Laurel-Concord Public School

HIGH ABILITY LEARNER PROGRAM

Mr. Les Owen and Mrs. Stephanie Petersen
(HAL) Coordinators

PHILOSOPHY

Laurel-Concord Public Schools are committed to an educational program that recognizes the unique characteristics of the student and strives to advance to the fullest all aspects of the student's development.

The development of enrichment and accelerated programs supports the district's commitment to meeting the needs of those students who demonstrate a special talent or high ability that is not appropriately met through the regular curriculum.

Laurel-Concord's High Ability Learner (HAL) Program is a multidimensional program which utilizes a variety of teaching strategies and curriculum approaches to challenging and motivating students to advance to the fullest all aspects of the student's development.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

Laurel-Concord adheres to belief statements outlined by the Nebraska Department of Education Rule 3 and has developed the HAL Program on the beliefs that:

High ability learner capabilities are evidenced in all races, creeds, national origins, genders, physical abilities, and economic strata.

All learners with high ability should have an education free from economic and cultural bias.

Individuals with high abilities have unique learning needs.

Learners with high ability come from diverse economic and cultural settings and must be identified. Services shall be provided to address their educational needs contingent upon available local, state, and federal funding.

Educators have a responsibility to be adequately trained to meet the needs of learners with high ability.

Community understanding and involvement is critical in the education of learners with high ability.

Parents are valued partners in the education of learners with high ability.

Learners with high ability require a variety of challenging experiences that will enable them to demonstrate their potential.

Educational excellence for learners with high ability requires a commitment of financial and human resources.

DEFINITION OF HIGH-ABILITY LEARNER

Laurel-Concord Public Schools adhere to the definition of gifted education as stated in Rule 3 of the Nebraska Department of Education:

"Learners with high ability means students who gives evidence of high performance capability in such areas as intellectual, creative, or artistic capacity or in specific academic fields and who requires accelerated or differentiated curriculum programs in order to develop those capabilities fully." [as defined in Nebraska Revised Statute Sec. 79-1107(3)]

GOAL

The goal of the HAL Program is to provide a program of quality educational experiences designed to meet the individual needs and rights of identified high ability learners

OBJECTIVES

1. Develop awareness about the nature and needs of high ability learners.

2. Design and implement an organizational structure that will facilitate curricular, extracurricular, and social emotional experiences for high ability learners.

3. Provide adequate human and material resources to meet the program goals.

4. Allow flexibility in the learning environments so that students can pursue individual interests and advanced areas of study.

5. Provide opportunities for professional development in the area of high ability learner education.

6. Make information available to parents and staff about specific areas of programming; such as student identification, curricular and instructional offerings, and program evaluation procedures.

7. Communicate the program and services for high ability learners to patrons on a periodic basis.

8. Conduct evaluations whereby faculty, students, and parents assess the progress of planning and implementing student experiences, exchanging information and ideas relating to all aspects of the program, and using evaluative data to make appropriate modifications in program practices.


HIGH ABILITY LEARNER IDENTIFICATION

The basic goal of the HAL Identification Program will be to identify those students who posses special academic or intellectual abilities and/or creative abilities so that enrichment or acceleration may be provided within the classroom setting.

Laurel-Concord Public School will expand the matrix system for the identification of high ability learners in grades 3-12 during the 2001-02 school year. Because high ability learners are defined as those who are academically or intellectually advanced, Phase I screening will be done using the school's standardized achievement tests (Terra Nova), and STAR (Reading/Math) or classroom assessments. Phase II will utilize teacher and parent recommendations as final consideration in the identification process.

The matrix was developed to maximize efficiency, adaptability, and the use of multiple criteria in the identification process.


The process used in the identification of high ability learners is included on the following pages. In order to provide consistency in the implementation of this program, this process provides a two year identification period after which time a student whose matrix scores do not qualify them for the program will be removed from the identified list. Students and/or their parents may request consideration for program participation in subject areas not included in the identification matrix.


IDENTIFICATION MATRIX FOR HIGH ABILITY LEARNERS

Name:

Date:

Identification as a high ability learner will result if a student's total score on Phase I & II is14 or above. This minimum score was determined in order to provide for the identification of approximately 10 percent of the total student population, in accordance with Nebraska Rule 3. Identification shall be for one school year.


DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTINUUM OF PROGRAM SERVICES

Laurel-Concord Public Schools shall serve identified high ability learners by using the following instructional curriculum patterns:

(a) Differentiated Curriculum
(b) Curriculum Enrichment
(c ) Curriculum Compacting
(d) Curriculum Acceleration

Laurel-Concord Public Schools shall provide, in addition to opportunities for cognitive growth, opportunities for affective growth. These opportunities include:

(a) Personal social awareness and adjustment
(b) Academic planning and performance
(c) Vocational and career awareness
(d) Investigation and planning


Laurel-Concord Public Schools shall provide specialized counseling specific to the needs of high ability learners. This specialized counseling will include assisting high ability learners to make long-range decisions about school and career choices.


EVALUATION AND FUTURE PLANNING

Laurel-Concord Public Schools will solicit input from parents, teachers and students to determine the effectiveness of the district's plan for providing services to high ability learners. This questionnaire will be utilized to determine program strengths and weaknesses in areas such as: program design, student identification, available resources, staff development, program management, and level of communication with parents. The district will also evaluate student performance on standardized achievement tests, STAR Tests, and classroom assessments to determine increased student achievement.

Results from the yearly assessments will be utilized to revise the districts future plan for serving high ability learners. A summary of these results will be made available for review by district patrons upon request.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Laurel-Concord Public Schools shall provide to all members of the certificated staff inservice opportunities to broaden their understanding and background in the area of high ability learners. Such inservice training may be provided locally or by other area educational agencies or colleges.

All staff members will be required to have training in APL and incorporate the instructional strategies adopted by the district. In addition, all certificated staff members will receive technology training and demonstrate the ability to infuse technology, including the internet, in the regular curriculum and become proficient in the use of the electronic student information system(Power School).

The district shall also provide release time and an expense allowance for attendance at inservice activities to improve instruction and increase their awareness and skills to enable them to design and implement classroom experiences for high ability learners.


PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET PLAN


Personnel

The superintendent of Schools shall be responsible for implementing the high ability learner program for Laurel-Concord Public Schools. Duties and responsibilities shall be delegated to other school employees as deemed necessary.


Communication with Parents and Public

Laurel-Concord will implement the Power School Program which will provide students and parents access the internet and to receive personal information about current performance, homework, attendance, etc... Along with this information, the school will maintain a homepage with pertinent school information, handbooks, calendars, schedules, e-mail addresses, etc... to encourage a greater level of parent participation in their child's education.

The district will also utilize the local weekly paper, monthly newsletters, and the local cable access channel for periodic communications with both parents and public.

Laurel-Concord Public Schools will also conduct semiannual Parent-Teacher Conferences, Open Houses, Coffees, etc... as another means of encouraging parental and community involvement in district activities.


Budget, Supplies, and Facilities

The superintendent of schools will prepare the budget for the high ability learner program as part of the regular annual budget process. Such budget will include an amount deemed necessary for materials and supplies to serve the high ability learners. After approval by the board of education, certificated staff members will determine priorities for the utilization of funds.

The program for high ability learners will be offered at selected locations within the existing district educational facilities as determined by the superintendent of schools.



INCLUDING STUDENTS FROM CLASS I DISTRICTS

There are no Class I School Districts affiliated with Laurel-Concord Public Schools.

Dear Parents:

In compliance with Rule 3 from the Nebraska Department of Education, your son/daughter has been identified as a high ability learner, a student who would benefit from academic challenge beyond the regular classroom work to meet his/her full potential.

By definition, the term "high ability learner" refers to a student who gives evidence of high performance capability. The three characteristics necessary for high performance are (1) above average intellectual or academic ability, (2) motivation, and (3) creativity. High ability learners are identified based on standardized norm-referenced achievement tests (Terra Nova), the STAR Placement Test in Reading or Math, teacher recommendation and parent recommendation.

For more information about the program, please contact me at (402) 256-3431. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and return the bottom portion if you would like your son/daughter to participate in the program for the 2001-02 school year.

Sincerely,

Maggie Huetig
High Ability Learner Coordinator
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Name:

( ) I agree to have my child in the High Ability Learner Program for the 2001-02 school year.

( ) I do not want to have my child in the High Ability Learner Program for the 2001-02 school year.


Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date:

Developed By:
Dan Hoesing, Superintendent
Les Owen, 7-12 Principal
Stephanie Petersen, K-6 Principal
Maggie Huetig, Media Specialist