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High Ability Program

MISSION OF THE ACS HIGH ABILITY PROGRAM
 
The mission of Anderson Community School Corporation is to provide for the maximum development of skills, abilities, and knowledge for students who exhibit or have the potential for high ability from all cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds in an atmosphere that recognizes their unique individual intellectual, social and emotional needs.
According to the Indiana State Board of Education (511 IAC 6-9.1-1 Definitions), a high ability student is one who:
(1) performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared to other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and
(2) is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.
There are some important distinctions between students who are high ability and those who are “great students” or “need a challenge.” Whereas high achieving students most frequently benefit from differentiated instruction with grade-level content, high ability students require significantly more breadth and depth in their instruction, either through acceleration (above grade-level content) or enrichment (a deeper, creative, critical approach to grade-level content).

High achieving students…
remember the answers.
get “A”s.
are interested.
are attentive.
generate advanced ideas.
work hard to achieve.
answer the questions in detail.
perform at the top of the group.
learn with ease.
need 6-8 repetitions to master.
enjoy the company of age peers.
grasp the meaning.
are receptive.
are accurate and complete.
enjoy school often.
are technicians with expertise in a field.
memorize well.
are pleased with own learning.
High ability students…
pose unforeseen questions.
may not be motivated by grades.
are curious.
are selectively mentally engaged.
generate complex, abstract ideas.
know without working hard.
ponder with depth and multiple perspectives.
are beyond the group.
already know.
need 1-3 repetitions to master.
prefer the company of intellectual peers.
infer and connect concepts.
are intense.
are original and continually developing.
enjoy self-directed learning.
are experts who abstract beyond a field.
guess and infer well.
are self-critical.
Kingore, B. (Spring 2004). “High Achiever, Gifted Learner, Creative Thinker.” Understanding our Gifted. www.bertiekingore.com
This year, according to State Guidelines, all students in Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 5, and Grade 8will be tested for High Ability.
 
Teachers will start identifying High Ability students in Grades 1, 3, and 4, for the 2022-2023 school year in February. 

The NWEA will be part of the pre-screening for High Ability referrals for all students. Those students selected from the NWEA pre-screen and other elements will begin High Ability testing in March. Information will be compiled and presented to the committee for further review. We anticipate results from the High Ability testing to be sent out to parents in April.

Teacher and Parent referrals for students in Grades 1, 3, 4, and other grade levels are due by February 1, 2024. These referrals must include the teacher checklist and parent checklist. Required forms are attached below.
If you have questions or would like more information about the High Ability Program at Anderson Community Schools please contact:
 
Pamela Storm
Federal Grants Director
(765) 641-2160