2464A - PROGRAMS FOR HIGH ABILITY STUDENTS
General Description
The New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation’s high ability program is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, multi-leveled program designed to offer a rigorous challenging curriculum for high ability students.
Kindergarten through Grade 2 Enrichment Program
Students may be considered for early entry into Kindergarten if they meet qualifying guidelines. Parents wishing to seek early admittance for their child need to contact the building principal to discuss the process for early entry. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Curriculum Department.
Student academic needs will be met in the regular classroom through an enrichment model. Elements of the model may include:
Individualized lessons at an appropriate level (differentiated instruction)
Encouragement of independent reading
Individual projects based on interest
Optional and/or tiered assignments
Curriculum compacting and/or acceleration of curriculum
Cross grade groupings for academic subjects
Grades 3 through 12 Services
This program is for students identified as high ability and represents the top two-three percent (2-3%) of the students. Curriculum instruction is based on an accelerated curriculum, problem solving activities, higher-order thinking, compacted curriculum, distance learning, complex problem solving and research, Advanced Placement classes, dual credit opportunities, and early graduation. Examples of homogeneous grouping at this level include elementary magnet placement, middle school homogeneous grouping in the four (4) core subjects, and high school dual credit and early graduation.
High Ability Placement Process
To be eligible for automatic placement in the High Ability program, students tested in grades 2 through 4 (for placement in grades 3 through 5) must meet the following criteria:
Students must score at or above the 80th percentile on the CogAT screener in grade 2.
Students must score at the 90th percentile or higher on the IOWA test in the areas of English/Language Arts and math.
Secondary School Selection Process
New Albany-Floyd County Schools encourage all students to pursue the most rigorous coursework available. Students, not previously placed in the High Ability program, requesting to enroll in advanced middle/high school coursework may be granted entry based on prerequisite coursework/knowledge.
Dual Credit and Early Graduation
Students may enroll in a high school class that offers dual credit if it is available. Students may enroll in a nearby university class for credit as long as the high school does not offer the same class. Students may graduate early with early planning and the approval of the counselor and the principal. It is important to refer to the curriculum bulletin at each respective high school when selecting courses and planning an academic career path.
Appeals Process
Any nominee who does not meet the high ability criteria may petition for consideration through the Curriculum Office. The decision will be based on several data pieces:
Standardized test scores
Principal, teacher, and parent information and recommendations
Aptitude test scores
Classroom grades
SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) School Rating Scales
SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) Home Rating Scales