The collaboration cluster model is the service delivery model for gifted services. Students who are identified as gifted are clustered in groups of 5 – 8 based on their area of identification within heterogeneous classes in English language arts, science, and social studies. Each middle school has a full-time resource teacher for the gifted (RTG). Within the collaborative cluster model, the RTG and cluster teachers regularly plan for daily differentiation in a variety of ways: implementing the curricular resources outlined in the Best Practices for Advanced Learners Handbook; infusing strategies identified on the Critical and Creative Thinking Framework for ongoing rigor, depth and complexity to units and lessons; differentiating lessons using pre-assessments and curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, student voice and choice, tiered assignments, problem and project based learning, personalized learning, independent study and/or research projects.
There are additional opportunities for content differentiation through advanced or high school credit bearing courses in mathematics for students who demonstrate readiness. A team of experienced math educators meets to determine mathematics course recommendations for all students. The team considers multiple measures linked to students’ knowledge of content, reasoning ability, and readiness for instruction. This data is considered in conjunction with a course recommendation from their current math teacher. Students identified as gifted may be recommended for acceleration into Pre-Algebra for 6th graders in sixth grade, Pre-Algebra for 7th Graders in seventh grade, Algebra Intensified in seventh or eighth grade, or Geometry Intensified in eighth grade. All students may accelerate as they are ready to do so.
Other high school credit-bearing courses available to identified gifted and highly able middle school students include World Geography, Latin I and II, Spanish I and II, and French I and II and Investigating Computer Science. Eighth-grade students may apply for freshman admission to Arlington Tech at the Career Center. They may also apply for freshman admission to the regional academic-year Virginia Governor’s School (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, located in Annandale, VA, and operated by Fairfax County Public Schools, VA).
Art and music teachers work directly with the students to provide appropriate differentiation for their students. Eligible students may take intensified options in the areas of band, chorus, and orchestra.
Each middle school holds a Gifted Services Information session(s) for parents sharing how services are implemented and/or the screening and referral process.