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The Extent, Nature and Effectiveness of Planned Approaches in ...

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constant extend<strong>in</strong>g. It might be that I have to do more <strong>in</strong> the way <strong>of</strong> staff pr<strong>of</strong>essionaldevelopment - teach<strong>in</strong>g about differentiated learn<strong>in</strong>g programmes as they affect both gifted<strong>and</strong> underachiev<strong>in</strong>g students.Over the last two years, staff awareness <strong>of</strong> the needs <strong>of</strong> gifted <strong>and</strong> talented students has risenconsiderably. This has come about through more specific programmes <strong>and</strong> more research <strong>and</strong>pr<strong>of</strong>essional read<strong>in</strong>g becom<strong>in</strong>g available to teachers. Also, the school’s <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> thepr<strong>of</strong>essional development contract has raised the awareness <strong>of</strong> the specific needs <strong>of</strong> gifted <strong>and</strong> talentedlearners <strong>in</strong> the school.I also th<strong>in</strong>k gifted <strong>and</strong> talented awareness is develop<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> gifted <strong>and</strong> talentededucation has risen over the last couple <strong>of</strong> years <strong>and</strong> it is someth<strong>in</strong>g that both staff <strong>and</strong> theBoard <strong>of</strong> Trustees <strong>of</strong> our school has been aware <strong>of</strong>. So, while we’ve known for a long timeabout the gifted <strong>and</strong> talented students, the need for pr<strong>of</strong>essional read<strong>in</strong>g, pr<strong>of</strong>essionaldevelopment, research <strong>and</strong> specific programmes for these children has become moreapparent <strong>and</strong> more available. It’s also been a M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>in</strong>itiative with the pr<strong>of</strong>essionaldevelopment contract be<strong>in</strong>g made available. We recognise that we’ve def<strong>in</strong>itely got childrenwho fall <strong>in</strong>to this category <strong>and</strong> that we need to provide for their learn<strong>in</strong>g so that theybecome lifelong motivated learners.<strong>The</strong>re is a schoolwide belief that students can be gifted <strong>and</strong> talented <strong>in</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> areas, not just thetraditionally held view <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectual ability. <strong>The</strong> school considers talents <strong>in</strong> a range <strong>of</strong> areas <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gcreative, leadership, music as well as the traditional curriculum areas. <strong>The</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> multiple<strong>in</strong>telligences (Gardner) plays a significant part <strong>in</strong> curriculum plann<strong>in</strong>g throughout the school.<strong>The</strong> school recognises that they are not yet successful <strong>in</strong> identify<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g for the uniqueneeds <strong>of</strong> gifted <strong>and</strong> talented Mäori learners. At the time <strong>of</strong> this case study, apart from the employment<strong>of</strong> a teacher aide to work with a group <strong>of</strong> boys on kapahaka skills, there were no programmes that wereaimed at specifically meet<strong>in</strong>g the needs <strong>of</strong> Mäori gifted <strong>and</strong> talented students. <strong>The</strong>re were Mäoristudents <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> the gifted <strong>and</strong> talented programmes although the school was conscious <strong>of</strong> the factthat Mäori were under represented <strong>in</strong> these programmes. It was hoped to <strong>in</strong>crease community<strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> the programmes <strong>and</strong> through this, develop more culturally appropriate identificationmethods.<strong>The</strong>re is staff ownership <strong>of</strong> the school policies related to gifted <strong>and</strong> talented education. All staff were<strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g these which <strong>in</strong>cluded mak<strong>in</strong>g decisions regard<strong>in</strong>g procedures for identification<strong>and</strong> provisions. <strong>The</strong>re is an expectation that all teachers will participate <strong>in</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g for gifted <strong>and</strong>talented students, it is not an option. <strong>The</strong>refore, the policies <strong>and</strong> practices related to gifted <strong>and</strong> talentededucation are school-wide <strong>and</strong> have the support <strong>of</strong> all teach<strong>in</strong>g staff.220

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