Elementary Gifted Services
RISD Advanced Learning Services
Elementary Gifted Services
Instructional Opportunities
Each student is unique. In identifying students who qualify for gifted services, Advanced Learning Programs and Services seeks to appropriately meet the educational needs of students. Therefore, the district will provide a continuum of differentiated services of support for students who qualify for gifted services. The services described below may apply to students in grades K-6 (K-5 in the Lake Highlands Learning Community).
Continuum of Differentiated Services
The continuum of differentiated services include a variety of support options for identified students. The first support is that the student will be intentionally grouped with other identified students so the teacher can more effectively provide the type of instructional experience best suited for GT thinkers. Clustering and teacher support means students will have their instructional needs addressed during all subjects each day.
Also, the classroom teacher will be able to utilize grouping strategies that reduce the range of abilities and achievement levels which results in appropriate instructional levels and pacing. Through increased collaboration, the core content connections will take on a whole new level of extension learning and will allow for enhanced learning experiences for the four core areas of instruction.
Pullout
In addition to the above supports, some students need the intervention of GT pullout services. Providing services on the campus means we have the flexibility for students to have their services and not miss special events or field trips. Students who qualify for GT pullout are placed in the GT clustered classroom and participate in two hours of GT pullout instruction in gifted services each week with their campus Advanced Learning Teacher.
Distinguishing features of this curriculum include:
1) appropriately differentiated for the qualified students;
2) vertically aligned K–12;
3) sequential in content and skills;
4) substantive in subject matter; and
5) linked meaningfully to the regular curriculum (TEKS).
Students in GT pullout services deepen their knowledge of grade-level TEKS through the perspective of a global theme in independent study projects. They work to develop professional grade products (per the Texas State Plan) over time.
Responsive Acceleration Pathway
Some students learn at a faster pace than others and a small number of them require acceleration that cannot be adequately provided in a general education setting. In some cases, they need two years or more of acceleration in all four core areas of instruction (reading, math, science, and social studies). We will group students in grades 3-6 who have this need at the Math, Science, Technology Elementary School for advanced acceleration. Students will progress through the curriculum at a faster and more personalized pace than their current grade peers- completing up to 8th grade content by the end of 6th grade. In secondary, students would have the option of graduating early or pursuing deep research along with internships. For more information, please visit this newsletter.
Kelsey Karcher, Director of Advanced Learning Programs & Services
Email: kelsey.karcher@risd.org