Update on Gifted Program

1
Update onGifted Program

• Presentation to the
• Board of Education
• April 13, 2009

2
Background

• Gifted Program Audit Spring 2007
• Eleven recommendations presented August 2007
• Action Plans Developed With Chartered Committee
  in 2007-2008
• Diversification Theme

3
Program Description

• School Within a School (SWAS) serves gifted
  students in grades 4 through 8
• Classes are self-contained
• Students attend a designated site
• Middle School Sites
• Kimball Larson Tefft
• Elementary Sites
• Creekside Horizon Sycamore Trails

4
Program Description

• Spanish-English Transition School within a School
  (SET SWAS) serves gifted students with Spanish as
  a first language
• Classes are self-contained
• Students attend a designated site
• Elementary Sites
• Sheridan Sunnydale
• Middle School
• Kimball Larsen Tefft

5
Program Revisions

• Differentiated Instruction and Content
• Interventions to Address Unique Needs of Gifted
  Students
• Student Identification and Placement
• Programmatic Support for Culturally Diverse
  Students
• Program Evaluation Annually

6
Differentiated Instruction

• Mathematics curriculum accelerated, enriched, and
  aligned in grades 4-8
• Language Arts curriculum acceleration and
  enrichment in progress grades 4-8

7
Professional Development

• Mathematics Focus
• Inquiry based instruction sessions with SWAS and
  SET SWAS teachers
• Fall 2008 training for all SWAS and SET SWAS
  teachers on Connected Math Curriculum
• All SWAS and SET SWAS teachers grades 4-6
  receiving individual on-site support for
  accelerated mathematics instruction

8
Professional Development

• Language Arts Focus
• Learning standards accelerated and consistent in
  all SWAS and SET SWAS classes
• Reviewing curriculum to compact, enrich, and
  ensure alignment to students needs 4-8

9
Professional Development

• Additional Opportunities
• Teacher representative from each SWAS and SET
  SWAS site attended session on implementing
  Writers Workshop
• Two teachers attended Illinois Association for
  Gifted Children Conference
• Gifted Specialist attended National Association
  for Gifted Children Conference
• Practices learned to be shared at April
  department meeting

10
Address Unique Needs

• Students engaged in team-building activities at
  all sites
• Characteristics of gifted learners shared with
  general education teachers to assist in
  identification
• Web updated to include resources for parents,
  teachers, and students

11
Identification and Placement

• Students nominated from multiple sources,
  parents, teachers, principals
• Letters sent to all families of 3rd and 6th
  graders in English and Spanish explaining process
• Incorporates objective and subjective data
• Dedicated position responsible for outreach and
  identification for students whose first language
  is not English
• Grandfathered Grade 6 to Grade 7 students

12
Support for Culturally Diverse

• Ongoing articulation meetings specific to SET
  SWAS teachers, SWAS teachers and general
  education teachers initiated
• Parent support groups specific to SET SWAS
  schools provide information and networking for
  families

13
Program Evaluation

• Gifted Charter Committee provided feedback and
  prioritized recommendations for improvement
  2007-2008
• Gifted Parent Advisory formed 2008 to continue
  offering input
• Advisory group is providing information on what
  is needed to inform community about gifted
  programs

14
Next Steps

• Periodic updates on Gifted Program enhancements
  will be included in the District Improvement Plan
  written reports.