Exceptional Student Services

Gifted Information Session FAQs

1. What is LFNO’s Gifted Program Philosophy? At LFNO, the gifted and talented curriculum emphasizes: enrichment, accelerated higher level thinking skills (both critical and abstract), multi-disciplinary content, and a higher degree of complexity than the regular classroom. Students participate in independent and group units of study of varying lengths that are assessed using a teacher-devised rubric. We believe in moving our gifted students out of their comfort zone into areas where they are challenged to grow academically, personally and socially. We provide small-group bi-weekly instruction in French using hands-on, experiential lessons and projects that increase motivation and self-awareness in order to prepare our students for the 21st century digital age.

 

2. How do I refer my child for the Gifted program?  Complete the Gifted Referral Google form via lfno.org or complete a hard copy from the front office of each campus along with a recommendation from the current teacher.

 

3. When can I refer my child? Referrals for Gifted and Talented open on Monday, October 18, 2021.  Due to the length of the screening process and timelines involved with evaluations, Friday, March 4, 2022 will be the last day to nominate a student for the Gifted & Talented process for the school year.  

 

4. How long does the screening process take? The screening process will take approximately 15 - 20 business days. This process may take longer if there is a school break, the student is enrolled in virtual learning or there are other extenuating circumstances.

 

5. What is involved in the Gifted screening process? Students in the process are administered three screeners: intellectual, reading and math.  The intellectual screener is administered by trained examiners in person and takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. If your student is at school, they will be pulled from class to complete it; if your student is enrolled in virtual learning, a time will be scheduled for you to bring your student to school to take the assessment in person.  The academic screeners for the Johnson and McNair campuses are MAP reading and math and take approximately 60 - 90 minutes each to complete.  MAP is given to all students at BOY, MOY and EOY benchmark testing.  At Patton, eligibility is determined through a review of Trimester report cards, Dibels, and Star Math. If eligible by the data review,  the Director or Coordinator of ESS will pull students from class or schedule with the family (if virtual) to administer MAP.

 

6. How does my child move from the screening process to the evaluation?

   1. Earn a score of 2.0 standard deviations above the mean (98th percentile) on the intellectual screen, OR

   2. Earn a score of 1.5 standard deviations above the mean (94th percentile) on the intellectual screener AND scores of 1.0 standard deviations above the mean (84th percentile) on both reading and math screeners, OR

   3. Earn a score of 1.5 standard deviations above the mean (94th percentile) on the intelligence screen AND a score at least 2.0 standard deviations above the mean (98th percentile) in EITHER reading OR math.

7. How long will the evaluation process take?  The evaluation process is conducted by a certified school psychologist and educational diagnostician and can take up to 60 business days.

 

8. What happens after the evaluation? If your child passes the evaluation, a meeting will be called to disseminate the evaluation and create an initial IEP within 30 days.

 

9. My child didn’t pass the screening and/or evaluation. Can s/he be screened or evaluated again in the future?  A student may be referred again after 6 months, but not be screened or evaluated more than once per academic year.

 

10. The Gifted program is... 

    1. Academic enrichment

    2. Hands-on, project-based interdisciplinary units

    3. Development of critical thinking and social-emotional skills

    4. An opportunity for students to learn how to collaborate effectively with others

    5. Fluid, evolving whole-group instruction 

 

11. The Gifted program isn’t…

    1. Academic intervention (remediation in problem areas)

    2. Subject-specific lessons (1 subject at a time, in depth)

    3. Derived from the French curriculum (in form or function)

    4. Always going to be easy or comfortable for every learner all the time

    5. Individualized tutoring or curriculum

Do Gifted services occur during TOC? While this question does not apply for the 21-22 school year, it may for future school years. Gifted students will check in with their Gifted teachers at least once per week while their class is at TOC.  If applicable, students may continue to work on their projects during this week. For students engaged in a group project, the Gifted teacher will update them on the content/work for the week as well as what’s coming in the future.

LFNO Private Evaluation Policy

Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans accepts evaluations from private professionals and evaluators provided they meet Bulletin 1508 guidelines. Bulletin 1508 is the Louisiana State Department of Education regulatory guide for conducting evaluations and provides eligibility criteria for children suspected of being exceptional and requiring special education or related services. If a private evaluation does not meet these guidelines, LFNO will not accept the evaluation as compliant. Therefore, if a parent or guardian seeks a private evaluation for their child, it is strongly recommended they ensure the evaluators are trained on 1508 guidelines before proceeding.

Students who have been evaluated through LFNO may be referred for screening and evaluation after six months, but may not be evaluated more than once per academic year. Students who have been evaluated through LFNO may be evaluated again by a private evaluator at any time; however, if the time frame is less than a calendar year, the private evaluator must use a different version of the testing instrument or a different testing instrument altogether to ensure reliability and validity of the evaluation.

Private evaluations should be sent to the Director Special Education. Upon submission, the private evaluation will be reviewed for Bulletin 1508 compliance. Parents/guardians will be informed of the result in writing within 10 - 15 business days. If the evaluation meets 1508 guidelines, a meeting will be scheduled to create and implement the IEP. If the evaluation does not meet 1508 guidelines, no special education services will be offered at that time. However, the child may be referred to the Student Assistance Team at LFNO to discuss the needs of the child.