Body of Evidence Diagram for the Identification of Gifted Potential of General Cognitive Abilities- cde 2012

The Tier III gifted program offers formally identified gifted students a highly challenging instructional program. Students receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) with specific, measurable, and attainable learning goals. Tier III students receive differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction, designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking skills. Adaptations are made to the curriculum in order to provide an appropriate level of challenge for gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Teachers develop and implement units of study that lead to a deeper understanding of concepts, themes, and issues and their interrelationships. Students pursue independent investigations and ongoing research. They have ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment that develop an understanding of the characteristics, demands, and responsibilities of advanced intellectual development. The number of students requiring intensive intervention in given populations ranges between 1-5%.

Each year, members of our gifted education team screen all students for possible participation in advanced academic services. Students who meet the criteria for Strategic Intervention in gifted programming, and who show promising academic talents require strategic interventions to maximize their intellectual potential. Each school has a gifted resource teacher who creates various academic and interest groups, based on the talents and achievements of the current school population. Teachers invite students to participate in pull-out classes. These classes and groups are flexible and require parent permission. Students may enter and exit groups throughout the year, depending on the academic units being taught by the gifted resource teachers (GRT’s). In many cases, students receiving strategic interventions may go on to be formally identified for Tier III Gifted & Talented. Tier II Talent Pool students represent 15% of a given population.

Quality teaching, for every child every day, is the single most important factor in a child’s success in school. High-ability learners scoring below the 95^th percentile may have academic and intellectual needs met in the regular classroom through quality, rigorous instruction, and a differentiated curriculum. Classroom teachers will provide various strategies to meet the needs of Tier I learners including, but not limited to, small groups, flexible groups, curriculum compacting activities, and inquiry units.

Students in Tier III programming will receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) with specific, measurable, and obtainable goals in their area of strength.