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Requests for review will be due May 4, 2012 to allow the gathering of necessary information for the June review. Parents who have questions regarding their student's class placement should first speak with the child's teacher(s). By differentiating, or adjusting the content, the means of instruction, or the required product, classroom teachers can offer greater challenges for high ability students within the regular ed classroom. If a student's academic needs prove to be beyond extensive differentiation, a request for a review for Extended class placement may be made by a parent and/or teacher. (Please note that students currently enrolled in 6th-7th grade Extended English, Math or Art and 7th grade Extended Science classes will continue in those placements unless parents are notified otherwise before the end of the school year.) The review takes place twice a year, in November and in June. As documentation of classroom differentiation is critical for review, requests for review must be made at least a month before the review date to enable the teacher to gather needed work samples for the student review portfolio.(See below) Extended Review Process If a teacher and/or parent feel that a student’s needs are beyond extensive classroom differentiation, and if the student’s scores are not indicative of his/her level of ability, a request can be made to review the current placement. A student portfolio is created and the following items are gathered to document the student’s above-level ability: For Extended Written and oral responses to above-grade level literature that document deep comprehension Other writing samples that illustrate strong critical thinking skills Demonstration of motivation and independence of work habits Teacher recommendation Optional: one page parent letter For Extended Math (grades 3-5): Proficiency on designated math test Examples of extended response problem solving, such as exemplars. Other work samples illustrating strong critical thinking skills Demonstration of motivation and independence of work habits Teacher recommendation Optional: one page parent letter Extended Science (grade 7): Current strong performance in Extended Math and/or Extended English (or 6E) Designated student work samples Demonstration of motivation and independence in work habits Teacher recommendation Optional: one page parent letter Two teams, each made up of both Extended and regular education teachers, meet to review the folders of the review candidates. Names of students and teachers are blocked on all items in the review folder, and test scores are covered. After each team reviews a folder and records a recommendation, the folder is passed to the other team which follows the same process. At the end of the session, both teams share their recommendation. If they match, the recommendation is accepted. If there is a difference of opinion, discussion continues until a mutual agreement is reached. Parents and teachers are notified of review results by email or, if requested, U.S. mail. |
