Service Options
Children who are gifted or exceptionally advanced are a diverse group with a variety of needs requiring a range of service options. Appropriate options provide challenging and differentiated educational experiences for students rather than just more of the same kind of experiences, and are designed to meet the identified needs of the students by providing appropriate educational opportunities and program flexibility.
Adjusting regular classroom curriculum to meet student needs is of first consideration. When needs cannot be met solely through regular classroom modifications, other flexible accommodations must be considered. Specific program service options may vary by building, and by year, but the goals for students are the same throughout the district.
Assignment policy: Students who participate in pull-out enrichment, accelerated sessions, or additional opportunities during regular instructional time should be held accountable for concepts covered in class during those times, but should not be required to perform redundant assignments and worksheets
Options for All Grade Levels
Differentiation - In-class differentiation, curriculum compacting, and modifications are utilized to provide more appropriate learning experience for advanced students. Level, rate, depth, and interest are considered along with content, process, and product.
Cluster Grouping - Grouping students based on demonstrated ability and/or interests within classrooms or grade levels.
Acceleration - Subject level acceleration or placement accommodations can allow students to progress through the curriculum and/or grade level at a rate faster than average.
Leadership - Cultivation of positive character traits, team building, and problem solving experiences through school and community leadership activities, FFA, Student Council, and the Superintendent’s group.
Competitions - Academic competition varies throughout the grade levels and buildings (debate, academic decathlon, drama, Math Counts, performing band, orchestra, FFA, chess, History Day, Inventions, and etc.).
Elementary Specific Options
Pullout – The pullout-gifted program (The Challenge Program) is an enrichment opportunity at the elementary level, 1st through 5th grade. Students are released from their regular classroom on a scheduled basis to work together on specific interest based advanced level projects of not normally available within the grade level curriculum.
Interest Groups - Specialty classes, workshops or competitions are vary by building, age, and time of year (school newspapers, yearbooks, art shows, chess club, inventions, history day, academic decathlon, and etc.)
Middle School Specific Options
Dual enrollment – Students may attend another school part time such as Middle School to High School or to the Treasure Valley Math and Science Center.
Acceleration grouping – Students with high ability levels are grouped together for advanced or accelerated curriculum, particularly in the math area.
Administrative decisions – Using multiple input, decisions can be made to allow students to progress through the curriculum and/or course levels at a rate more commiserative with their ability level.
Leadership – Opportunities are available for students to build positive character traits, learn how to think and solve real problems, and develop responsible leadership skills through club, school and community involvement.
Secondary Specific Options
Advanced level – Various areas of advanced level electives are offered as per student interest and available instructors.
Advanced Placement - College-level course work provided at the secondary level for which students may receive college credit by examination administered by the Advanced Placement College Board.
Dual enrollment – A student may attend more than one school at a time (i.e. Middle School to High School, Treasure Valley Math and Science Center, Darryl Dennis Professional Technical Center, Marketing, Management & Entrepreneurship Center, and/or Home School participation).
Alternative timing - Students may take core classes during night and/or summer school allowing them time for interest area courses during the regular school year.
Leadership opportunities - Student gain leadership experiences through involvement with the Agricultural Science and Technology department, business department, Student Council, Honor Society, debate, and various school and community organizations and events.
Mentorships – Students are paired with someone or a work site is arranged through the School-to-Work program allowing students to pursue skills in their interest areas.
Early graduation – When requirements have been met, students can make arrangements for early graduation an individual bases.
Correspondence courses – Up to four correspondence course credits can be applied toward high school requirements.
Reduced attendance - Senior level minimum attendance requirement allows time for students to pursue other learning opportunities and experiences
Additional Services
Training – Throughout the year, various presentations in differentiation, understanding gifted and talented children’s educational and social and emotional needs, and parenting gifted children are presented.
Facilitating – Assistance is available for implementing various school wide competitions and enrichment activities.
Assistance – Differentiation assistance is available for classroom curriculum modifications.
Resources - A lending library, specific to gifted and talented characteristics and educational needs is housed with the Challenge Program.