Provo.edu
Program for Academically Gifted Students
Message from Assistant Superintendent Ray Morgan
Because of a desire to better meet the unique instructional needs of academically gifted 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students, Provo City School District is currently developing plans for an Alternate Placement program for selected boys and girls. Plans are to locate this program in the newer portion of the existing Grandview Elementary School as a satellite to Westridge Elementary. This new 4th-6th grade magnet program would be called the Center for Accelerated Studies. The older portions of the Grandview School will be demolished this summer and some minor alterations will be made on the buildings that are being retained. If the School Board approves the plan, the Center for Accelerated Studies will open in the 2008-2009 school year with the first day of school on August 18th, 2008.
This Center will serve approximately 75 gifted students from across the Provo School District that have been identified as requiring an alternate placement in order to reach their optimal academic performance. Because the center will have a mathematics and science focus, students who have demonstrated high proficiency in mathematics with strong potential in science, language arts and other areas will be considered for placement. District staff, using specific surveys and assessments in accordance with state rules, will identify students that will be invited to attend the center. A case study approach will look at each student’s strengths and abilities.
Parents and guardians who believe that their child would qualify and benefit from alternative placement at the Center for Accelerated Studies are invited to have him/her participate in the district needs assessment. Students can participate in testing on any of three separate dates (March 29th, April 5th, and April 9th). Parents and guardians will be asked to fill out a survey in reference to their child during the hour she/he is engaged in testing. Testing will take place on the above-mentioned dates at Westridge Elementary School (1720 West 1460 North in Provo) at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. on March 29th and April 5th and at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. on April 9th. As satellite to Westridge Elementary, the center will cooperate on the use of resources.
Three teachers that have specific instructional strengths, including a solid understanding of mathematics, will be hired to teach these students. We are seeking high quality teachers that have or are working toward a gifted teaching endorsement.
Bus transportation will be provided for enrolled students that live more than 1.5 miles from the Center for Accelerated Studies. This is being done so children from across the city have an opportunity to participate if they are selected. Students that live within district boundaries will be considered first for placement in this program. Questions related to the Center for Accelerated Studies should be directed to Diana Dean at the District Learning and Curriculum Office. You may call her at 374-4868.
Differences in Characteristics
- Knows the answers
- Is interested
- Is attentive
- Has good ideas
- Works hard
- Answers the questions
- Top group
- Listens with interest
- Learns with ease
- 6-8 repetitions for mastery
- Understands ideas
- Enjoys peers
- Grasps the meaning
- Completes assignments
- Is receptive
- Copies accurately
- Enjoys school
- Absorbs information
- Technician
- Good memorizer
- Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation
- Is alert
- Is pleased with own learning
- Asks the questions
- Is highly curious
- Is mentally and physically involved
- Has wild, silly ideas
- Plays around, yet tests well
- Discusses in detail, elaborates
- Beyond the group
- Shows strong feelings and opinions
- Already knows
- 1-2 repetitions for mastery
- Constructs abstractions
- Prefers adults
- Draws inferences
- Initiates projects
- Is intense
- Creates a new design
- Enjoys learning
- Manipulates information
- Inventor
- Good guesser
- Thrives on complexity
- Is keenly observant
- Is highly self critical
Bright Child Gifted Learning, by Janice Szabos Challenge, 1989, issue 34 p. 4
Continuum of Services for Gifted Education
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