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ALC GATE PARENT INFORMATION

MEETING THE NEEDS OF GIFTED LEARNERS

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MEETING AGENDA

  • Goal of Gifted/Talented Program
  • Truths and Myths about Giftedness
  • Characteristics of Gifted/Talented Learners
  • Needs of Gifted/Talented Learners
  • GATE Identification Categories
  • ALC Program for GATE Learners
  • What is Differentiation?
  • What Can a Parent Do to Nurture Giftedness?

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GIFTED/TALENTED �PROGRAMS GOAL

THE GOAL OF GIFTED/TALENTED PROGRAMS AT ALC IS:

TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY DIFFERENTIATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING THAT MEET THE UNIQUE ABILITIES AND TALENTS OF OUR GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE FROM DIVERSE RACIAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, LINGUISTIC, AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS.

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DISPELLING THE MYTHS

MYTHS ABOUT GIFTED LEARNERS:

  • MYTH: IT IS UNFAIR TO GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO GIFTED LEARNERS

RESEARCH SAYS: FAIR DOES NOT MEAN THE SAME – ALL STUDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT RESPOND TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LEARNING STYLES

  • MYTH: GIFTED STUDENTS WILL DO WELL ON THEIR OWN

RESEARCH SAYS: GIFTED STUDENTS MAY NOT REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IF THEY ARE NOT GIVEN DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT MEET THEIR COMPLEX LEARNING NEEDS

  • MYTH: GIFTED STUDENTS SHOULD TRY AND FIT IN WITH THE MAINSTREAM

RESEARCH SAYS: GIFTED STUDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SACRIFICE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN ORDER TO FIT IN – IT IS THE RIGHT OF GIFTED STUDENTS TO STAND OUT IN THEIR AREAS OF STRENGTH

  • MYTH: GIFTED STUDENTS IN SPECIAL PROGRAMS WILL DEVELOP SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS

RESEARCH SAYS: THE REVERSE OF THIS MYTH IS MORE OFTEN TRUE – SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DISCONTENT MAY OCCUR IF STUDENTS ARE NOT PROVIDED WITH STIMULATING LEARNING EXPERIENCES

ADAPTED FROM STEPHENS, K. “PROMOTING GIFTED EDUCATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY”. PARENTING FOR HIGH POTENTIAL: 1998.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED LEARNERS

A GIFTED LEARNER MAY EXHIBIT:

  • EARLY, RAPID LEARNING
  • ENDLESS ENERGY
  • SUPERIOR LANGUAGE ABILITY; LEARNS LANGUAGE QUICKLY
  • LARGE KNOWLEDGE AND INTEREST BASE
  • EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY
  • KEEN, MATURE SENSE OF HUMOR
  • COMPLEX/ABSTRACT THINKING AND GREAT IMAGINATION
  • SUPERIOR REASONING/PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY
  • LONG ATTENTION SPAN WHEN INTERESTED
  • INAPPROPRIATE ACTING OUT OR APATHY WHEN DISINTERESTED
  • HIGH LEVEL MORAL THINKING; ABILITY TO DETECT INJUSTICE OR INCONSISTENCY
  • UNREALISTIC SELF-EXPECTATIONS; PERFECTIONISTIC AND COMPETITIVE
  • FRUSTRATED WITH ILLOGICAL OR DISORGANIZED THINKING
  • IMPULSIVE, RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR OR WORRIED TO TAKE RISKS DUE TO FEAR OF FAILURE
  • OVERWHELMING CURIOSITY; QUESTIONS EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE (INCLUDING AUTHORITY)
  • LACK OF DESIRE TO SOCIALIZE WITH AGE-LEVEL PEERS; PREFERS THE COMPANY OF ADULTS/OLDER FRIENDS

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WHAT GIFTED STUDENTS NEED

  • TO DEAL WITH FEELINGS OF BEING DIFFERENT
  • TO RECOGNIZE AND DEAL WITH STRESS
  • TO LEARN HOW TO BE PROUD WITHOUT BEING ARROGANT
  • TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
  • TO BE CHALLENGED WITH MEANINGFUL, DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  • TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS OF SIMILAR ABILITY OR INTEREST
  • TO RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT THEIR OWN ABILITIES, INTERESTS, AND LIMITATIONS – AND THOSE OF OTHERS
  • TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A GIFTED CHILD, NOT TREATED AS A SMALL ADULT

ADAPTED FROM THE 11TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION, 1995.

