GT program thrives under McClure

By Billy Woods

WM School District

The West Memphis School District's Gifted and Talented program recently held its annual luncheon for administrators and parents.

Annette McClure, the GT coordinator, presented all the projects being worked on inside the program. The GT program is an all-inclusive program for identified gifted students in grades 3-12. The program provides enrichment beyond the classroom.

Also, K-2 classes receive whole-class enrichment that is designed to assist in the identification of potential GT students.

At the end of the second-grade year all students are given the NNAT, a non-verbal test of reasoning, and the Williams Test, also a non-verbal test of reasoning. In addition, scores from the ITBS (for second-graders) and ACT Aspire (for grades 3-12) along with core subject grades are used to determine if a student qualifies for the GT program.

GT programs are mandated by the Arkansas State Board of Education in Little Rock.

These programs are designed to enhance and enrich the learning experience for students who possess above average abilities, task commitment and creativity.

The WMSD staff also includes facilitators Marianne Cupples in K-2, Shelley Crosthwait in third grade, Kristen Bernard in fourth grade, Amy Holt in fifth grade and Sara Hays in sixth grade.