monitoring progress in the gifted cluster grouping model: how to tell if it’s working

2012Dina Brulles, Ph.D.

Program Evaluation

Provides information needed to structure gifted services that meet the needs of your school population

In Preparation

Create a database of your gifted students Include:

Students’ names, grade, DOB Gifted test scores Dates tested, names of tests, previous scores Dual exceptionalities

Showing Growth in a cluster grouping model

Measuring:Ethnic representation of gifted students

Academic achievement of gifted and all other students

Gifted population identified and served by year

Teachers participating in gifted education training

Is your school serving all your gifted students?

Monitor:

• % of students identified AND served by year

• Ethnic breakdown of gifted to school pop.

Case Study

Glendale, AZ

2000 - 2006

Gifted Identification

Glendale, AZ

Gifted Population ~ Growth by Year Using the SCGM & NNAT, 2000-06

Glendale, AZ

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1 2 3 4 5 6

White

Hispanic

Numbers of gifted population depicted by ethnic representation of White and Hispanic gifted student populations between 2000-2006

Cluster Grouping: Achievement Implications

Narrowed range of abilities allows for more focused instruction

Teachers learn strategies for advanced ability learners they can use for all students, not just the gifted students

On-going assessment of students’ strengths and needs ensures continual progress

Gifted students are more likely to receive advanced instruction and extended learning opportunities

Not all student are working on the same material at the same time

Higher expectations for all students!

*This requires first creating a gifted student data base.

Journal for Educating the GiftedWinter 2010

June 22, 2008

Number of Participants in StudyTotal Number of Students: 3,162Students in Cluster Classroom: 535Non-Cluster Classroom: 2,627

All students that participated in this study were not identified as gifted.

Percentage of Participants in StudyStudents in Cluster Classroom: 17%Non-Cluster Classroom: 83%

Results of Pre to Post Assessment Scores in Mathematics

For each school, make a chart showing yearly achievement of gifted students in each content area tested by the state. Example of gifted students in one school:

2010 2009

4th Grade

Gifted vs OthersREADING

MATHComparing schools within a feeder system

Gifted Resource Site (Intranet-based)

Gifted Resource Site houses curriculum, differentiated lesson plans, classroom video clips, cluster teacher meeting agendas, etc.

Essential maps are created for gifted, at each grade level for each quarter. Skills & standards are aligned with district adopted curriculum.

Teachers pre-assess standards, ‘at’ and ‘above’ gr. Level for each quarter, and record results documentation checklists to determine instructional level for each student.

Extension menus and other DI lesson plans posted by grade level and content area,

Tools to guide & gauge progress in the school and the classroom

Gauging parents’ perceptions

Do parents feel their teacher…

allows for extended learning opportunities?

grades fairly? understands how gifted students think, learn, feel?

Using Parent Surveys

Identifying training needs: Using Surveys

An Administrator’s Perspective

Is there evidence of: Yearly academic growth? Pre-testing?Flexible grouping?Compacting curriculum?Differentiated learning?Student directed learning?Small & large group instruction?

Using Data and the Administrator Observation Form

ADMINISTRATOR OBSERVATION FORM

Student considerations

Do students feel their schoolwork is interesting and challenging?

How can you tell?

Using Student Surveys

Reflecting on teaching practices

Does your teacher training address your students’ learning needs?

Are you providing a variety of differentiated learning opportunities for your gifted students?

Is it working?

Using the Teacher Self-Assessment Checklist

Differentiated Education Plans

Differentiated Education Plans

Staff Development TopicsCharacteristics of gifted learnersNomination & ID proceduresParent communicationDI strategies for all teachersHow to pre-asses for student entry pointsTeaching holistic thinkersForming flexible groupsCreating tiered assignmentsCurriculum compacting

Cluster Grouping Articles & Resourceswww.pvschools.net/gifted

Maximizing Gifted Students’ Potential in the 21st Century, AASA The Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model: Restructuring Gifted Education in the Twenty-First Century, Gifted Child Today

Improving performance for gifted students in a cluster groping model, Educating the Gifted

The Cluster-grouping Handbook, Interview with Winebrenner & Brulles

The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All, Free Spirit Publishing

The Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM), Gifted Education Press Quarterly

Sound Off: What can schools do to keep gifted students enrolled and productive?, Free Spirit

Knowledge Delivery Systems, Online course: Cluster Grouping An Inclusive Approach fore Servicing Twice-exceptional Students: The SCGM, 2e Newsletter

Contact & Resources

http://gifted.pvschools.netwww.giftededucationconsultants.com

Dina BrullesSusan Winebrnner

www.susanwinebrenner.com