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Problems Gifted Kids May Face

Self-esteem issues

Not only do gifted kids have to live with the stigma of being “different,” but their sensitivity can also make them appear vulnerable. In combination, these two factors increase the likelihood of being bullied or rejected by peers, both of which are highly damaging to a child’s self-esteem.

Boredom at school

Boredom at school frequently leads to underachievement in gifted students, particularly during adolescence. Gifted adolescents often become frustrated knowing they could complete their work much faster at home, leaving more time to pursue other interests. In essence, school begins to feel like a waste of time, and this may be true even for students enrolled in specialized gifted programs.

Problems with attention and organization

Gifted kids are often stereotyped as being exceptionally focused and organized, but this isn’t always the case. Many gifted kids struggle with inattention and disorganization, in part because they’re abstract thinkers and in part because they have many diverse interests competing for their attention.

Adapted from an article by Dr. Tali Shenfield, October 25, 2022, Advanced Psychology www.psy-ed.com

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CATEGORIES OF IDENTIFICATION

  • INTELLECTUAL ABILITY (SECOND SEMESTER KINDERGARTEN AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHOSE GENERAL INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT IS MARKEDLY ADVANCED IN RELATION TO THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL PEERS; EVIDENCED BY DISTRICT PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

  • HIGH ACHIEVEMENT ABILITY (FIFTH GRADE AND ABOVE AND SECOND GRADE OLSAT ONLY)

STUDENTS WHO CONSISTENTLY FUNCTION FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS AT HIGHLY ADVANCED LEVELS IN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS; EVIDENCED BY TEST SCORES (SECOND GRADERS MAY ALSO BE IDENTIFIED IN HIGH ACHIEVEMENT WITH THE OLSAT-8)

  • SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ABILITY (FIFTH GRADE AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHO CONSISTENTLY FUNCTION FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS AT HIGHLY ADVANCED LEVELS IN EITHER ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ARTS OR MATHEMATICS (SCIENCE OR SOCIAL SCIENCE INCLUDED IN GRADES 9 – 12); EVIDENCED BY TEST SCORES

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  • VISUAL ARTS ABILITY (SECOND GRADE AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHO ORIGINATE, PERFORM, PRODUCE, OR RESPOND AT EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LEVELS IN DRAWING AND PAINTING; EVIDENCED BY DISTRICT DEMONSTRATION/PORTFOLIO REVIEW

  • PERFORMING ARTS ABILITY (SECOND GRADE AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHO ORIGINATE, PERFORM, PRODUCE, OR RESPOND AT EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LEVELS IN EITHER DANCE, VOICE, OR DRAMA; EVIDENCED BY DISTRICT AUDITION

  • CREATIVE ABILITY (SECOND GRADE AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHO CHARACTERISTICALLY PERCEIVE SIGNIFICANT SIMILARITIES OR DIFFERENCES WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT, CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS, AND PRODUCE UNIQUE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS; EVIDENCED BY DISTRICT PORTFOLIO OR PRESENTATION REVIEW

  • LEADERSHIP ABILITY (SECOND GRADE AND ABOVE)

STUDENTS WHO SHOW CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE; INFLUENCE OTHERS EFFECTIVELY; HAVE PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING SKILLS; EXPRESS IDEAS IN ORAL OR WRITTEN FORM CLEARLY; SHOW SENSE OF PURPOSE AND DIRECTION; EVIDENCED BY DISTRICT PORTFOLIO OR PRESENTATION REVIEW

CATEGORIES OF IDENTIFICATION

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“HIGHLY GIFTED”DESIGNATION: �INTELLECTUAL CATEGORY

  • THE TERM “HIGHLY GIFTED” REFERS TO STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE A PERCENTILE RANK OF 99.9 ON THE INTELLECTUAL ASSESSMENT GIVEN BY A DISTRICT GATE PSYCHOLOGIST. NO OTHER IDENTIFICATION CATEGORY HAS A HIGHLY GIFTED DESIGNATION.

