AIG Program Standards
What is AIG?
AIG Program Standards
What is A.I.G.?
A.I.G., “Academically/Intellectually Gifted,” is New Hanover County’s program for gifted education. A.I.G. labels the services delivered, not the students themselves.
Who needs AIG?
Students who display high levels of achievement, aptitude, interest, and motivation to learn may benefit from services provided by A.I.G.. A variety of service delivery options are available for students performing above grade level in one or more areas of the curriculum.
How are students chosen to participate?
A student must be nominated for the A.I.G. program. A parent, teacher, or student may begin the nomination process. Once the nomination has been made, a variety of data will be collected to help us evaluate the student’s academic needs. As a parent, you will complete an “Observation Checklist,” which will help us to develop a broader understanding of your child strengths, interests, and needs. The classroom teacher and student will also complete evaluation forms and data will be collected on classroom performance. After all the data has been collected, the Winter Park Match Team will review the information. The Match Team, comprised of the Gifted Education Specialist, an administrator, and classroom teachers will determine if services are needed, and if so, what services and method of delivery is most appropriate.
What are the various levels of service delivery?
Differentiated instructional practices will involve grouping students. Grouping strategies for ALL identified AIG students may include:
-Cluster grouping
-Cooperative learning teams
-Cross-grade classes, cross-age grouping
-Flexible skills grouping
-Ability grouping
-Cooperative learning teams of similar ability
-Regrouping by achievement for subject instruction
-Within class performance grouping
SOME identified AIG students may receive strategically targeted instruction, in addition to the core
instruction, so that ceilings are not placed on learning. These options may include but not limited to:
-Ability Grouping
-Abstraction
-Cluster grouping
-Competitions or advanced clubs
-Complexity
-Concept-based programs
-Cooperative learning teams of similar ability
-Curriculum compacting
-Goal setting for college planning
-Honors, Advanced Placement courses
-Method of inquiry
-Pullout Grouping
FEW identified AIG students receive intensive targeted services. These services are provided to
gifted learners who demonstrate the greatest intellectual need and have not sufficiently responded to
the previous services on the continuum. These services may in some cases replace core instruction.
The duration of the targeted services may be extended for a longer period of time and varies based
on student assessment and progress monitoring data. These options may include but not limited to:
-Single subject acceleration
-Whole grade skipping
-Early entrance to school
-Curriculum compacting
-Concurrent enrollment
-Honors, Advanced Placement courses
-Mentorships
-Early College admission
-Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM)
-Dual Enrollment Learning
-Extra Curricular Programs
-Special Schools for the Gifted (like NC School of Science and Math)
What are some of the delivery options for AIG services?
A.I.G. services may be delivered by any certified teacher. Classroom teachers work closely with the Gifted Education Specialist to differentiate and implement the best general education content for each student’s needs. These practices may include:
♦ team teaching ♦ cluster grouping ♦ subject grouping
♦ resource units ♦ resource class ♦ cross-grade grouping
♦ anchor activities ♦ curriculum compacting ♦ learning centers
♦ tiered assignments ♦ learning contracts ♦ computer-based instruction
♦ independent study ♦ small group electives
What is a DEP?
Every student receiving A.I.G.services will have a personal DEP or Differentiated Education Plan. This form is completed by the Match Team and determines what type and level of services are prescribed. The DEP is sent home for parents to review and MUST be signed and returned to school every year. Every student receiving A.I.G. services will be reviewed annually to determine which delivery model best suits his or her current needs.