There is so much variation in the way Gifted students are served. Not only does it vary state-to-state, but it usually varies district-to-district. Today I want to talk about some of the most popular models for Gifted education so you can gain a better understanding of what they all mean, and the benefits of each model.
Keep in mind that these are generalizations and may not reflect the exact way this model is implemented at every school.
Pull-Out
What it is:
A separate program, usually with a dedicated Gifted teacher or specialist, who takes students from the regular classroom during the school day to meet their needs. This might take place once a week, usually for a total of around 2 hours a week – while some schools have an all day pull-out program once a month. Usually, a pull-out program follows an enrichment model.
Benefits:
There are many benefits to a pull-out model. See the Enrichment model benefits below for a complete list of the benefits of a pull-out enrichment program.
- Social-emotional needs can be addressed and met
- Allows students to develop relationships with Gifted peers
Enrichment
What it is:
Providing students with opportunities that don’t directly align with curriculum and content areas. Enrichment usually includes hands-on investigations, research projects, student choice, STEM, and open-ended activities to allow for students to explore their interests. While enrichment can be done within the regular classroom, it usually takes place in a pull-out format.
Benefits:
- Students become engaged and excited about learning / school
- Provides opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Allows students to develop relationships with Gifted peers
- Social-emotional needs can be addressed and met (if using the pull-out enrichment model)
- Allows students the opportunity to explore their passions and interests
Acceleration
What it is:
This term is one that many people have heard, but it’s actually not that common when it comes to the current practices in Gifted education. Acceleration is often when a Gifted student skips an entire grade level. Alternatively, acceleration could simply mean that a student is working at a faster pace than the curriculum has outlined.
Benefits:
- Provides students with a challenge
- Students get to work on their level and aren’t bored with work that is too easy
- Students can work at a faster pace
- Students will likely be more engaged in learning
- Students will learn how to work hard and put effort in – something they don’t have to do when working below their abilities
Advanced Content Model
What it is:
Similar to a Pre-AP style class, the advanced content model differentiates for Gifted students and high achievers by providing content at a faster pace or a higher level for the main content areas such as math, literacy, etc. This usually occurs in a dedicated class that serves students in this way.
Benefits:
This model has many benefits similar to acceleration, without the pressure or social challenges of being around students that are older.
- Provides students with a challenge
- Students get to work on their level and aren’t bored with work that is too easy
- Students can work at a faster pace
- Students will likely be more engaged in learning
- Students will learn how to work hard and put effort in – something they don’t have to do when working below their abilities
- Provides exposure to like-minded peers with similar social-emotional and academic challenges and strengths
Cluster Grouping
What it is:
Grouping all, or around 5-6, Gifted students into one class rather than having just one or two in each class.
Benefits:
- Creates a “critical mass” for differentiation – harder to overlook differentiating for the higher-achieving students when there is a larger group of them in one class
- Provides exposure to like-minded peers with similar social-emotional and academic challenges and strengths
- Gives Gifted students the opportunity to interact with each other, and with their other non-Gifted peers
- They are served throughout the school day in their regular classroom