials will remain "on file" with the Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator until the next time the identification committee meets. 

Who should consider the Gifted and Talented Program?

Students who are highly gifted, intellectually advanced, and/or highly creative, should consider screening for the Gifted and Talented Program, especially if they thrive on project-based learning that involves investigation, designing unique products, and solving real-world problems. Students who are artistically gifted or talented should also consider applying for the Gifted and Talented Arts Program (scroll to the bottom for link), which has an altogether different set of offerings in the Arts.

What are the different types of Gifted and Talented Identification, and how does the program serve students according to their type of Giftedness?

Maine state law specifies three distinct categories of “Giftedness,” and requires schools to provide appropriate services to students identified in each category:

General Intellectual Ability- This means broad-based mental, cognitive capacity that is not restricted to a specific subject or skill.

Subject-Specific Aptitude- This means giftedness in a particular area, such as Mathematics, English, Science, or Social Studies. 

Artistic Ability- This means giftedness or talent in artistic areas, including both Visual and Performing Arts.

Gifted and Talented in Academics: Application and Identification 

Students identified as Gifted and Talented in Academics have access to many specialized pathways for learning. These opportunities are tailored to the student’s needs.

It is important to know that ALL students who wish to be considered for identification for the Gifted and Talented program will need to go through the screening process. At each grade span (3-5, 6-8, 9-12). This means that a student who is identified in grade 3 will need to be rescreened upon entering grade 6, and again upon entering grade 9. This is necessary because the state, which reimburses the district for Gifted and Talented education services, establishes a range of 2-5% of the school’s population for identification as gifted/talented in any particular identification area. Thus, a student who falls within this percentage range in one school, may not when moving into a different school.  Because of the way state law defines Giftedness, it is a common practice to reassess students’ eligibility as they advance through school.

Luckily, the identification process has been designed to be low-impact. For all students who wish to go through the screening, parents, students, or referring teachers can request that  relevant information (such as report cards and test scores) be transferred to the district Gifted and Talented coordinator, who will then maintain this evidence and present it to the identification committee. At certain points in the year, the identification committee will convene to identify students who meet the criteria. 

To Initiate a Referral:

1] Below, on this website, locate the three different online referral forms used to collect information from students, parents, and teachers who are referring children to the program. Note that for grades 9-12, the process requires at least two different referral types: parent, teacher, and student (self).  If students or parents would like teachers to complete a referral, it is up to the students and/or their parents to request this of teachers at the earliest possible time. Please be considerate of teachers’ time in making these requests. Please reach out to Mr. Jay McIntire, Gifted and Talented teacher, with questions.

2] Students may submit examples of academic work that demonstrates their intellectual capabilities. These may include writing samples or projects. There is a place on the student referral form to upload.  These may also submitted by email (.pdf from written files, .jpeg for photos) to Jay McIntire, Gifted and Talented Teacher, at jmcinitre@rsu3.org.

3] We do not require any particular standardized assessment scores for identification; however, state rules require that we consider at least one objective source of evidence. Our district provides access to several types of standardized assessment for all students, depending upon grade level. For specific information about the standardized assessments that are available for any RSU 3 student, please contact the student’s principal.

If you have further questions about the G/T program, the screening process, or identification, please feel free to direct questions to Jay McIntire (jmcintire@rsu3.org).

Screening and Identification Process

General Intellectual Ability and/or Subject Specific Aptitude

Step 1: Fill out Referral Forms - To begin the application process, referrals are needed from two of the following three types: parent, teacher, and student (self).  It is certainly acceptable, and encouraged, to submit referral forms of all three types-- and perhaps more than one teacher referral (from different teachers) but this is not required. All of these referral forms are electronic, and the links are below. When submitted, they are shared directly with the Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator, who then shares them with the identification committee at the appropriate time. We highly encourage students in middle and high school grades to fill out a self-referral form.

Parent Referral Form-- G/T Program

Teacher Referral Form-- G/T Program

Student Self-Referral Form-- G/T Program

These forms are all designed to provide a sense of the student's learning style-- they are NOT indicators of intelligence or ability. The information they provide will be used by the identification committee to gain a sense of the whole child.

Step 2: Submit Grades and Test Scores and Sample- Once these referrals (again, at least two of the three types) have been submitted, the following materials should be emailed in .pdf form to Jay McIntire (the Gifted and Talented teacher), to be included in the student's application packet:

• The child's most recent report card, or an up-to-date transcript;

• Reports of recent, available standardized test scores (NWEA, PSAT, SBAC, MEA, etc.);

• Students may submit at least one work sample they feel represents their abilities and interests .This could be a creative writing piece, a formal writing piece, projects that the student has made (either for school or perhaps for a special exhibit, such as a Maker's Fair or 4-H project), or other meaningful products. If the project involves a demonstration or a physical product that cannot be submitted, photos, video, and/or a written description may be shared. Work can also be shared electronically with the Gifted and Talented teacher (jmcintire@rsu3.org).

The Gifted and Talented Program teacher will keep these on file and share them with the identification committee at the appropriate time. All materials will be kept confidential. If grades and/or standardized test scores are not available (for example, if a student has been homeschooled or has recently moved), please provide the Gifted and Talented Program teacher (jmcintire@rsu3.org) with a written explanation.


Identification for the Gifted and Talented Program in Academics
Once all materials have been submitted as explained in the steps above, they will be reviewed holistically by the identification committee, which will identify students who are eligible for participation in the program. Students who have screened, together with their parents, will be notified by mail of the status of their application.

Program Rationale - An Emphasis on Creativity
The RSU 3 Gifted and Talented Program in Academics and the Arts anchors educational opportunities for identified G/T students. The state-approved programs serve students with both demonstrated and potential exceptional abilities in intellectual, academic, and artistic areas in the visual and performing arts. Our Gifted and Talented Program includes an array of academic opportunities including: personalized education plans overseen by the G/T teacher, unique coursework and independent study opportunities, small group and individualized instruction, special enrichments, acceleration by subject and grade level when appropriate, and other learning experiences appropriate for gifted, talented, and highly creative students.