Gifted Education in Coppell ISD - Coppell Independent School District

Gifted Education in Coppell ISDAn Overview of the K-12Continuum of ServicesTodd Kettler

The Big Picture

CISD GT Program GoalCoppell ISD students participating in the GTProgram will demonstrate skills of self-directedlearning, thinking, research, and communicationas evidenced by the development of innovativeproducts and performances that reflectindividuality and creativity and are advancedin relation to students of similar age, experienceor environment.

Key Program Components• Grouping• Rigorous Curriculum• Acceleration Options• Multiple Pathways to reinforce the strengthsand interests of gifted students

Grades K-5ELEMENTARY GT

Elementary GT• Two Components of Program Services– Cluster Grouped Classrooms– Challenge Program• Including Challenge University for grades 4-5• GT students spend 85% of their instructionaltime in the cluster grouped classrooms.

Specific Elementary GT Goals• Provided modified instructional services togifted students in multiple settings includingappropriate classroom differentiation and thepull-out enrichment Challenge Program.• Provide gifted students rigorous and engaginglearning opportunities in the areas ofmathematics, language arts, science, andsocial studies.

Elementary Challenge Program• GT students work with the GT specialist in theGT classroom.• Challenge curriculum is interdisciplinaryfocusing on thinking, research,communication, and self-directed learning.• Math Focus: We began using the Algebra forAll program this year to add an emphasis onlearning algebra skills in grades 1-5.

GT Cluster Classrooms• Designated GT teachers modify learningexperiences to provide rigorous and engaginglearning.• Clusters of 4-8 GT students should worktogether on learning tasks in which theteacher modified the depth, complexity,and/or pacing that would ordinarily beprovided for students at that grade level.

Modified Learning Experiences• Modified learning experiences should beimplemented consistently in response to thestudent’s demonstrated readiness.• Modified learning experiences should replacethe standard learning experiences rather thanbe given in addition to the standardcurriculum.

Key Questions for Parents• In what ways are the learning experiences beingmodified for my student ?• How will the academic growth of my student beassessed this year/semester/nine-weeks?• In what ways does the GT cluster work togetheron modified assignments?• What are the advanced products andperformances that reflect the academic growth ofmy student?

More Light but Lots of Trees

Grades 6-8MIDDLE SCHOOL GT PROGRAM

GT Level Classes• Instructional Grouping in Core Classes– GT English 6-8– GT Mathematics 6-8– GT Science 6-8– GT Social Studies 6-8• Ability grouping combined with modifiedcurriculum reflects research-based,recommended practice in gifted education.

GT Curriculum in Middle School• Modified to included greater depth andcomplexity than standard and Pre-AP courses.• Significant emphasis on developing thinkingskills, research skills, and advancedcommunication skills.• Students are expected to develop self-directedlearning skills through the GT curriculum.

GT Mathematics Options• GT Math for grades 6 and 7 compacts all threelevels of middle school math into two years.• GT Math for 8 th graders is Algebra I.• Many of our GT students with a propensity formath will skip a year of math with credit byexam and take Geometry as 8 th graders.

Options for Acceleration• Credit by Exam to accelerate in individualsubjects• Students may advance at a more rapid pace insubject areas of strength.• Acceleration is one of the most researchsupported recommended practices in giftededucation.

Key Questions for Parents• Is my student developing advanced skills inself-directed learning?• What are the advanced products andperformances that my student is producing inthe GT classes?• What out-of-school options are available formy student to develop his talent and interests?

Coming out of the Forest

Grades 9-12HIGH SCHOOL GT OPTIONS

The Options Expand• Coppell High School• GT Courses• AP Program• IB Program• Academies• New Tech High @ Coppell• Emphasis on thinking, research, communication, andself-directed learning through project-based learning.

High School GT Courses• Distinct Gifted Pedagogy in GT Grouped Classes– Rigorous content– Complex thinking– Scholarly dispositions– Conceptual understandings• Focus on the GT Program Goal– Thinking, Research, Communication, & SD Learning– Advanced level products and performances

Advanced Placement Program• Developed by College Board in the 1950s• College-Level courses while in high school• AP Exams can earn college credit• CHS offers 25 AP Courses beginning in grade 9.• 2 in English• 3 in Math• 9 in Social Studies• 5 in Science

International Baccalaureate Program• CHS is an authorized IB World School offeringthe distinguished IB Diploma Program• IB Focus– International Educational Standards– Global Citizenship and International Mindedness– Emphasis on inquiry and depth of conceptualunderstanding– Service and application of knowledge

College Courses• CISD students may choose from approximately90 approved college courses in ourpartnership with Dallas County CommunityCollege District (North Lake and Brookhaven)• Students may earn up to 64 college creditsthrough the dual credit and Senior Scholarprograms.

CHS Academies• Emerging Media and CommunicationsAcademy (EMAC)• Public Service Academy (PSA)• Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics Academy (STEM)• Focus on application of knowledge and skills,project based learning, and career exploration.

New Tech High @ Coppell• NTH@C epitomizes the focus on thinking,research, communication, and self-directedlearning.• NTH@C focuses on the application ofknowledge and skills through thedevelopment of innovative and advancedproducts and performances.

Multiple Paths through the Forest

CISD GT ProgramSUMMARY

Key Program Components• Grouping• Rigorous Curriculum• Acceleration Options• Multiple Pathways to reinforce the strengthsand interests of gifted students

Unifying Elements• The common threads weaving throughout theGT program K-12:– Emphasis on thinking, research, communication,and self-directed learning.– Advanced curriculum options in math, languagearts, science, and social studies.– Expectation to develop advanced level productsand performances.

Talent Development• Over the continuum of the program, thepurpose is to identify and develop the talentsand interests of gifted young people.• Talent development can begin with ability, butultimately requires commitment of time andeffort and focused attention.• Talent is rarely developed on the easy path.

Why we do it.