Overview
Laramie County School District 1 believes high achieving academically gifted students have distinct academic and affective needs. The Trailblazer Program is a district-wide, K-6, self-contained program designed to meet the academic needs of students identified as high-achieving and gifted. The program uses both single and multi-grade configurations and is located at Pioneer Park Elementary School.
The goal of the Trailblazer Program is to guide students in maximizing learning and reaching their highest academic potential. The curricula focus on the processes of higher order thinking skills, cooperative learning, creative problem solving, and inquiry-based discovery to meet and/or exceed district curricula expectations.
Eligibility
A body of evidence will be used when identifying high achieving academically gifted students to determine appropriate academic placement. Data are collected in four areas: aptitude, achievement, behavior characteristics, and performance. An explanation for each area is listed below, and the possible data from each area that may be used as sources demonstrating high achieving academic giftedness.
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Aptitude: A nationally normed, standardized measure of cognitive ability will be administered by a school psychologist or other qualified professional
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Achievement: Primary Skill Assessments, District Assessments, State Assessments
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Behavior: Parent Rating Scale, Teacher Rating Scale, Parent Indicator, Teacher Indicator, Classroom Observations and/or Interviews
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Performance: Report Card, Student Writing Sample, Student Work Samples
Current Academic Year
To be considered for K-6 grade placements during the current academic year:
a. Applications to be considered for 1st quarter placement need to be submitted by the first Monday of August.
b. Applications to be considered for 2nd quarter placement need to be submitted by the last Friday of September.
c. Applications to be considered for 3rd quarter placement need to be submitted by the third Friday of November.
Identification Process:
1. Referrals:
- Anyone can refer a student for the program.
- Students may be referred through an informational letter after district screening assessments have been completed
2. Application Process:
- Initial paperwork must be completed and returned to Pioneer Park
- Initial paperwork can be found at each elementary school and on the district homepage.
3. Body of Evidence Collection:
- Parent/Guardian will be contacted to set up a time for aptitude testing.
- Evidence will be collected in the areas of achievement, behavior characteristics, and performance.
4. Eligibility Determination:
- The Trailblazer Placement Committee will meet prior to the beginning of the school year and second semester to review applications and make recommendations.
- Parent/Guardian will be notified via phone of recommendation.
Contact Information:
Completed nomination forms need to be returned to:
Shelly Courtney LCSD1 GT Facilitator Pioneer Park Elementary 1407 Cosgriff Court Cheyenne, WY 82001 307-771-2316
During the summer months please send completed nomination forms to:
Jim Fraley - Assistant Superintendent of Instruction 2810 House Avenue Rm. #128 Cheyenne, WY 82001 307-771-2188