Gifted Education Program
The Harford County Public School System believes that students are bright in many different ways. Educators
have a responsibility
to identify and nurture the gifts and talents of all students through acceleration and enrichment. Educators
seek to effectively identify and enhance the development of outstanding potential and capability within the
diverse student population. Multiple sources are used to match students to appropriate learning options and
students are encouraged to nominate themselves for participation in activities which emphasize high levels
of challenge or talent development.
The program emphasizes a collaborative effort that includes classroom teachers and specialized personnel
trained in gifted
and talented education. The effort often directly involves administrators, parents, and community resource
persons, as well. All students are given the opportunity for enrichment experiences, and students showing
unusual potential or distinctive areas of strength and interest have the opportunity for additional
assistance
to develop these areas of unusual capability. Depth and complexity of curriculum may also need to be
enriched,
using such methods as interdisciplinary learning, tiered assignments, independent investigations, project
learning, interest centers and groups, mentoring, and opportunities to work outside of the classroom. It
is important to note that enrichment, when considered as a differentiated strategy for gifted students,
takes
place instead of completing assignments in the regular curriculum.
Services for bright students emphasize broad-based knowledge acquisition and problem solving, tailoring
unique learning opportunities
to the strengths and needs of each child. Acceleration and enrichment options for individuals and groups
of students will vary from school to school, as they are responsive to needs of students in each population
and in the context of the general education programs at each building. At the secondary level, options
include
advanced placement courses, honors courses, independent study, and early college courses.
Our Mission
Students performing at remarkably high levels, when compared with their peers, or who show potential to
do so, will be provided
with rigorous differentiated services that meet their needs through active collaboration with
stakeholders.
EGATE SCHOOLS: Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education
Harford
County Public Schools is proud to be home to three of the state’s EGATE award winning
schools recognized for their gifted and talented programs. EGATE is an awards program to
recognize public schools with Gifted and Talented education programs that are aligned with
Maryland’s Criteria for Excellence: Gifted and Talented Program Guidelines.
-
Halls Cross Roads Elementary, 2010
Principal: Ms. Gwen Benjamin-Jones
GT Teacher: Ms. Marcia Cole
-
Prospect Mill Elementary, 2011
Principal: Mr. Chris Cook
GT Teacher: Ms. Mary Murray
-
Hickory Elementary, 2012
Principal: Ms. Jeannette Jennings
GT Teacher: Ms. Verna Hiser
Students wishing to take the PSAT on October 19, 2019 will have the opportunity to register for the
assessment beginning August 28, 2019. The PSAT is an optional assessment administered by the College
Board in an effort to expose students to the SAT, an assessment used for college admissions, and
under Maryland Senate Bill 740, College and Career Readiness Designation. October 19 will be the
only date that the assessment will be administered for Harford County Public Schools’ students.
The PSAT is also used to identify students who may experience success in Advanced Placement courses
in high school. For more information about PSAT, please visit:
www.collegeboard.org
Registration and Payment Procedure:
- For the 2019-2020 school year, PSAT testing will take place on Saturday, October 19,
2019. The assessment is optional. October 19 will be the only date that HCPS
students can take the assessment. Your student will take the assessment at the school in which
they attend. Additional information regarding testing times will be forthcoming.
- To register and make a payment for the PSAT, please visit your student’s school’s webpage and
register through the Total Registration Online link provided. Paying for the assessment also
registers your student for the test. Please note:
- Payment and registration for PSAT will open for each high school on August 28, 2019 and will
close at 4:00 PM Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Registrations for the assessment will
not be accepted after 4:00 PM on September 17, 2019. Students cannot
take the PSAT if payment is not received by September 17, 2019.
- Fee waivers are available to students who have been approved for Free and Reduced Meals
(FaRMS). Please note:
| 1. |
Students requesting a testing waiver will register through Total
Registration
Online located on their school's website. Check the waiver designation
information located in the registration information. |
| 2. |
Students who qualify for waivers are maintained in strict confidence by
the
principal or his/her designee.
|
| 3. |
For questions about registration and waivers, please see your student’s
school
counselor.
|
Additional Information:
- Testing fees are non-refundable under all circumstances. Payments should not be made
until students are certain that they will test.
- Once payment is made through Total Registration Online, a roster of students taking the
test will be generated. This roster will be used as confirmation that the student
is registered for the assessment.
Should you have any additional questions about the PSAT or testing, please contact your student’s
school counselor.
Registration:
Locate your student’s school below. To register to take the PSAT, please click on the link
and follow the directions.
Students must take the PSAT at the school they
attend
. Please have your credit card ready:
Aberdeen High School
Bel Air High School
C. Milton Wright High School
Edgewood High School
Fallston High School
Harford Technical High School
Havre de Grace High School
Joppatowne High School
North Harford High School
Patterson Mill High School
Parent Guide for Gifted and Talented Education
Looking for more information about our identification processes and procedures? Please refer
to our "Parent Guide for Gifted and Talented Education" for more information.