1. AIG Parent Informational Meeting
August 20, 2018

2. What is the role of the AIG teacher in Middle School?
To ensure student needs are being met for rigor and enrichment in core content classes
To consult and collaborate with teachers to provide resources to ensure that each student has enrichment opportunities aligned with the grade-level Common Core Standards
To assess students for identification in the AIG program
This informational meeting is to explain how the middle school experience differs from the elementary school experience for students that participate in AIG enrichment.
While many of your children may have been identified in elementary school, we have many students who are new to North Carolina and/or Wake County and are not identified until middle school. Also, some students may have been identified in elementary school in one area and are later identified in an additional area in middle school.

3. How is AIG different in Middle School?
Teacher to student ratio: Elementary schools ratios are usually 65 to 1 while middle school ratios are much higher. (We currently have 299 identified AIG students at LRMS.)
Pull out classes are on a weekly rotating basis, not daily.
Teacher collaboration and planning is done on a weekly basis through Professional Learning Teams (PLTs).
The ratio of students to teacher is much greater in middle school, therefore the interaction with the AIG teacher will be different.
We have 299 identified AIG students at LRMS which essentially means that pulling students out of classes looks very different than it did in elementary school. Students are pulled out on a rotating basis, not daily or even weekly. In a few moments I will explain the difference between grade levels and the interaction I have with students on a weekly basis.
I attend the professional learning team meetings that are held weekly in all core classes. PLTs are designated times each week where your child’s teacher works with grade and department colleagues on curriculum and instruction. Teachers collaborate on assessments or tests, projects and even specifics within curriculum units.

4. WCPSS AIG office requires that students receive “face-to- face” classes with the AIG teacher and the determination for the number of classes is based on school AIG enrollment.
Based on our population, students at LRMS should meet with the AIG teacher 3-4 times per semester. Students at Lufkin average well beyond that requirement through collaborative teaching and Enrichment classes offered during Lightning Time/Lunch Time.

5. 6th/7th/8th Grade Enrichment
ALL AIG students receive enrichment time during Lunch/Lightning Time which includes specific enrichment lessons provided through the WCPSS AIG department.
Lessons will include ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science enrichment.

6. 6th Grade Enrichment
6th grade students participate in lessons focused on problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

7. 7th & 8th Grade Enrichment
Enrichment lessons aligned to four core content areas
Kaplan’s Icons for Depth & Complexity .

8. Clustering & Teacher Time
Reading and Math students are grouped in AIG clusters.
The AIG teacher pulls students out of Lightning/Team Time not from core classes
Rigor and relevance are at the forefront in curricular decisions and all lessons are aligned with CMAPP.

9. Testing: Nominations for AIG testing are open throughout the year.
AIG Testing takes place on specific dates in the Fall and in the Spring of each year.
SSA Nominations & Testing (2nd Semester: Nominations will be announced well in advance through multiple sources to include the school website and the Newsflash)
Although nominations may be made at any time throughout the year, the School Based Committee for Gifted Education does require a cut-off on nominations prior to testing. This allows for consents to go home prior to testing and to coordinate testing times with teachers. Students who are nominated too late for testing in the fall will be moved to the spring testing window.

10. Are Students Identified as AIG in Elementary School tested again to qualify for services in Middle School?
No, students do not have to be tested again to receive services. All services received in elementary school will follow students to the middle school. Students identified in only one area may be tested in the other area if needed.

11. Can my student be identified in this county if they were previously identified in another county or state?
Yes, your student can be identified through the reciprocity process with gifted documentation from the previous school district. Ms. Adcock will complete all necessary paperwork to expedite this process.

12. Is it necessary for me to contact the AIG teacher at the middle school prior to the beginning of the school year?
AIG identification carries over from the elementary school to the middle school within WCPSS and AIG records are included in the cumulative folders that we receive. Ms. Adcock receives reports that include the names of all AIG students and their area of identification.

13. Additional Enrichment:
Additional programs throughout the county and state are located on the AIG webpage which is located on the LRMS website.
DUKE TIPS:
Information about DUKE TIPS will be sent home for eligible 7th grade students within the next two weeks. Student packets will include information on how to register for upcoming SAT and ACT tests.

14. Whole Grade Advancement: What is it?
Determination is made on individual basis
Option for highly advanced AIG student
Appropriate for a student who performs consistently 2-3 grade levels above current grade level in literacy and mathematics
Cognitively and conceptually capable of handling the increased demands of the next grade level
Socially & emotionally mature and demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills
Independent learners who seek out academic challenges

15. Whole Grade Advancement: PROCESS
Request is made by parents to school prior to the 135th day of instruction
Documents pulled for portfolio
SBCGE meets to discuss student need
Recommendation is made to WCPSS AIG office
Additional documentation may be collected
Psychological testing through WCPSS AIG office
Recommendation comes back to SBCGE
Student is placed or request denied

16. Single Subject Acceleration: What is it?
During a specified nomination window, parents OR teachers can nominate students to SKIP a grade level of content in either ELA or Mathematics (Students may ONLY be nominated and assessed for SSA in ONE subject area.).
Math 1 or Math 2 cannot be skipped through SSA
Nomination windows are very specific and usually open in April.

17. Single Subject Acceleration: PROCESS
Nomination windows will appear on school website and will include instructions to nominate.
Assessment includes an ABOVE GRADE LEVEL comprehensive test to establish mastery of foundational skills & subject content the course requires (skipped course).
Students will have only ONE attempt at the exam.
Math SSA requires a score of 80% or better.
ELA SSA requires a score of 85% or better followed by a writing prompt graded at the district level.
Parents will not receive a breakdown of questions missed and students will not participate in a review of test items.

18. What does Single Subject Acceleration look
like at Lufkin Road Middle School?
Vertical movement by track
NCVPS
Progression in high school

19. Credit by Demonstrated Mastery
Students may earn high school credit for specified courses without spending a set number of hours taking the course in a classroom.
The application date has not been released yet but typically it must be received to WCPSS by December 15th.
Phase 1 of the process (testing) usually takes place in February.

20. Contact Information:
Phone: (919) extension: 25683
AIG Website:
Located on the LRMS website under the Academics tab