Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1981

Thesis Director

Gerhard C. Matzner

Abstract

Differentiated curricula for gifted and talented students are necessities for any school district which purports to serve the educational needs of all of its student population. During the 1980-81 school year, the Mt. Zion School District, Mt. Zion, Illinois, conducted a thorough investigation and began a total revision of its district-wide gifted program. Using a systems analysis approach to problem solving, a selected committee of administrators and professional staff conducted a needs assessment in order to determine the actual value of its existing program. Concluding that the existing program did not meet the needs of its gifted/talented youth, several alternatives were considered which, when implemented, would result in an articulated, sequential program in all subject areas. The total revision is expected to occur over a several year period, concentrating on one academic area each year. The first phase of the program development occurred in the reading/language arts area. Included in the paper is the total procedural development of the elementary reading/language arts program. Specifically, this development included teacher recruitment and training, determination of objectives, activities, and evaluation procedures, the screening and identification of students, and actual curriculum development. Appendixes include identification instruments and sample curricula. Procedures for both formative and summative evaluations are also established.

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