Providing a learning community that maximizes the potential of gifted students
In This Section
Glossary
Acceleration
Used when a student demonstrates competencies, knowledge, abilities, and/or skills which exceed that which is outlined in the planned course curriculum for his/her chronological age or grade placement level. This can be demonstrated in the classroom or by pre or diagnostic tests in the skill areas. In this document it refers to Whole-Grade Skipping.
Achievement Tests
A test that measures what students have learned or have been taught in a specific content area relative to the expected achievement of average students. Example: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Advanced Placement (AP)
The student takes a course in high school that prepares him/her for taking an examination that can confer college credit for satisfactory performance. AP courses are high level/high rigor courses whose syllabi are dictated by the College Board. Some universities may award college credit for high scores on AP exams.
Challenge Program
The student qualifies by meeting expectations of an assessment matrix based on academic performance at the middle school level.
Cluster Grouping
Assigning students of the same grade level who have been identified as gifted to a small instructional group within a class of otherwise heterogeneously grouped students.
Curriculum Compacting
A procedure used to streamline the regular curriculum for students who are capable of mastering it at a faster pace. Pre-testing identifies learning objectives already mastered, and students are allowed to "test out" of certain academic exercises and move on to new material.
Differentiated Instruction
Consistently using a variety of instructional approaches to modify content, process, and/or products in response to learner readiness, interest, and/or learner profile of academically diverse students.
Distance Learning
An instructional strategy by which technology is used to allow the student to not physically be in the place where the teaching is taking place. Access to the instructor is gained through technology such as the Internet, interactive videoconferencing and satellite.
Dual Credit
The student is enrolled in college level courses that confer both high school and college credit.
Dual-Enrollment Programs
The student is enrolled in course work or summer programs that confer advanced instruction and credit for study (e.g., fast-paced language or math courses offered by universities). Some programs confer only college credit. Other programs confer both high school and college credit (dual credit).
Early Graduation
Graduate from high school in less than four (4) years based upon current District Policy 2525 – Graduation Requirements.
Elective System
The student can select a variety of upper level courses for the purpose of meeting his/her educational goals.
Grade Skipping (Whole Grade Acceleration)
The student is moved ahead of normal grade placement. This may be done during an academic year (e.g., placing a third grader directly into fourth grade, or promoting a third grader to fifth grade).
Honors Courses
Courses offered in high school for high achievers. These are usually planned to motivate the intellectually gifted learner. The content is broader, the curriculum is accelerated, and the instructor carefully selected.
The student is presented with materials that allow him/her to proceed at a self-selected pace.
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Measure of a person;s cognitive ability that compares mental age and actual age.
Learning Style
Describes a preferred mode of learning. There are several learning style theories which attempt to correlate the traits of learners with teaching methods which will promote optimum learning situations.
Pull-out Program
A part-time program where students and/or special need students leave the regular classroom for a limited time to attend specialized classes with an instructor other than the classroom teacher.
Subject-Matter Acceleration
The student is placed for a part of a day with students at more advanced grade levels for one or more subjects without being assigned to a higher grade (e.g., a fourth grader going to fifth grade for science).
Underachiever
A student who has a discrepancy between their performance and their potential and/or ability to perform at a much higher level as indicated by their standardized test scores.
