Programming Options

A combination of acceleration and enrichment provides the greatest opportunity for flexible programming to meet the needs of the gifted.  School districts are free to group gifted students in ways that best serve the needs of each gifted student.  However, the programming options chosen for each gifted student should be developed based on the strengths and needs identified within the GIEP and must be agreed to by the GIEP team.  Programming options for gifted students may be offered through a variety of settings and selections such as:

• Early entrance to kindergarten based on mental age and individual readiness

• Cluster grouping based on instructional level

• Open-ended compacted curriculum with flexible pacing

• Level, grade, and/or subject acceleration with flexible pacing

• Grade or subject "skipping"

• Advanced placement and honors courses with earlier-than-normal access

• Permission to receive credit for demonstrated mastery in required courses by recommendation of the GIEP team (credit by examination)

• Permission to submit proposals to replace requirements for which the student has demonstrated mastery as recommended by the GIEP team (college courses)

• Independent study designed to meet a gifted student's long-term interests and expertise in a given area

• Specialized curriculum for gifted learners based on validated research in gifted education

• Distance learning

• Consortium, collaborative, or cooperative arrangements with other school districts

• On-line courses

• Opportunities for gifted students to work with their peers in a resource room

• Alternative scheduling (block, alternating days, etc.)

• School within a school

• Arrangement of school schedules in order that gifted students can access the fine arts

• Incorporation of appropriate outside-of-school educational experiences

• Enrichment in content areas

• Independent learning contracts

• Mentorships, apprenticeships, internships and field experiences designed to meet gifted students' performance level and career interests.

AP AND HONORS COURSES

Honors courses and Advanced Placement courses provide options to meet the needs of some gifted learners.  For other gifted students, modifications such as availability at an earlier age, adjustment in pace or depth, or another adaptation may be needed for AP or Honors courses to be considered "specially designed" instruction for gifted learners.

West Branch currently has a dual enrollment agreement with Penn Highlands.  Students who take Honors English 12, Advanced Chemistry, Public Speaking, and/or Calculus can opt to enroll in the Penn Highlands dual enrollment program.  When students complete the course, at $30 a credit, they will receive the college credit according to Penn Highlands courses.  For example, Honors English 12 is equivalent to Penn Highlands English 110.  Students can have their PH transcript sent to the college of their choice to see if that college will accept the PH college credits.  Of course, students with less than a "C" would not be able to transfer the credits.  **NOTE:  There is no guarantee that another college will accept the transfer credit.  It depends on how that college's courses match up with Penn Highlands courses.

LEARNING CONTRACTS

A learning contract can be an effective option when a teacher or qualified adult is scheduled to meet with the student, provide access to instruction/advice, and supervise the accomplishment of milestones and goal completion.  Close monitoring by teachers and mentors is an essential component for a successful independent study experience.

Curriculum & Instruction

Chapter 16 requires districts to provide gifted students with specially designed instruction (§16.41(b)), and defines this instruction as adaptations or modifications to the general curriculum, instruction, instructional environments, methods, materials, or a specialized curriculum for students who are gifted. (§16.1)

DELIVERY OPTIONS

Research has shown that gifted students benefit from being grouped together for meaningful instruction during the school day.  School districts are free to group across grades, according to academic talent, on some other performance characteristic, or develop a gifted education consortium or cooperative arrangement with other schools.

At West Branch, students are pulled out of class for one 40-minute session each week.  When at all possible at the high school level, students are taken out of  elective or study hall classes.  There are occasions, however, when a student is pulled from a major class.  In any instance, it is the responsibility of the student to complete any work that is due, including turning in work on time for the class that is going to be missed. 

Occasionally, students are grouped with other students who share the same interests and talents.  There are also instances when the group may determine that after school and/or weekend meetings are necessary in order to complete a project or practice a performance before a competition.  Students are also encouraged to use any study halls to work on these projects.