As the only upper-secondary school in the county, the Second General Secondary School has a good chance of receiving a certificate placing it among schools where gifted students in all fields receive strong, practical support in developing their talents.
The school principal is awaiting a visit from the education authorities. In mid-September, an audit will examine how the school supports and identifies gifted students.
– This is an important exam for us – says Mirosław Sakowski. – Fifty schools in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship have such a certificate. We would be the only upper-secondary school in the county with one. For two years, the school has had a Team Supporting Gifted Students, led by Beata Ulatowska, who has achieved considerable success in identifying outstanding students – the principal adds.
Beata Ulatowska confirms the importance of the certificate and lists the benefits its acquisition would bring to students and the school.
– We hope to participate in programs co-financing the school’s activities in this area, gain access to educational innovations, and exchange experiences with other schools – says the teacher. – Such certificates have already been awarded to Gimnazjum No. 1 in Bolesławiec and the Primary School in Kruszyn. What is important is that the gifted-student support program is comprehensive and concerns every gifted child: mathematically, musically, artistically, or athletically. Our task as a school is to recognize these talents and do everything possible to develop, support, and hone them – the teacher explains.
Every student at the school undergoes diagnostic testing divided into three stages. The tests are intended to identify the student’s potential. In the first stage, students identify their own interests and strengths; in the second, they complete a test determining their learning styles and the sensory channels they use for learning (visual, auditory, etc.). The third stage is a multiple-intelligences test. Students assessed in this way become aware of their strengths and the direction they can take to deepen their skills.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for the audit and send our regards to the students and teachers of the Second General Secondary School.
