Program Description

“The emphasis in the special programs for gifted learners is on the stimulation of the thinking processes of creativity, originality, problem solving, and of increasing the content depth and sophistication” (Gallagher, p.82). While these elements should certainly be present in programming for all children, the difference for gifted learners is related to the need for a greater depth and complexity. (Kimberly Chandler, Aiming for Excellence: Gifted Program Standards: annotations to the NAGC Pre K-12 Gifted Program Standards.)

SPECTRA:

The Spectra program (K – 12) is the Francis Howell School District’s program for gifted students. The program is an educational intervention for qualifying students, providing a differentiated, rigorous, cognitive curriculum, while giving students the opportunity to interact with intellectual peers in a supportive environment that meets their particular affective needs. Spectra begins in kindergarten and spans through to their senior year of high school. The program provides a significant, meaningful and engaging curriculum that is challenging and rigorous for the student. To ensure continuity the gifted curriculum is aligned with the Missouri Show Me Standards.

The program faculty consists of a facilitator in each elementary, middle school, and high school building. The district employs one full time psychological examiner for the identification of students for the program.

Elementary School Service Model:

The gifted education program at the elementary (K-5) level is a pullout program within each building. The elementary curriculum is divided into three strands: grades K-1, grades 2-3, and grades 4-5. Elementary students receive services for 150 – 240 minutes per week. The gifted facilitator at each site serves as an Educational Resource Teacher (ERT) and provides a variety of gifted services (whole class lessons, meeting with counselors and classroom teachers, meeting with principals, and meeting with parents, etc.) beyond working with gifted students.

It is a goal of the FHSD to cluster Spectra students into one or two regular classrooms at each grade level. It is suggested that each cluster group, when possible, consist of 4 – 6 students. "Gifted and talented students should spend the majority of their school day with others of similar abilities and interests in their areas of strength. They should be placed in a cluster of gifted students within an otherwise heterogeneous group."

Prepared by Karen Rogers, National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented.

It is a goal of the FHSD that Spectra students should not be penalized for work missed in the regular classroom when they attend Spectra class. The Spectra curriculum is handled in a unique manner by the district’s professional staff, participating students, and involved families. The Spectra student is accountable for the concepts, principles, and strategies developed by the classroom teacher on the day the student participates in Spectra. Classroom teachers are encouraged to avoid scheduling major tests, assignment due dates for major projects, and field trips on the day gifted students are participating in the Spectra program.

Middle School Service Model:

The Gifted program (SPECTRA) is an elective credit at Middle School. Identified gifted students are assigned to Spectra as one of their electives at the 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels.

This course is designed to meet the unique and diverse intellectual, emotional and social needs of gifted individuals. All academic areas are open for exploration as enrichment to the student’s existing course schedule. Students are expected to select, pursue and complete one major project before they complete middle school. The skills necessary to complete this project are taught as part of the SPECTRA curriculum. Group and individual activities focused on creativity, problem solving and personal growth support the gifted curriculum areas of research, communication, and critical thinking and affective needs are provided.

According the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), gifted education programming must be an integral part of the general education school day (NAGC Standards, 2005). Research indicates that students excel when they learn with like-minded peers, when they are given consistent learning opportunities and when they are allowed to learn and discover in small groups. Having the middle school gifted program one period a day gives our Spectra students daily learning opportunities in Spectra and significantly decreases the disruption and stress that occurs when students are taken from other classes throughout the year. Daily contact time with the gifted facilitators will also provide opportunities for the facilitator to better meet the student’s cognitive and affective needs.

At the 6th grade level, students who are taking Spectra will have the choice of band, choir or exploratory wheel as their second elective choice. The Spectra teachers will explore opportunities to incorporate concepts from the Explo Wheel when possible. Seventh and eighth graders will choose one elective class in addition to Spectra.

High School Service Model:

Gifted education at the high school level is a multi-format program designed to meet the diverse academic and emotional needs of gifted students. A full time facilitator is housed in all three Francis Howell high schools. The gifted facilitator at each site serves as a Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT) and provides a variety of gifted services such as meeting with students, working with teachers, participating in competitions, working closely with counselors, engaging in career and college planning, etc.

The following three options are designed for students in meeting the four goals of the FH Show Me Standards:

Spectra (for notation): No Credit - This course option is designed for the gifted student who has a full schedule and who does not wish to participate in independent study for credit. Students may “drop-in” the class during the school day with the classroom teacher’s permission. There are activities planned for students who “drop-in” that are aligned with the gifted curriculum.

Spectra for credit – Prerequisites: Meet state guidelines for admission into the Gifted program

This course is designed to meet the unique and diverse intellectual, emotional and social needs of gifted individuals. All academic areas are open for exploration as enrichment to the student’s existing course schedule. Students are expected to select, pursue, and complete a research project of professional quality in an area of interest. In addition to preparing the project, students are expected to participate in group and individual activities focused on communication, critical thinking, personal growth and creativity.

Spectra – Honors credit – Prerequisites: Meet state guidelines for admission into he Gifted program; one semester of high school gifted credit; and approval of the gifted facilitator

This course is designed to meet the unique and diverse intellectual, emotional and social needs of gifted individuals. All academic areas are open for exploration as enrichment to the student’s existing course schedule. Students are expected to select, pursue, and complete a year long research project of professional quality. During the first quarter students will develop an in-depth proposal for this project and acquire a mentor to guide them through the area of study. Only if the student’s proposal is deemed to be of the highest quality by a selected professional committee will they become eligible to receive honors points. Upon completion of the project the committee will convene again to critique the work and presentation. In addition to preparing the project, students are expected to participate in group activities focused on communication, critical thinking, personal growth and creativity. Student and parent must sign an agreement contact.