Frequently Asked Questions about AIG Identification

MGMS AIG Facts and frequently asked questions:

My child makes all As and Bs; shouldn't he/she be in AIG?

Possibly, but grades are subjective and differ from teacher to teacher. Grades indicate how well a student is doing on the current 'grade level' assignments and for AIG identification the focus is on advanced/above grade level skills.

What happens when a student is nominated for AIG?

Please see the AIG Nomination Process Page.

Since the nomination process takes time, what happens while we wait for the Match Team to make a decision?

At this point the classroom teacher is involved and provides differentiation in your student's regular classes to provide challenge as needed. Also, at the middle school, advanced classes are data driven more than AIG identification driven. The Instructional Coach and the Gifted Ed Specialist go over data several times during the year to make sure all students are appropriately placed. The Match Team process must be completed for AIG identification; however, AIG identification is not required when considering class placements.

What is a DEP (Differentiated Education Plan) and why did I get a DEP to sign?

Your child is identified as a gifted learner and this is documentation to provide information to teachers, the AIG specialist, parent and principal that your child needs a different level of challenge than other students of his/her same age. Signatures on the DEP show that we are all aware of your child's gifts. It outlines which differentiation strategies are being implemented in his/ her classes and lists the placement used by the school to meet your student's gifted needs.

If I receive a DEP in the mail is this an indication of my child's performance in his/her classes?

No, this is an indication that your child is identified as a gifted learner, but your child's classroom performance is indicated by grades and feedback from teachers.

After I sign the DEP, what happens to it?

You will receive a copy of the DEP for your records and the original copy of the signed document is placed in your child's permanent record.

My child has a DEP and is identified AIG, but she is not in the advanced math/reading class. Is this a mistake?

In middle school a student can be identified AIG and be placed in the standard curriculum. Many teachers on staff have their AIG credentials. Not all AIG students will be grouped together in the same class. Myrtle Grove's staff are talented professionals and our mission is to teach to the child, not to the test or a pacing guide. We use multiple forms of data as well as student performance to make the best academic placements for ALL students. We want every student to be successful so we invest a lot of time and resources into looking at student performance, effort, and data to support placement in the advanced classes. As with all students, performance is routinely monitored to make sure students are being successful in their current academic setting.

How is MGMS AIG set up for instruction of gifted students?

Identified students are team-taught in reading and math. Students are NOT pulled out of their regular content classes. The Gifted Education Specialist plans with reading and math teachers and consults with teachers in other subject areas.

· Math – Students are pre-assessed and curriculum is compacted in 7th and 8th grades. Students are subject and cluster grouped for advanced content levels and acceleration of content when appropriate.

· Reading- Taught at an advanced level and accelerated pace as appropriate per class/student. Extension projects and collaboration for daily instruction as appropriate. Students are subject and cluster grouped for instruction.

What academic enrichment opportunities are available at MGMS?

· MGMS Mastery classes

. Battle of the Books

· Young Authors Project (4 county & 3 state level awards). Winners are published.

· Poetry Digest – poetry contest we recently had 40 students published.

· Beta Club - Academic leadership

· Math Counts competition – Past teams have advanced to state level

. Sea Perch

· Science Olympiad

· Science Fair –school and county

Stock Market Simulation

The file at the bottom of the page will explain NHCS AIG framework for middle school AIG programs. There is also information below more specific to MGMS.