10 Things You Need to Know About DEEP Services  

1.  The DEEP Specialist supports the traditional classroom teacher in providing enrichment for     

  high-ability and gifted learners in a small group setting called DEEP Enrichment Groups. 

2.   The DEEP Specialist engages identified high-ability and gifted students, who currently    

  demonstrate the most critical need for services at this time, in learning activities that    

  stimulate higher-level and critical thinking and involve depth, complexity and rigor.   

3. The DEEP Specialist utilizes the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM).  In this model, students who have been identified may move in and out of DEEP groups throughout the year based on their areas of academic strength.  

4.   Students should be identified for DEEP services using multiple data measures (RISE scores, Acadience, teacher feedback, etc.). 

5.   Students identified for DEEP services should include the top 10-12% of students in a grade  

  level.  For example, if there are 80 students in 4th grade, then 8 students should be  

  serviced at that grade level. 

6.   Students should be serviced by grade level rather than by class (schools with higher enrollment  

  numbers may need to service two groups per grade level to maintain small group sizes). 

7.   Once a student has been identified, DEEP services become an educational right, and  

  should not be used as either a reward or a punishment.  A student should not be   

  kept from attending DEEP services due to missing/late work or poor behavior in his or her 

  traditional classroom. 

8. Scheduling students to attend DEEP services during their recess, lunch, or teacher prep times can sometimes feel like punishment to them.  Please avoid scheduling students for DEEP services during these times. 

9.  The DEEP Specialist designs curriculum to meet varying student needs at the school.  DEEP  

          curriculum should align with Dispositions, Essential Skills, and Knowledge (DESK) standards.  

10.   The DEEP Specialist should solicit input and feedback from the faculty and administrators to  

  help direct the DEEP services at the school.