Excellence for the Future: Program Options for the Academically Gifted

Abstract

This handbook provides North Carolina school units with an explanation of service delivery components for academically gifted students and an overview of a variety of program models for gifted education. The program options include the following: enrichment in the classroom with the consultant-teacher, the Triad Model, resource room/pull-out, community mentorship, content modification, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and independent study. For each program option, provided are a general description, an outline of the model's benefits, recommendations, and resources for further information. Delivery systems for the program options include regular classes, resource classes, separate classes, special schools, Saturday programs, summer residential programs, internships, dual and joint enrollments, and seminars. Curriculum differentiation is discussed, emphasizing the interrelationships among curriculum content, teaching methods, and individualization based on student abilities and needs. The use of group education programs as a substitute for individualized education programs is also examined. Appendices include examples of group education plans and examples of models for some of the program options. (JDD)