  • HIGHLY GIFTED STUDENTS MAY APPLY TO HIGHLY GIFTED MAGNETS.

  • STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE A PERCENTILE RANK OF 99.5 - 99.8 ON THE INTELLECTUAL ASSESSMENT ARE CONSIDERED “HIGHLY-GIFTED APPLICABLE” AND MAY APPLY TO HIGHLY-GIFTED MAGNETS IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE.

  • THERE IS NO SPECIAL TEST FOR IDENTIFICATION AS HIGHLY-GIFTED.

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SCHOOL GATE PROGRAM

  • OUR SCHOOL PLAN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF GIFTED/TALENTED LEARNERS
    • Cluster model used at ALC
    • Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses
    • Differentiated instruction for gifted learners

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NO MATTER WHAT PROGRAM, IT’S ALL ABOUT DIFFERENTIATION: HOW IS THE CORE CURRICULUM MODIFIED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF GIFTED LEARNERS?

  • ACCELERATED PACING
  • ADVANCED CONTENT
  • DEPTH, COMPLEXITY, AND NOVELTY
  • ABOVE GRADE-LEVEL RESOURCES
  • TIERED ASSIGNMENTS
  • LEARNING/INTEREST CENTERS
  • INDEPENDENT STUDY
  • FLEXIBLE GROUPING
  • HIGH LEVEL QUESTIONING
  • “THINK LIKE A DISCIPLINARIAN”
  • COMPACTING THE CURRICULUM IN A STUDENT’S AREA OF STRENGTH

IMPORTANT! MANY OF THE TERMS LISTED ABOVE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RESPONSE FROM A TEACHER OF GIFTED STUDENTS WHEN ASKED ABOUT MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR CHILD.

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Honors and AP Courses Offered at ALC

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

H English 9

H Biology

H English 10

H Biology

H Chemistry

H World History

AP World History

AP Studio Art

AP English Language AP US History

AP Biology

AP Physics

AP Environmental Science

AP Studio Art

AP Spanish Language

AP English Literature

AP Government

H Economics

AP Biology

AP Physics

AP Environmental Science

AP Calculus

AP Studio Art

AP Spanish Language

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WHAT CAN A PARENT DO TO NURTURE GIFTEDNESS?

  • TAKE FAMILY TRIPS TO PLACES OF INTEREST SUCH AS MUSEUMS, AQUARIUMS, GARDENS, HISTORICAL SITES, AND PERFORMANCES
  • MONITOR AND LIMIT TV VIEWING AND VIDEO GAME PLAYING; ENCOURAGE ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
  • PROVIDE SOME SAFE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMBIGUITY/FRUSTRATION –STRUGGLING INTELLECTUALLY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF LEARNING
  • PRACTICE RESEARCH SKILLS IN AREAS OF INTEREST; MODEL APPROPRIATE USE OF REFERENCE BOOKS AND THE INTERNET TO FIND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
  • ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD’S EMPATHY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, NOT JUST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

ADAPTED FROM MOUNTFORD, S. “WHAT CAN A PARENT DO?” CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED PARENT HANDBOOK.

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BE SURE TO READ THE �GATE PARENT NEWSLETTER!

  • PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
  • CURRENT AND PAST ISSUES AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH ON THE GATE WEBSITE
  • GO TO www.lausd.org/gate
  • AND CLICK ON “FAMILIES”
  • CLICK ON “PARENT/FAMILY

NEWSLETTERS”

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ADDITIONAL DISTRICT WIDE GATE PARENT MEETINGS

GATE Parent Hour - First Wednesday of the month on Zoom

GATE Webinars - Held bi-monthly on Zoom

For more information visit the Families page on the GATE website at www.lausd.org/gate

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Q & A

  • PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO

MS. HOLMES AT KRH9877@LAUSD.NET OR CALL

(310) 847-3719

THANK YOU ATTENDING!

TOGETHER, WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.