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Gifted and Talented Program |
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PHILOSOPHY
Paragould School District dedicates itself to providing the best possible free and appropriate educational opportunities for all students. PSD also supports special services for students who possess exceptional abilities. The philosophy of the Paragould School District’s program for the gifted is to meet the individual needs of the gifted, talented, and creative students. The commitment to exceptional students encompasses the development of learning potential to the fullest. Meeting individual needs and developing potential are accomplished through differentiated learning experiences involving cognitive, creative, and affective programs. In accordance with this philosophy, extending experiences of the regular curriculum will enhance and optimize an understanding of self and others toward life long coping skills. Furthermore, it encourages gifted students to seize opportunities that benefit the community and society.
PROGRAM GOALS
While the Advanced Learning Program will incorporate regular classroom curriculum into services for the gifted students, it is in place of regular classroom work, not in addition to regular classroom curriculum. The program includes nondiscriminatory identification procedures to insure the potential and abilities of all students are identified. The program will offer a variety of program options for gifted students. Each fall an informational and parent meeting is held. Questionnaires and surveys are sent home each spring to gather your input. The program will be evaluated annually to determine strengths and areas for implementing change.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Students are selected for inclusion in the Advanced Learning Program (ALP) on the basis of exceptional ability, creativity, task commitment, and the desire to participate in the classes. Students in kindergarten through second grade are served with whole class enrichment regularly. They practice creativity, problem solving, and thinking skills. Grades 3-6 are pulled out each week to work on problem solving, creativity, and thinking skills. Students also do projects, independent studies, and engage in differentiated curriculum. Secondary students grades 7-12 are also given options. Students may differentiate curriculum in science, math, English, social studies, art, drama, or music as decided on by the student, the teacher, and the coordinator. Students in grades 7-12 may also participate in AP or Pre-AP courses currently offered. Optional activities such as Quiz Bowl, Model UN, Chess Tournament, Odyssey of the Mind, Lego League, the Stock Market Game, and Mock Trial are also offered to student in grades 5-12. Some of these are extra curricular. Assistance from parents is needed to ensure the success of these worthwhile learning opportunities.
WHAT IS DIFFERENTIATED CURRICULUM?
Simply, students participate in something DIFFERENT from the usual class procedure! For example:
- Pretest “out” of skills already mastered to work on projects.
- Research an area of interest related to your present unit.
- Prepare and deliver a presentation (e.g., lecture, lesson, experiment) to the class.
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR GIFTED CHILD?
- Research and stay informed about gifted education.
- Be your child’s greatest advocate-positively of course!
- Guide your gifted child.
- Support your child.
Starla Wood
K-12 Coordinator
870-236-6177
Gina Starling
K-6 GT Facilitator
Oak Grove Elementary and Middle School
Brooke Williams
7-12 Facilitator
Paragould Junior High and High School
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