• Continuum of Gifted Services

    Gifted learners demonstrate a diverse range of academic and social/ emotional requirements that may be supported through a variety of service options.  Our Gifted Services Model consists of a combination of the following components, ranging from serving all students to fewer students based on academic need: differentiated instruction, consultation with a Gifted Intervention Specialist, guidance, advanced course work, classroom cluster grouping, small group services in math and/or reading, and acceleration.  

    I. All Students Identified as Gifted
     

    Grades

    Differentiated Curriculum

    K-12

    Cluster Grouping

    1-12

    Flexible Grouping

    K-12

    Support from Gifted Intervention Specialist

    K-12

    Counseling Support

    K-12

     

    Classroom Cluster Grouping

    Cluster grouping is a strategy of grouping identified gifted students together in a classroom or course. Through cluster grouping, advanced learners can receive differentiated instruction and curriculum as appropriate, from the regular classroom teacher. Gifted students can better understand and accept their learning differences if there are other students with similar needs in the class. Cluster grouping is a core component of effective, research-based gifted services.

    Differentiated Instruction and Gifted Intervention Specialist Support

    New Albany Schools strives to provide differentiated instruction in the regular classroom. High performing and students, identified as gifted, will work on meaningful lessons with their regular classroom teachers. Differentiated work is provided to students based on the student’s interests, needs and abilities. Teachers use formative and informative assessment data to determine the knowledge base of the students and provide alternative activities that broaden or deepen the lesson, or promote higher level thinking skills. The Gifted Intervention Specialists will consult with the classroom teachers as well as assist in collaboration with students, parents and teachers to ensure that student work is appropriately challenging.

    II.  Some Students Identified as Gifted
     

    Grades

    Content Acceleration

    K-12

    Curriculum Compacting

    K-12

    Small Group Instruction (Gifted Specialist)

    1-6

    Co-teaching Cluster Group (Gifted Specialist)

    7-8

    Discussion Support Groups/Study Center

    7-8

    Honors Courses

    7-12

    AP (Advanced Placement) Courses

    9-12

    College Credit Plus Program

    9-12
     
     

    Small Group Math and/or Reading Services

    Services in math and/or reading are provided from a gifted specialist and/or classroom teacher with ongoing professional development in the area of gifted education. These services provide opportunities for critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and independent learning through rigorous compacted lessons. Small group services are provided in the regular classroom and/or gifted classroom setting.

    Goals include growth of personal and academic self-discipline, pursuit of unique investigations, development of problem-solving techniques, development of realistic and healthy concepts of self and others, willingness to assume leadership and responsibility, and development of communication skills. Students are placed in a learning environment in which they are encouraged to go beyond the known and obvious, where process is emphasized over factual learning, and scholarly exploration is expected and facilitated.

    Advanced Course Work

    At the middle school and high school levels, there are multiple opportunities for gifted learners to pursue advanced curriculum through a variety of course options. Middle school students may choose from a wide range of unified arts, world languages, and math options to match their interests and abilities. High school students are able to participate in a large number of Honors, AP, and dual enrollment options. These courses meet the academic needs of gifted learners in a mixed ability classroom setting.

    III.  Few Students Identified as Gifted with High Academic Need
     

    Grades

    Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First

    K-1

    Whole Grade Acceleration

    K-8

    Single Subject Acceleration

    1-8

    Acceleration

    The most intensive level of gifted service offered is acceleration. Students may be placed in above grade level content through an evaluation process and team decision. Acceleration opportunities exist at all levels and include early entrance, subject acceleration, whole grade acceleration, or early graduation. This research-based service allows high ability students to engage in academic challenges appropriate to individual needs and overall development.