Spring-Ford Area School District

Spring-Ford Departments

Gifted Education

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GIFTED PROGRAM

Identified gifted students with active GIEPs may choose to participate in the high school’s Gifted Program.  Participation may take the form of gifted alternatives in 9^th grade history or English, or an upper level gifted alternative in science.   These classes are considered major classes, earn 1 credit and will be included in the calculation of class rank.    Participation may mean taking one of the AT classes which have traditionally been offered as minors.  These earn .5 credits and meet 3 out of 6 days in a cycle.  Finally, participation includes involvement in Gifted Support Resource Periods, for which no credit is given. 

Classes are differentiated from their regular education counterparts in several ways.  Consisting of no more than 20 students, they move at an accelerated pace, involve more independent work and research, and allow for substantial student initiative in the structuring of individual educational programs.  Both 9^th grades classes include a designated gifted component in which students explore the nature of giftedness and how it influences their lives, both in and out of school.  Personal and social skills, as well as study skills are emphasized.