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Advanced Programs in Harrisburg

What is best for gifted students is what is best for all students: a spectrum of services that address their varying needs and provide significant differentiation of content, process product and environment in response to these diverse needs. Employing evidence-based programming will enable them to reach their potential.

National guidelines

• Accelerated Pace- instruction is telescoped and matched to student need and content standards at their performance level
• Significant time is spent with other able learners
• Inquiry-based learning addresses issues and concepts
• Flexible Groupings/ Assessments inform instruction
• Individual Research and Study
• Teachers have strong content knowledge as well as a degree/endorsement in teaching or significant experiences with students who are gifted
• Learning responses call for higher levels of thinking, divergent and abstract thinking, and problem-solving
• Active, student-based learning focuses on problems, simulations, proof and reasoning
• Coherent K-12 curriculum with smooth transitions
• Diverse and appropriate materials (matched to the advanced and modified curriculum) need to be accessible
• Learning environment supports each student’s social/emotional growth and their ability to self-regulate

Identification

• Referral from teacher or parent
• Checklist of characteristics
• Achievement Tests- 4 areas
• IQ Test
• Creativity Assessment
• Matrix Score

Advanced Pathways

Tiger Reserve

Tiger Reserve is the full-time option available to students in grades 2,3,4 and 5 from any elementary building. Students must be identified as TAG in order to participate at the elementary level. Students and families electing to join a full-time Tiger Reserve option need to know that students are expected to work hard to develop the following academic behaviors and habits:

• be self-motivated and come to class to learn
• be willing to work at a faster pace
• participate actively in class and do not stop the learning of others
• produce quality work complete nightly homework and long term projects
• demonstrate an intense desire to be challenged by breadth and depth of course content

Tiger Trek

Tiger Trek is the send-out option available at the elementary level. Students participate in academic enrichment/extension lessons for a three day block once a month within a multi-age grouping. 

Advanced Courses in Middle & High School

• Reading
• Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• AP/Dual Credit
• Academic Contests

How Is Advanced Content Different?

Content, Process, Product & Learning Environment are modified to best meet the needs of these learners. Content may be 1 - 3 years above grade level.