Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
NC Gifted Specialist: Marissa.Kusmierczyk@dvusd.org
Grade
English Language Arts
Level
Grouping
Options:
Acceleration
Options:
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Advanced Content
Departmentalization
K
Talent Pool Cluster
Enrichment Options:
MTSS
Differentiated classroom
Instruction
Co-Teaching/Gifted Specialist
Differentiation
Math
Grouping
Options:
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Advanced Content
Departmentalization
Acceleration
Options:
3rd
Pull out math
grade acceleration
Walk Up to next grade
level
Talent Pool Cluster
Consultation w/GS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
Other
Enrichment Options:
Other Opportunities:
MTSS
Differentiated classroom
Instruction
Co-Teaching/Gifted
Specialist
Extracurricular Activities
 After school clubs
Leadership Opportunities
Social/Emotional Support
Field Trips
Differentiation
Field Trips
Consultation w/GS
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Differentiation
Field Trips
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
After school clubs
Field Trips
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Pull out math 3rd
grade acceleration
Differentiation
Departmentalization
Cluster Grouping
Walk Up to next grade
level
Differentiation
Departmentalization
Cluster Grouping
Walk Up to next grade
level
Differentiation
Walk Up to next grade
level
Differentiation
Co-Teaching
After school clubs
Field Trips
Walk Up to next grade
level
Differentiation
After school clubs
Consultation w/GS
Field Trips
Walk Up to next grade
level, HS Algebra or
Geometry
Differentiation
After school clubs
Consultation w/GS
Field Trips
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
After school clubs
Field Trips
After school clubs
Field Trips
Flexible Grouping
5th
6th
7th
8th
Departmentalization
Cluster Grouping
Advanced
Classes
Differentiation
Departmentalization
Cluster Grouping
Advanced
Classes
Differentiation
Co-Teaching
Departmentalization
Cluster Grouping
Advanced Content
Advanced
Classes
Differentiation
Departmentalization
Consultation w/GS
Advanced Content
Advanced
Classes
Differentiation
Departmentalization
Consultation w/GS
Advanced Content
Advanced Content
Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching
After school clubs
Field Trips
Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
NC Gifted Specialist: Marissa.Kusmierczyk@dvusd.org
2015 - 2016 School Year
Definitions
Enrichment
Enrichment refers to the presentation of curriculum content with more depth, breadth, complexity, or abstractness than the general curriculum. Enrichment
allows exploration in individual interest areas. Opportunities are provided within Gifted Cluster, Renaissance, and SAGE classrooms and also as afterschool
and/or summer school programs.
Acceleration
Acceleration means presenting the curriculum content earlier or at a faster pace. Options may include:
• Accelerating curriculum in the general classroom
• Attending classrooms at the next grade level for part of the day
• Placement in honors or advanced content classes
Differentiation
Arizona College and Career Ready Standards are taught while utilizing differentiated instructional strategies to meet the needs of gifted students. Differentiated
classrooms allow a gifted student to gain a deeper, broader understanding of the curriculum content. For gifted children, choice is a vital component of all areas
of differentiation. In alignment with the Arizona mandate and best practices in gifted education, teachers differentiate for gifted students by process, product,
content, and learning environment.
Gifted Cluster Model
Cluster grouping is a full day service model. Gifted students are grouped (typically 4-8 identified students) together in a classroom with teachers who are
trained to differentiate the curriculum and environment for gifted students.
SAGE Content Replacement / Pull-out Model
SAGE is a content replacement program in language arts and/or math for identified gifted students in grades 3-6. All identified students meet daily in the SAGE
classroom, in lieu of general education classrooms to receive their instruction in English language arts and/or math from an endorsed gifted teacher.
Gifted Full Day Classrooms
Located at Canyon Springs and Highland Lakes Schools, Renaissance Academy provides an all-day differentiated learning experience addressing the individual
needs of highly gifted students. Bright Child Gifted Full-Day Kindergarten is available at Canyon Springs.
Advanced Content Classes
At the middle school level, advanced-level courses are designed to provide a more rigorous curriculum and higher expectations for student performance.
Advanced courses follow the Parallel Curriculum Model.
MTSS
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is defined as a whole-school, data-driven, prevention-based framework for improving learning outcomes for EVERY
student through a layered continuum of evidence-based practices and systems.
Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
NC Gifted Specialist: Marissa.Kusmierczyk@dvusd.org
Placement Criteria
Eligibility for Cluster Grouping and SAGE Programs
Students who score at or above the 97th percentile will be placed in a Cluster Grouping or SAGE classroom for either English language arts and/or
math. Depending on the programming available at your child’s school, they will be placed in either the SAGE program or appropriate Gifted Cluster
classroom.
Additionally, Deer Valley Unified School District has provisional placement (placement in the gifted program as long as the student is successful)
when one of the following criteria has been met:
• A percentile score of 95 or 96 in Verbal or Quantitative
• A Verbal or Quantitative score of at least 85 with a Nonverbal score of at least 97 allows for provisional placement in one subject
• A composite score of 95 or higher
Eligibility for Renaissance Gifted Academies
DVUSD accepts applications for placement in one of the Renaissance Gifted Academies for students meeting specific criteria for intellectual and
academic capabilities. On CogAT or a comparable assessment, students must score at the 97th percentile or above on at least two of the subtests
and a minimum of 90th percentile on the third subtest. Additional criteria include documented achievement above grade level and gifted
characteristic profiles completed by parents and teachers. A complete application must be submitted to DVUSD Gifted Services for placement
consideration.
DVUSD Gifted Identification Matrix
Deer Valley has a district created matrix for use in special populations. Gifted teachers and specialists use the matrix primarily at Title I schools,
which historically have low numbers of identified students in culturally and linguistically diverse populations. The matrix allows teachers to increase
the number of students qualifying for services by considering multiple criteria including ability, achievement, and behavioral characteristics. Matrix
identification and placement does not transfer outside of the targeted schools.
Gifted Testing Opportunities
DVUSD students can request testing at their home school by communicating with the home room teacher, SAGE teacher, or Gifted Specialist.
Students not enrolled in a DVUSD school can request testing by contacting the DVUSD Gifted Services department.
For More Information
Please contact your school’s SAGE teacher or Gifted Specialist about options at your school.
Please visit dvusd.org/Domain/95 for more information about options in Deer Valley
Detailed information is available in the Gifted Services Handbook, located on your school and district websites.