The Long Branch Public School District recognizes that all children have unique strengths and talents. We strive to provide opportunities to develop the social, emotional, and academic abilities of each student. All teachers develop learning opportunities to meet these goals through individualized, differentiated learning activities across each content area in every grade level Pre K-12.
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Because every child is different, NAGC recognizes that there is no “one perfect program” for teaching gifted students. Instead, the NAGC Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards state that “a continuum of services must exist for gifted learners” at every level.
The accelerated learner has needs that can be met in a multitude of ways. Essentially, a "continuum of services" provides administrators, teachers, Parent/Guardian, and students with a myriad of educational options that are respectful of individual student differences and mindful of classroom and community resources. This range of services can be provided in the form of accommodations in the regular classroom, and part-time assignment to both regular and special classes.
Overview of the Gifted & Talented Program
The Long Branch Public Schools Gifted and Talented Program in Grades K-5 shall be referred to as the Accelerated Learning Program (ALPs) and in Grades 6-12 as Honors and Accelerated courses. These are needs-based programs designed for those students who, when compared to their chronological peers, possess or demonstrate exceptionally high levels of ability in one or more content areas. The accelerated classes provide additional and appropriate educational challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of these students. The curricula are designed to provide appropriate challenges to intellectually and academically advanced learners.
Goals of the Program
To challenge students who demonstrate a need for rigor beyond the grade level expectations.
To provide an environment that encourages the development of critical thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and complex problem solving strategies.
To provide an environment that encourages divergent thinking and supports the development of originality, fluency, flexibility, and elaboration.
To develop confidence in expressing ideas through various media and platforms.
To advance the process of inquiry through the application of skills in investigations of real-life problems and research.
To provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills through positive group interaction.
To encourage a lifelong commitment to independent learning.
Identification of Gifted & Talented Students
The identification process occurs at the beginning and middle of each school year. However, each school reviews students' information and data collected on a regular basis and reviews the information with the administration for an ongoing identification process. Multiple measures used for identification include assessment data, teacher and Parent/Guardian recommendations.
It can be helpful to consider the diferences:
A learner...
Needs multiple (6-8) repititions for mastery
Answers the questions
Understands ideas
Completes assignments
Is a technician
An accelerated learner...
Needs minimal (1-2) repititions for mastery
Discusses using details and elaborates
Constructs abstractions
Initiates projects
Is an inventor
Equity and Access
The Long Branch Public Schools strive to provide equity and access to all students. In recognition of this we offer assessments that are responsive to students' economic conditions, gender, developmental differences, special needs, language proficiency, and any other factors that mitigate against fair assessment practices. Assessment data comes from multiple sources and includes multiple assessment methods. Assessment measures provide evidence of reliability and validity for the intended purposes and target students.
Looking for More Information?
If you are looking for even more information on our Accelerated Learning Program including the procedure for filing a complaint, please checkout the guide.
