The Discovery Program Magnet for Gifted Learners

The Discovery Program is designed to meet the needs of gifted students, grades two through eight, whose abilities are so advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs.

Discovery Program identification process

Concerted efforts are made to be inclusive of all student groups in the Discovery Program identification process. Students may be referred by parents, teachers, self, peers or other professionals. The following indicators are utilized during the screening process:

Necessary for consideration:

• Tests of intellectual ability
  
• Above grade level performance
  
• Achievement and performance tests
  
• Parent rating scales
  
• Teacher rating scales
  
• Student questionnaires
  
• Report Card
  
• Other educational resources

Looking after the unique needs of the learner

All students have the right to an education commensurate with their ability to learn. Likewise, all students should be challenged to their optimal potential.

Students who demonstrate potential far beyond that of their age peers may need differentiated programming and services. Such programming is an essential facet of an appropriate and responsive education. By virtue of advanced development and interests, students may need opportunities beyond those provided in the regular classroom.

Gifted students come from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and have diverse abilities, interests, and learning styles. Thus the programming and curricula planned for them must be diverse, advanced and complex enough to meet their needs. These opportunities should provide for growth in intellectual, creative, social/emotional , and aesthetic domains.

Challenging students

Educational opportunities may take the form of challenging academic content, higher level thinking skills, and in-depth study as well as opportunities to accommodate diverse interests and opportunities for advanced learning.

Curriculum differentiation is planned according to the unique needs of the learner. Encouraging students to do their best and to develop intellectual, scholarly skills and attitudes will be emphasized. The school will work with the home to encourage students to become productively engaged in the learning enterprise.

While it is rare for a gifted student to exhibit all characteristics, it is common for a gifted student to manifest many of the following:

• possesses strong problem solving abilities
• learns rapidly with little repetition
• displays a high degree of creativity
• is persistent in seeking task completion
• strives towards perfectionism
• is passionate in one or more areas of interest
• possesses a large storehouse of information about a variety of topics
• uses advanced vocabulary
• displays a keen sense of humor
• is tenacious
• prefers older companions
• reads early or avidly with greater comprehension
• shows insatiable curiosity and persistence
• may question authority
• demonstrates intense emotional or physical sensitivity
• has a strong sense of justice
• is concerned about global issues
  

Supporting your child

• Model lifelong learning
• Encourage your student to express feelings
• Be a good listener
• Allow time for recreation and free time
• Help your student believe in himself/herself
• Model problem solving and ways to deal with failure
• Value hard work and the satisfaction of achievement
• Learn your student's strengths and emphasize the positive

• Be a partner in your child's education by volunteering in the classroom
• Attend and represent gifted and talented needs on school committees
• Communicate openly and develop a rapport with your child's teacher