Gifted & Talented

Begun in 1978, the REACH Department has evolved into a team of five teachers with Ohio Department of Education certification in Gifted and Talented Education, one district level coordinator, also ODE certified, and one full time secretary for grades K-12. This team works closely with building principals, district administration, other district curriculum coordinators, HCSD department of Special Education, district Parent Mentor, and all regular classroom teachers to enhance educational experiences for our students.

Our services at every grade level are designed to meet the unique needs of the students. We all work, study, and make decisions together, each year, to adapt to the needs of our children.

Our team is also responsible for complying with state legislation, H.B. 282, which governs identification and service practices for gifted education. Although identification of children who are gifted is mandated by the state, district level programs and services for these children are not mandated. However, Hudson teachers and administration are committed to adding depth and breadth to our instruction and to our communication with parents and teachers to better meet the needs of our students.


Parent Letter First Sent Out September, 2000, from the REACH Office:
Dear Parents:

Recently, in Ohio, new legislation, H.B. 282, was passed for all school d8districts concerning Gifted Education and Gifted Education Services. As part of this new legislation, we are required to send all parents of Hudson students informational brochures about state and district gifted education programs and practices. You will find these brochures enclosed in this packet.

The Hudson City Schools, including REACH Team member, teachers, and administration, view this new law as an opportunity to further enrich our instructional program for all students, in all grade levels. Furthermore, collaboration among these groups, as well as with parents, will allow us to create exciting, appropriate and engaging classroom activities for all students.

At this time, we are continuing to gather test data for all children, K-12, who meet the state-specified criteria for screening in the areas of:
Superior cognitive ability
Superior academic ability
Superior creative ability
Superior ability in the fine & performing arts

As a result of this testing, some families will receive notification letters from the REACH department advising of test results and how their children may have me state-specified criteria for identification in one or more areas of superior ability. Next, a district committee composed of administrators, REACH Team members, school psychologists, and building guidance counselors will examine this testing data along with data from classroom teachers to determine appropriate services for these children. These services will vary according to grade level.

One of the most important services we recommend will be "Differentiation of Instruction in the Regular Classroom." This should be of particular interest to all families because of the impact it has on the day-to-day instruction for all students. As a school district, we have a large number of high-ability students. However, not all of our high-ability students will be "identified" according to state criteria. In Hudson Schools, we believe that all children have unique talents that entitle them to enriching learning opportunities. We are committed to continue supporting teachers in creating exciting and varied educational activities for all of our students. As we grow together through the process of implementing House Bill 282, students needs will continue to be our focus. 

Please contact Ginny Snyder in the REACH office at 330-653-1441

NOTE:  For an update on the Ohio Department of Education Gifted Operating Standards, which greatly changed our REACH service structure, please see the "Main Page" and the "Frequently Asked Questions" page, on this website.    (10-04-09)