Three cheers for the Champaign Unit 4 gifted program. While relatively few children, even those who are high-performing, will test into it — it is nice to know that the district is serving as many children as possible. I’ve read before that gifted children fall under the spectrum of special needs. Of course, when most people think of children with special needs, they conjure up images of children with a learning disability such as dyslexia or with a developmental issue such as autism. But gifted children also have special needs for educational resources outside the “norm.”
Champaign Unit 4 has gifted classrooms in four elementary schools: Dr. Howard, Garden Hills, Booker T. Washington, and Stratton. The program generally starts in second grade (although this year the district is piloting a first-grade gifted classroom.)
All first graders in Champaign Unit 4 are screened for this opportunity. What many people may not know is that it is possible to have your child tested for the Unit 4 Gifted and Talented program, even if they are attending other schools or are homeschooled.
Testing for placement in the Champaign School District gifted classes for the school year 2013-14 will be administered to those who apply. Applications are available for students who are first grade through fourth grade. Students testing should be residents of Champaign Unit 4 School District and have completed an application.
According to the fine print: “Parents with children in private schools should contact the Gifted Department at the Mellon Administrative Center for applications. Please forward completed applications to Trevor Nadrozny, Director of Curriculum, 703 South New Street, Champaign IL 61820. Students from private schools will test at the Mellon Administrative Center.Parents of private school students will be notified of the time and date following receipt of completed applications within the deadline which is Friday, January 11. All testing at this time is used for placement in the gifted program for the 2013-14 school year.
An informational meeting for parents interested in the gifted program will be held Tuesday, January 15 at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at the Mellon Administrative Center.”
For more information on Unit 4’s Gifted and Talented program, visit the Unit 4 website (here is its FAQ).