Gifted Education Enhanced Services New Location Limestone County School System Working Together

Alabama Administrative Code

Alabama Administrative Code Service Requirements 1. Grades K-2- regular classroom accommodations with consultation from a gifted specialist as needed. The general education teacher should be knowledgeable of gifted learners, trained in differentiation, and demonstrate a willingness to address the needs of diverse learners. 2. Grades 3-5/6—resource room pull-out for 3-5 hours a week, 3. Grades 6/7-8—pull-out services including electives and enrichment clusters, and/or, advanced classes in the core content areas. 4. Grades 9-12—advanced classes (including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate), electives, dual enrollment (where available), career/college counseling, mentorships, seminars, and independent studies.

Current vs. Proposed Changes Grades K-2 Current- Local Schools Regular classroom accommodations with consulting from a gifted specialist as needed/subject and grade acceleration all at the local schools. Second Grade Child Find Procedures Proposed- Local Schools Same

Current vs. Proposed Changes - Grades 3-5 Current- CTC 3 hours of instruction utilizing project based learning. Students consult with Gifted Talented specialist weekly to address social skills/behavior. Field trips which include gifted students from across the system that target areas of interest. Subject/grade acceleration at local schools. Proposed- Local Schools 3-5 hours of instruction per week that targets gifted domains utilizing Pull Out services at the local school. Students and Teachers will consult with Gifted Talented specialist weekly or more as needed to address academics/behavior/social skills. Enrichment/Differentiated Instruction daily in small group and/or large group. Opportunity for subject/grade acceleration. Field trips which include gifted students from across the system which enhance the curriculum/areas of interest. Planned opportunities for system-wide social/community based projects. Project Based Learning that is connected with daily learning standards.

Creekside Elementary Benefits of gifted students being served at their home school – Travel time saved 1 hour per week 36 hours per school year Over 5 days per year – Serve more students Still serve gifted students (3-5) Work with small groups of advanced students in the gifted teacher’s classroom Go into other classrooms during small group time and meet needs of advanced students

– More collaboration w/ K-5 teachers Help teachers develop higher level plans for all students Help develop enrichment lessons for advanced students – More parental collaboration Gifted specialist would be on campus and could provide more parental collaboration or be available for parent conferences – Higher participation Use of buses – this is a concern for parents. Now – some do not participate because of the location of the program Schedule conflicts could be avoided and students would miss less because of field trips & special CES.

Teacher comments “It would give back an hour of instructional time” “Create an opportunity for more students” “I would love to have gifted support for my DI centers” “It would be wonderful if higher level students could get the small group pull out time to challenge them beyond the classroom”

More teacher comments… “I think it would be a great service for our higher level students who sometimes do not get the attention that they deserve” “I think the gifted teacher would be a great asset to our school on site”

Current vs. Proposed Changes-Grades 6-8 Current-CTC 3 hours of instruction utilizing project based learning. Grade 8: Algebra 1 and Advanced Language Arts at local schools. Students consult with Gifted Talented specialist weekly to address social skills/behavior. Field trips which include gifted students from across the system that target areas of interest. Subject/grade accelerations at local schools. Proposed-Local Schools 3-5 hours of instruction per week or hours totaling the required service bi-weekly that targets gifted domains utilizing Pull Out services at the local school. Grade 8: Algebra 1 and Advance Language Arts Students and Teachers will consult with Gifted Talented specialist weekly or more often as needed to address academics/behavior/social skills. Enrichment/Differentiated Instruction daily in small group and/or large group. Opportunity for subject/grade acceleration. Field trips which include gifted students from across the system which enhance the curriculum/areas of interest. Planned opportunities for system-wide social/community based projects. Project Based Learning that is connected with daily learning standards.

Current: Local Schools Advanced classes; advanced placement, electives, dual enrollment (where available), early college, articulated credits, career/college counseling, mentorships, seminars, and independent studies. Leadership/Service Clubs Career Counseling ACT Prep/Test Taking Tactics Community Service Job Shadowing CTC Selective attendance Students consult with gifted specialist once every two weeks. Field Trips Job Shadowing Community Service ACT Prep/Test Taking Tactics Robotics Proposed: Local Schools Advanced classes; advanced placement, electives, dual enrollment (where available), early college, articulated credits, career/college counseling, mentorships, seminars, and independent studies. Students grades 9-12 will consult with gifted specialist face to face at least bi-weekly in small group or one to one. Students grades 9-12 can consult with gifted specialist via /face-time daily/weekly. Teachers will consult with gifted specialist weekly or more often as needed to address academics/behavior/career planning/social skills. Leadership/Service Clubs Career Counseling ACT Prep/Test Taking Tactics Community Service Job Shadowing Field Trips Job Shadowing Community Service ACT Prep/Test Taking Tactics Robotics Planned system-wide social/career/community projects which include gifted students from all schools. Current vs. Proposed Changes - Grades 9-12