Project GOTCHA: A Synopsis

Project GOTCHA© has provided school districts with a model program that fits the needs of their under represented gifted population

Project GOTCHA© identifies and serves gifted and talented, language and culturally diverse students in grades 1-8. There are two major characteristics that differentiate the GOTCHA ©Program from other ESL gifted programs. The first is the emphasis on the unique creative abilities of each child. The second is early intervention of language minority students.

The program consists of four components: Student Identification, Staff Development, Instructional Approach/Materials, Parent Training. The adoption sites received a three-day intensive training complete with GOTCHA © Curriculum Resource Guides, GOTCHA© Production Activity Cards, Training Manuals and Parent Training Manuals.

Project GOTCHA’s ©Unique Features:

•Transportability

has been implemented successfully in diverse cultural and ethnic settings

•Cost Effective

•Maximizes student's strengths; minimizes weakness

The delivery is a priority for the success of the program. The teachers are trained to view the curriculum as a springboard from where they can expand, create and elaborate.

Project GOTCHA© has had the following impact on the districts that have adopted and implemented the program: (a) increase representation in of language and culturally diverse students in g/t programs, (b) shift in paradigm "students do not need to be proficient in English to participate in GOTCHA ©", (c) increase students' achievement score, and (d) train teachers to recognize characteristics of special population and meet their needs.

The major systemic reform is twofold: the instruction of target population using a specialized curriculum enriched with gifted strategies and integrated with ESL methods; increasing awareness and representation of language and culturally diverse students in gifted and talented programs. The training of teachers is also a major reform for it incorporates best promising practices, review of current research, cultural awareness, gifted strategies, ESL methodologies alternative assessments, program evaluation, and multiple criteria evaluation. Parental participation is highly regarded by all involved; therefore parents take an active part in learning about their gifted child. The most significant accomplishment of Project GOTCHA © has been assisting educators in the identification, implementation, and awareness of language and culturally diverse g/t students.

Project GOTCHA © has changed the attitudes many had about the language minority students being identified gifted and talented. Teachers felt that their nominations were considered and that students were being identified in other areas of giftedness not just the academic. This follows along the lines of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory; one can be gifted in many areas. The language and culturally diverse child has had different and unique experiences from that of the mainstream culture. Being able to compensate for the lack of what we sometimes consider essential to our well being is a form of intelligence.