Title 1 Gifted and Talented CATALYST Program

The Title 1 Gifted and Talented CATALYST Program is designed to identify, nurture, and support academic talent development in traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.
National research shows us that:

• Many schools have moved to serving gifted children in the regular classroom.
• Students identified for Gifted and Talented classes or modules require a curriculum that is separate and distinct from regular education.
• There are many competing demands on the classroom teacher.
• Little differentiation for Gifted and Talented students occurs in the regular classroom.
• Students from low socio-economic and minority groups are frequently underrepresented in gifted education.
• Gifted and Talented students often receive inconsistent services, which adversely affects their potential for achievement.
  In schools using the CATALYST model, a Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher collaborates with the classroom teacher to deliver appropriate services for a cluster group of students identified for gifted education services.

The CATALYST model addresses the key strategies and indicators of progress in the Baltimore County Blueprint for Progress, specifically:

• Improved student academic performance
• Increased services to Gifted and Talented students
• Enrichment opportunities for students not formally identified for Gifted and Talented programs
• Engaging work for all students

The CATALYST model facilitates desirable changes in teacher competencies. As a result of collaboration and staff development provided by the CATALYST teacher, classroom teachers acquire and apply additional strategies that allow them to:

• Identify and nurture gifted behaviors in all children
• Use differentiated instructional and management strategies
• Have high expectations for all students

All Title 1 Elementary Schools in Baltimore County have been allocated at least a .5 Gifted and Talented CATALYST Resource Teacher.