Program Design

PROGRAM DESIGN

The program design for our gifted and talented students for grades kindergarten through twelfth grade is intended to provide a curriculum that is both differentiated and appropriate for the specialized needs of students who are advanced in their thinking and learning processes.  Gifted and talented students are provided opportunities to interact with their peers and to work with materials that challenge their abilities and encourage them to expand their abstract thinking and reasoning.  This is accomplished through using various approaches appropriate to the designated grade level. All instructors involved have received training through the Arkansas Department of Education and/or advanced degree training.

The Gifted and Talented Specialist meets with the kindergarten through second grade students for whole-class enrichment weekly.   Classroom teachers actively promote higher order thinking skills on a weekly basis.  A pull-out program for third through sixth grade students meets during the week for a minimum of one-hundred fifty minutes with the certified Gifted and Talented Instructor.  Activities are geared to meet the needs and interest of the identified gifted and talented students. Grades seven through twelve gifted and talented students’ needs are met through designated classes in the academic areas of English, math, science, and social science.  Advanced Placement and Concurrent Courses are also program options available.  They also meet with the Gifted and Talented Instructor at least once a month.