FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What does it mean to be self-contained?

A: A self-contained setting is similar to a regular classroom. It is the child's homeroom in a school and is considered in the school setting as another grade appropriate classroom in the building. For gifted students, it means they would be grouped with children of similar ages in a classroom full-time with instruction geared to their academic needs.

Q: Will my child still attend the gifted center once a week?

A: This placement would be in place of the pullout instruction and address your child's needs on a daily basis.

 
Q: Does my child need to apply for this class annually?

A: Once your child is accepted into the program, the new school setting becomes their home school and they will continue their elementary years in that setting unless you decide to withdraw them from the program.

 
Q: What are the qualifications for this program?

A: Your child needs to be eligible for the gifted program and have a full-scale IQ of 130 or above. An IQ test has two sides: verbal and performance. The full-scale score is the mathematical representation of the scores from both sides of the assessment. Since the program has an academic focus, it is best suited to students who also have above average performance in key areas such as reading and writing.

 
Q: How will the curriculum be addressed?

A: Students will be held accountable for all state standards. We must begin by assessing each student's instructional level. To do this we use a method called compacting. This takes students through the curriculum for their grade level at a fast pace constantly assessing what they already know and what they still need to learn. Approaching student learning plans in this manner ensures that we do not create gaps in skill development and allows us to advance students through the next levels of curriculum.

We anticipate being able to accelerate skill development in the areas of math, language arts, and reading since these subjects have a well-defined skill sequence. In some cases, we may need to access instruction at the middle school level. In content related areas such as science and social studies, we will take care to address the grade level specified concepts and content to ensure your child has the necessary information for state exams. We will however, extend the knowledge base and the approach to topics in each of these subject areas.

We include the same affective curriculum as we do in the Challenge pull out program. This curriculum is on the district web site www.meridianschools.org under curriculum and gifted education. We also social skills instruction specifically aimed at the needs of gifted students and explicit instruction in organization and study skills.

Q: Will my child have the same access to special classes?

A: Your child's classroom will still be scheduled for the same amount of music and physical education. We will try to build into their schedules more time in the library for research and additional time in the computer lab for instruction in technology and production of technology related assignments.

Q: Will my child have opportunities to relate with children of the same grade level in the rest of the school?

A: We want your child to feel like a third grader or fourth grader, etc. in our building. They will participate in all school activities for their grade level as well as school-wide activities. Recess, lunch times, and music performances will be with grade level peers. In some instances, when grade levels group for instruction, your child may be part of a skill group based on their ISAT scores. Many of the grade level field trips are related to science and social studies instruction. Since your child will be involved in the same content base in these areas, they will most likely participate in grade level field experiences.

 
Q: Will I be able to participate as a volunteer?

A: Your child will be part of our school and we love volunteers. Be careful that we don't use too much of your time.

Q: Can my other children attend the same school?

A: Siblings at this time would need to request a transfer to the school. These requests are granted annually based on enrollment at the grade level. We will make every effort to help accommodate your need to keep your family together in one school setting.

A: This is a difficult part of your decision. Your child may ride a bus if they can get to a scheduled bus stop for the school; otherwise you will need to transport.

A: The program is a response to parents' request for a full time gifted program. It is an added level of service in our district for gifted instruction. The district will continue to provide the pullout program to centers and of course each building site offers varying levels of differentiation of instruction at the classroom level.

A: This is a very individual decision. If you feel your child needs to be challenged more in academics and your child has not made growth on test measures, you may consider this program. You must consider that your child will be grouped with many of the same peers for several years. You will need to consider your child's ability to make a change from their neighborhood school. You must assess your willingness to transport, if that is an issue.

A: Student selection will be on-going. Applications will be considered as they are received and when current testing data has been secured from their present school. Students with qualifying scores will be eligible for placement in one of the district gifted classrooms. Parents' first request of location will always be considered. However, as classrooms become full, an alternate site may be offered.

A: Parents will be notified by the receiving school as soon as your child has been accepted for placement. This should be a fairly short turn-a-round time, dependent on the securing of test data. Additional registration information will be secured at that time.