State College Area School District

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1 State College Area School District Enrichment/Gifted Support Enrichment Specialists Elementary Amy Warner-RP & HO/LE Ron Kauffman-EP & PFE Diane Reed-FA & GW Nancy Tamminga-CS & MNE Middle School High School Debra Daggs-MNMS Howard Pillot-PFMS Sheila Abruzzo-HSS Shirley Donovan HSN Jill Campbell-ARTsmART Director Enrichment/G ifted Support and Student Services Jeanne Knouse Overview of Enrichment Program The District s program for able learners and talented students is called the Enrichment Program. The program structure is patterned after The Enrichment Triad Model developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli of the University of Connecticut. The program model is especially suitable for the unique student population of the State College Area School District and compatible with the Mission Statement and Organizational Goals. It consists of three levels of enrichment services and activities provided for specific populations ranging from a total school population to an individual student. For More Information Visit our website at:

2 1 2 3 What are Level I Enrichment Activities? General Exploratory Activities Level I Enrichment Activities supplement regular classroom activities for an entire interdisciplinary team or classroom of students. These activities sometimes include selecting and arranging for guest speakers, demonstrations, field trips, displays, and the like. They might simply augment normal classroom instruction by enriching regular, daily classroom events through group instruction. These activities are developed with classroom teachers and they are appropriate for all regular education students. Type I enrichment is intended to broaden the experiences of all students in a school. The activities are designed to expose all students to topics or areas of study in which they may develop new, varied and deepened interests. Expanded opportunities to listen to guest speakers in large and small groups, observe demonstrations, see plays, concerts and films help students make decisions relative to future study or research on a particular problem or area of interest. In both the elementary and secondary schools, Enrichment Program Specialists perform such tasks as scheduling speakers for large and small groups, identifying and obtaining resource people, securing materials necessary for scheduled presentations and helping to identify and organize field trips. In general, the Enrichment Program Specialist functions as a resource person assisting with the provision of Type I activities. Questions may be directed to your child s building principal, Enrichment Where and to whom may I direct questions? Specialist or to the Director of Enrichment/Gifted Support and Student Services. It is recommended that you begin at your building level. 2

3 What are Level II Enrichment Activities? Group Training Activities Level II Enrichment Activities provide services, training, and enrichment activities for small groups of able-learners who demonstrate a talent or skill in a particular domain. These activities include sophisticated problem-solving, development of higher-level thinking skills, research, and special-interest, small group projects. The LE Specialist develops these activities with input from the classroom teachers. The activities are appropriate for students who demonstrate advanced academic skills or talents, plus a strong desire in a specific interest area. These highly motivated students express a willingness to be independent learners and go beyond curriculum basics. Type II Enrichment activities are designed to sharpen students learning and thinking processes as well as problem solving and research skills. Advanced classes provide secondary and elementary students opportunities to be exposed to materials, methods and instructional techniques that are concerned with the development of higher-level thinking skills (analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating and evaluating concepts and ideas) and the development and use of problem-solving and research skills. At the secondary level, interdisciplinary seminars, a modified school day option, and study skills on leadership training provide additional opportunities to enhance and develop higher-level thinking, problem-solving and research skills. Type II enrichment activities are intended to be open-ended and to allow students to escalate their thinking processes to the highest level possible. They promote cognitive and effective skill development, serve as an extension of the exploratory activities in Type II enrichment and are a link or training ground for Type III enrichment. Student participation in Type II activities is dependant upon established prerequisites, nature and scope of the course or activity and data generated by assessments to assist staff to make judgments relative to student achievement of established goals and objectives. The following list is representative of the types of tests, assessments, checklists, and inventories used to assist staff in determining student eligibility for participation in Type II activities: -Grades and grade point averages -Nationally normed group ability and achievement tests -Individual psychological assessments (if available) -Interest inventories -Teacher recommendations and checklists -Parent recommendations and checklists -Cumulative records -Anecdotal reports -Nonverbal reasoning assessments -Aptitude tests Enrichment Program Specialists perform such tasks as assisting students to select and schedule appropriate advanced courses; develop, plan, teach or assist with the teaching of interdisciplinary seminars; monitor modified school day options; provide instruction in study, thinking, and leadership training skills for students and staff; and facilitating special interest group excursions. In relation to Type II activities the program specialist serves as a liaison for students, teachers, parents, and administrators. They function as providers of support services and instructors of students. **At the elementary level, this includes both Advanced Math Class and Enrichment Pull-out Math** 3

4 What are Level III Enrichment Activities? Individual and Small Group Investigations of Real Problems Summary of Enrichment Services Type I, Type II and Type III Enrichment activities are designed to provide comprehensive programming for the District s talented and able learners within the Regular Education Program. Opportunities for enrichment and acceleration are integrated across disciplines and at all levels. There is a reliance on local resources. Opportunities are provided for parent and private sector involvement. The general aim of the Enrichment Program is to nurture the learning abilities of children, broaden their experiences and interests, develop their skills as they mature and provide real life opportunities to apply their interests and skills in the school and local community. Type III enrichment consists of activities in which a student becomes an actual investigator of a real problem or topic by using appropriate methods of inquiry. These activities provide opportunities in which students can apply their interests, skills, talents, creativity and task commitment to a self-selected problem or area of study. The student focuses on the type of problem that a professional investigator, researcher or artist would pursue. Student eligibility for participation in Type III enrichment is determined through an interview and planning process facilitated by a Program Specialist. A student, with the assistance of a teacher, parent, counselor or administrator, works cooperatively with the Program Specialist to ensure that the student proposing an investigation possesses the appropriate task commitment, investigative and research skills and communication skills. The Enrichment Program Specialist helps the student to define the parameters of an investigation, provides methodological and managerial assistance and assists in identifying and securing outlets and audiences for products. The Program Specialist also monitors student progress and assists the building administrator with the awarding of credit for independent study when appropriate. 4

5 How do I know my child is participating in a Enrichment activity? At the elementary level for all mini-courses your child will bring home a short note indicating participation. If your child is participating in an on-going math or language arts enrichment course, it will be indicated on the progress report. All students in High School Enrichment or ARTsmART Programs require a completed, signed contract. Students involved in Out of school' Enrichment or ARTsmART Program Options will also complete a waiver contract requiring a parent signature. Parents of students new to the 'Out' program will be contacted by Program Specialists. Enrichment Screening Students may be referred for a screening by any member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including building principal, general education teacher, learning enrichment teacher, parent, and in some cases student, to determine eligibility for Enrichment Services. A screening will include a records review and may include additional curriculum-based assessments and/or intelligence screening. A meeting of the MDT will follow the screening to discuss possible options and how to best meet student needs. Special Education for Gifted Students Chapter 16 PA School Code Following a Enrichment screening, students possessing outstanding intellectual ability may be referred for potential placement in Special Education/Gifted when it is thought that an appropriate educational program cannot be provided within the Regular Education program, including Enrichment. If the student meets a two-pronged criteria which includes both testing within the gifted range on nationally normed intelligence and achievement tests and determination by a multi-disciplinary team that the student is in need of specially designed instruction beyond what can be provided within the general education, Enrichment, three-tiered approach, special education services will be recommended.