Cluster teachers are specially trained in differentiating for gifted learners. Cluster grouping Ĭluster grouping is the gathering of four to six gifted and talented and/or high achieving students in a single classroom for the entire school day. For example, one study shows that high-IQ individuals who experienced full-grade acceleration earned higher incomes as adults. Research suggests that acceleration might have an impact long after students graduate from high school. Children of IQ 180+ who are retained in the regular classroom are even more seriously at risk and experience severe emotional distress.' These accelerated children should be placed together in one class if possible. For example, psychologist Miraca Gross reports: 'the majority of these children are socially rejected, isolated, and deeply unhappy. Some advocates have argued that the disadvantages of being retained in a standard mixed-ability classroom are substantially worse than any shortcomings of acceleration. Whole grade skipping is considered rapid acceleration. For the majority of gifted students, acceleration is beneficial both academically and socially. This may result in a small number of children taking classes targeted at older children. In the U.S., many community colleges allow advanced students to enroll with the consent of school officials and the pupil's parents.Īcceleration presents gifted children with academic material from established curricula that is commensurate with their ability and preparedness, and for this reason is a low-cost option from the perspective of the school. Some colleges offer early entrance programs that give gifted younger students the opportunity to attend college early. This type of acceleration is usually based upon achievement testing, rather than IQ. Subject acceleration (also called partial acceleration) is a flexible approach that can advance a student in one subject, such as mathematics or language, without changing other studies, such as history or science. This may take the form of skipping grades or completing the normal curriculum in a shorter-than-normal period of time ('telescoping'). Pupils are advanced to a higher-level class covering material more suited to their abilities and preparedness. Most gifted students benefit from a combination of approaches at different times. However, for a child to have distinct gifted abilities it is to be expected to score in the top one percent of students.Īttempts to provide gifted education can be classified in several ways. The percentage of students selected varies, generally with 10% or fewer being selected for gifted education programs. This is normally done by having the students skip one to two grades.īeing gifted and talented usually means being able to score in the top percentile on IQ exams. An acceleration program advances the student through the standard curriculum faster than normal. For example, after the gifted students have completed the normal work in the curriculum, an enrichment program might provide them with additional information about a subject. An enrichment program teaches additional, deeper material, but keeps the student progressing through the curriculum at the same rate as other students. The main approaches to gifted education are enrichment and acceleration. Gifted education (also known as gifted and talented education ( GATE), talented and gifted programs ( TAG), or G&T education) is a sort of education used for children who have been identified as gifted and talented.

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