Q. I’ve just moved, and my child was in a gifted program in another state. Does he or she qualify
    for Calcasieu’s gifted program?

Students who have been in a gifted program in another district or state can submit documentation to be reviewed by the Pupil Appraisal Department. If Louisiana criteria are met, then the student is placed in the program. If criteria are not met, then the Pupil Appraisal will begin an evaluation.

Q. Should my child be required to make-up all class work missed from the day he attends SPARK?

Students are responsible for concepts that are presented while they are out. The regular classroom teacher should give only the portion of the assignments necessary to ascertain that a student has grasped the new concepts presented while they were in their gifted class.

Q. Can my child miss his SPARK days for several weeks, then go back?

Gifted students are expected to attend their SPARK classes on the day scheduled. IEP’s require that students be served a certain amount of time per week. If a student misses a SPARK class, he or she needs to bring a note from a parent explaining the absence. If a student chooses not to attend SPARK class on a continuous basis, an exit IEP must be done.

Q. What homework should my child be expected to complete on his or her SPARK day?

Gifted students can master concepts and skills without much repetition. On SPARK days, a student should be required to complete any homework that covers new skills taught, but not required to complete homework that is review where skills are already mastered. Gifted education is state mandated for the identified student, and the SPARK day is one of the five school days per week. No gifted child should be required to make-up all work covered by the regular class on the day that the gifted child attends SPARK. When that happens, the gifted child then sees being gifted as a punishment.

Q. Does my child go to SPARK on the week of testing (ITBS/LEAP)?

During the week of standardized tests, SPARK classes in the pull-out program will be cancelled to allow those teachers to help as needed in the testing procedures. The gifted teacher will notify the non-public schools and bus drivers.

Q. I signed a permission form to have my child screened. When will my child be screened?

As soon as the Gifted office receives your child’s packet, it is sent to the gifted teacher who will be screening your child. Normally the child is screened within a three week period.

Q. Will I be notified by someone as to when my child will be screened?

The gifted teacher who will be screening your child will contact you as to the date and time.

Q. How do I prepare my child for screening?

Be sure that your child has a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast. It is important to explain to your child the purpose of the test. Tell the child do his or her very best. However, the child also needs to know that it is okay whatever the outcome may be, and that it is an honor to even be recommended for screening.

Q. After my child is screened, how long before the full evaluation is done by Pupil Appraisal?

If your child meets the screening criteria and goes on for further testing, the case is no longer in our department. All records are then handled by the Pupil Appraisal Department. The phone number for Pupil Appraisal is 882-0234 ext. 114. You will be notified by Pupil Appraisal within three weeks of receiving our letter.