Gifted Program Evaluation

School Psychologist: Tesla Woods

The gifted education curriculum focuses on three main areas: academic enrichment, creativity, and social/emotional learning. Growth in each of these areas is measured anecdotally and through teacher and student self-reflection. Learning at this level is project-based, and students reflect over their learning, creative process, and SE growth after each project. Additionally, students self-identify areas of growth in five main indicators periodically throughout the year and discuss their strengths and weaknesses in those areas. These five areas include information, communication, responsibility/respect/making good choices, knowing one’s self, and creativity and thinking skills. Students are demonstrating growth by understanding themselves and being able to work within the realm of the 21st century schools skills: relationships, resiliency, and reflection. Students in the program learn, create, and reflect. These skills serve them well as they move through their educational years, and eventually become highly functional members of society.

Our program continues to grow. As our school population has risen, so have the number of gifted students who are eligible to receive gifted services. Since the last evaluation, the number of students receiving gifted education services has grown to the point that the gifted teacher no longer has time in her schedule to do push-in enrichment in regular education classes at the primary. The state recommends that in a gifted enrichment classroom, the teacher to student ratio is no greater than 1:7. Currently, the average student:teacher ratio for gifted classes in the primary and elementary is 10:1. However, because the gifted resource teacher also serves all gifted students at the middle school, she is attempting to juggle the schedules and demands of working in three different buildings throughout each day. Since the last program evaluation, the gifted resource teacher has continued to develop curriculum and activities for both the primary/elementary and middle school programs that focus on three areas: social/emotional needs of gifted learners, creativity, and academic enrichment.

• An additional gifted teacher for the north campus would allow the current teacher to divide the larger primary and elementary gifted classes into smaller, more effective learning groups. It would also provide time in the gifted teacher’s schedule to return to providing push-in enrichment services for all primary students.
  

Students in the Middle School WINGS program are currently graded (this will change next year as the middle school moves to standards-based grading). The course is set up to focus on four main areas: gifted self-identification, applied academic enrichment, self-chosen research (i.e. passion projects), and community service/outreach. While grades are based mostly on participation, students also rely on self-evaluation as a tool to monitor their own learning.

• Since the last program evaluation, the gifted teacher has reformulated the gifted curriculum to reflect 21st Century School Skills: relationships, resiliency, and reflection. The middle school program is a continuation of the primary and elementary gifted program, with an increased emphasis on social/emotional learning and literacy. During WINGS class time, students work with concepts of self-identity and pursue projects that allow them to follow their own learning aspirations. This has empowered students to take on leadership roles in their school and community. Last year, two WINGS students testified before the Missouri Legislature’s Education Sub-Committee on a bill that would require all districts to offer a gifted education program. They also developed and coordinated a fundraiser for a student in the district dealing with leukemia.
  

• The biggest help for the middle school program will be moving the class to a non-graded status. This will allow students to explore new topics and work at a higher level without the intrinsic fear that their grades may suffer in the process. This change is already in process.
  

• Previously we had been able to consult with gifted students in high school. This has not been sustainable with the growth seen in the primary and elementary.
  A second gifted teacher would allow for services in the high school.
  

• Choose Your Own Learning Adventure Project Information
• 5th and 6th Constitutional Amendment Exam
• What's Your Mantra? Project Information
• What's Your Mantra? Project Reflection Template

Elementary:

• 5th grade Virtual Vacation breakfast will be held on Wednesday, March 9.
  

Middle School:

• -Choose Your Own Learning Adventure Project Showcase is scheduled for March 1, 2022.
• -Southern Boone ED Conference (TED-style presentations) is planned for late May, 2022. The theme will be “Survive and Thrive.” Community speakers are welcome to present a talk of 10-15 minutes on any subject that offers insight into their area of expertise and shares ideas and lessons that can positively impact the lives of others. WINGS students will also be sharing their talks. The public will be invited to attend.