PCAC Gifted FAQ

Q - Will students be prepared for the “real world” in classes with like-minded people? Position statement by the National Association for Gifted Children NAGC wishes to reaffirm the importance of grouping for instruction of gifted students. Grouping allows for more appropriate, rapid, and advanced instruction, which matches the rapidly developing skills and capabilities of gifted students. Gifted students are a very diverse group from their ethnicity to their personalities and work habits. Focus on 21st century skills will also allow them to be able to work with anyone no matter if they are like-minded or not

Q - Does compacting/accelerating the curriculum cause gaps in learning? Teachers follow a carefully planned out pacing guide that prevents any gaps. Rather than skipping any skills, students are just allowed to move at a quicker pace that their ability allows them to which enables them to cover more material in a school year Instead of having to do a lesson for a week in order to master it, gifted students might be able to master it in only a couple of days. If not more time is spent on it until they do master it

Q - Where are students going after Gateway? North vs. Central breakdown 51 6th Graders in the 2014-2015 Gateway 19 would go to Pickerington Central 32 would go to Pickerington North Students will be together in Algebra and Geometry Will have the opportunity to be clustered in advanced science Offer Gifted Language Arts at both Ridgeview and Lakeview

Q - Are teachers teaching to the test? Teaching to the Standard Every lesson that is taught is tied to a content standard that students must master Regardless of what the test is (there is no longer PARCC) students will be prepared because they have mastered the content standard they are being tested on Teachers use the pacing guides to help them stay the course and ensure there are not any gaps in student learning