Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
Esperanza School Contact: Brittany Balog
English Language Arts
Math
Grade
Level
Grouping Options:
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Pull Out to SAGE
Renaissance Academy
Advanced Content
K
Kindergarten
Talent Pool Cluster
1st
Gifted Cluster
Placement
2nd
3rd
Acceleration
Options:
Enrichment
Options:
Pull out to SAGE
Push into next grade
level
MTSS
Differentiated
classroom Instruction
Other supplementary
services
Co-Teaching/Gifted
Specialist
Walk up to next
grade level
Grouping Options:
Cluster Grouping
Flexible Grouping
Pull Out to SAGE
Renaissance Academy
Advanced Content
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Kindergarten
Talent Pool Cluster
Flexible Grouping
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Online ELA
Enrichment
(Successmaker)
Gifted Cluster
Placement
Brittany.balog@dvusd.org
Other
Acceleration
Options:
Enrichment
Options:
Pull out to SAGE
Walk up to next
grade level
MTSS
Differentiated classroom
Instruction
Other supplementary
services
Co-Teaching/Gifted
Specialist
Walk up to next
grade level
Extracurricular Activities
Leadership
Development
Social/Emotional
Support
Etc.
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Online Math
Enrichment
(Successmaker)
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
MTSS
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Online Math
Enrichment
(Successmaker/Khan
Academy)
Co-Teaching/Gifted
Specialist
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
Esperanza School Contact: Brittany Balog
4th
5th
6th
Gifted Cluster
Placement
Departmentalized
ELA
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Online ELA
Enrichment
(Successmaker)
Gifted Cluster
Placement
Departmentalized
Math
Brittany.balog@dvusd.org
MTSS
Differentiated
Classroom
Instruction
Online Math
Enrichment
(Successmaker/Khan
Academy)
th
Online 7 grade Co-Teaching/Gifted
Specialist
math
replacement
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
NEHS
Student Council
Field Trips
21st Century After
School Program
NEHS
Student Council
Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
Esperanza School Contact: Brittany Balog
Brittany.balog@dvusd.org
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.
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.
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 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.
Advanced Content Classes
Gifted Continuum of Services Plan
Esperanza School Contact: Brittany Balog
Brittany.balog@dvusd.org
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.
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 Continuum of Services Plan
Esperanza School Contact: Brittany Balog
Brittany.balog@dvusd.org
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.
Curriculum Resources
Grade
Level
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
ELA




Reading Street
Junior Great Books
Words Their Way
Wright from the Beginning

Integrated Curriculum
Model
Junior Great Books
Words Their Way
Wright From the Beginning





Math
Science
Social Studies
Engage NY
FOSS
Harcourt
Integrated Curriculum
Model
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Collections
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.