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Danville Public Schools outlines VDOE‑reviewed gifted plan, expands screening and curriculum
Summary
At an Aug. 7 board meeting, the division presented a five‑year gifted education plan review from the Virginia Department of Education, highlighted 412 students identified as GIA, early‑college participation, and plans to roll out PECS and ThinkLaw curricula and a universal screener (CogAT) in grades 2 and 5.
Dr. Dee Jordan, the division’s advanced learning coordinator, presented the Danville Public Schools’ five‑year gifted‑education plan review and recommendations during the board’s Aug. 7 meeting. The Virginia Department of Education’s technical review praised the division’s course offerings and identification efforts and included recommendations the division plans to act on.
The review highlights the district’s early‑college program and other advanced opportunities. Jordan said 133 students have participated in the early‑college program: the first graduating cohort produced 17 associate‑degree recipients, the class of 2025 included 37 early‑college graduates, and the division anticipates 32 for the class of 2026. Jordan also reported that 412 students were identified as having general intellectual aptitude (GIA) for 2025–26.
Jordan described the division’s service model for advanced learners: elementary talent‑development and pull‑out enrichment delivered by four gifted resource teachers; middle‑grade honors and gifted courses with options for high‑school work; and secondary pathways including AP, IB, dual enrollment, early college and the governor’s school.
To strengthen instruction, the division will roll out high‑quality materials across grade levels. Jordan said the K–2 talent‑development program will use the Primary Education Critical Thinking Skills (PECS) curriculum, and grades 3–5 will use ThinkLaw as a pull‑out enrichment resource. At the secondary level, teachers will have access to AP Classroom resources and college‑board‑approved textbooks to support advanced coursework. Jordan said ThinkLaw founder Collin Seals will present to Virginia gifted education administrators this fall.
On identification and monitoring, Jordan said identified students are recorded in PowerSchool but that some middle‑school students taking advanced coursework are not tracked there. The division plans to establish a separate database to monitor students moving from talent development to formal identification. Jordan also said the division will use a universal screener (CogAT) in grades 2 and 5 and may incorporate other measures such as PSAT and SOL scores for identification in areas beyond GIA, including specific academic aptitudes, visual and performing arts, and career and technical aptitude.
Jordan closed by noting the plan’s recommendations will shape professional development for teachers, family seminars for transparency about services, and clearer evaluation procedures to track program success. The presentation was informational; the board did not take a formal vote on the gifted plan at the meeting.
