Gifted Weekly

Although enrichment has taken up increasing space in student schedules, the goals of such programs are unclear. In one school, enrichment is a 15 minute project period to allow students to wrap up or revisit science or social studies projects. In another school, enrichment designates pull-out programs for those identified as gifted. For another, enrichment reaches the entire student body in the Schoolwide Enrichment Model developed by Joseph Renzulli and Sally Reis. In this approach, tiers allow for (1) all students to experience rich, higher-level thinking opportunities through grade-wide projects; (2) some students to access accelerated subject-area content in, for example, math or language arts; and (3) personalized projects to allow gifted students to follow and develop their specific interests.

Regardless of the approach, a school district will provide students’ the greatest opportunity for success when the enrichment model is synchronized across grade levels in order to provide a clear continuum of services with specified goals and outcomes for a wide range of students. Advisory groups including students, parents, teachers and administrators can provide useful input based on their own experiences, allowing programs to be developed according to best practices as well as community needs and interests.

Next time, a local example based on the SEM will be shared in detail. (See Preview below).