What is Challenge?
- Challenge is the program of Gifted Education for gifted students in Rockingham County Public Schools.
- Serves students identified as having significantly high intellectual ability.
- Provides accelerated learning experiences and enrichment opportunities which stimulate achievement and intellect.
- Is integrated within the total school curriculum and environment.
- See Programs
The Identification Process
- Students are referred for evaluation by teachers, principals, parents, or themselves. All teachers in the division through grade eight screen their students, creating a pool for potential evaluation.
- The Challenge teacher in each school coordinates the evaluation for referred students, administering a variety of assessment tools, including the Otis-Lennon and the Naglieri Ability Tests.
- A committee of teachers, including Challenge teachers, evaluates these results in addition to with school records to determine gifted identification.
Challenge Referral
- The Challenge Program is the Rockingham County Public Schools academic program designed for students identified as Gifted.
- Throughout the academic year, classroom teachers, school personnel, or parents may refer students for consideration of being identified as Gifted, and placement into the Challenge Program. Referral Forms may be obtained from the school’s Challenge teacher or the Guidance Office.
Challenge Local Advisory Committee
The Challenge Local Advisory Committee is formed annually, and is approved by the Rockingham County School Board just prior to the beginning of each academic school year. All Local Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.
If you are interested in serving as a committee member for the next school year, please contact Janet Wendelken, Director of Instructional Programs, Gifted Education & REFI, at 564-3218 or jwendelken@rockingham.k12.va.us
