High Ability Learners

Papillion La Vista Community Schools recognizes the uniqueness of each student and strives to meet the individual educational needs of all students. The High Ability Learning (HAL) Program provides and supports students with outstanding gifts and talents.

PURPOSE

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Identify students who demonstrate potential abilities of high performance in recognized areas of giftedness.
2. Provide a continuum of educational services that meet the needs of all HAL students.
3. Provide professional development opportunities for staff in order to promote a better understanding of the needs of HAL students and the services available to meet those needs.
4. Communicate the various aspects of the HAL program to staff, students and the community.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the HAL program.

PHILOSOPHY

The mission of the High Ability Learner Program is to recognize, support, and respect the exceptional intellectual, academic, and social-emotional needs of high ability learners. We are therefore committed to providing rigorous, differentiated opportunities that intellectually and personally empower students for a changing world.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF HIGH ABILITY LEARNER

Students identified as high ability learners in Papillion La Vista Community Schools are those students who exhibit above average abilities, have commitment to initiated tasks, and possess problem-solving and creative abilities. These traits must be exhibited to the degree they can be identified through the use of multiple criteria selection instruments. {003.018}

HAL PROGRAM BELIEF STATEMENTS:

• We believe that equity in education exists when all students are provided learning experiences matched to their abilities, needs, and interests.
• We believe that exceptional gifts and talents can be in the areas of academics, the arts, kinesthetic abilities, leadership, interpersonal skills, creativity, and problem solving.
• We believe that exceptional gifts and talents can be found in all cultures and in special needs students.
• We are a part of Papillion La Vista Community Schools and will work in harmony with the district's mission statement and beliefs.
• We believe that gifted education enhances educational opportunities provided in all classrooms to all student
• We believe that gifted education is a right, not a privilege, for every identified student in Papillion La Vista Community Schools

1. All students in 4^th – 8^th grade are screened for HAL services using the MAP assessment in the fall and winter; 3^rd grade students are screened beginning in the spring.
2. Students who meet targeted percentile are then further assessed using the InView (Cognitive Skills Index Score-CSI).
3. A point system, utilizing the percentile rank and CSI, is used to determine entry into the HAL Program. 
4. Students must receive a minimum of 9 points for identification.  

• 94 – 1 point
• 95-97 - 2 points
• 98-99 - 3 points

• 120-124 – 6 points
• 125-129 – 7 Points
• 130-134 – 8 Points
• 135-141+ – 9 Points

• Parents are notified of testing prior to the InView for permission for testing.
• Parents are notified of qualification status following the InView testing and must give permission for placement.
• Military dependent students who move into the district from a previous HAL program automatically qualify for HAL services.
• Students with disabilities may qualify for HAL services utilizing the data from academic scores gleaned from the IEP/MDT process.

Services offered in grades 3-6 may include:

• Curriculum differentiation by the classroom teacher in identified areas of the curriculum, including flex grouping
• Student Choice Seminars
• HAL Facilitator services: Lessons about affective issues, critical thinking, and problem solving, co­ teaching in the regular classroom
• Academic Competitions: Math Competition and other competitions as available
• HAL enrichment clubs : Schools are allocated three clubs which could include Science Olympiad, Math Olympiad, Robotics, Word Masters, OSHE Music Club, Knowledge Master, Circle of Friends, STEM, and Art Exploration.

• Field Studies: Career-based experiences within a particular topic. Topics are based on the Nebraska Career Clusters. Field study opportunities are selected based on student interest. The Middle School HAL facilitator meets with students in small groups to explore career-based interests to form their own personal research project to demonstrate evidence of learning. Throughout the year, students have opportunities based on their identified career interests. These opportunities may include field trips, guest speakers, competitions, workshops, and collaboration with peers. 
• Competitions and enrichment clubs: Math Olympiads, Engineering, Robotics, Geography Bee, National History Day, Musical Ensembles, and others
• Elective Courses
• Curriculum differentiation: Classroom teacher provides opportunities to work on core curricular related projects in collaboration with the HAL Facilitator in identified strength areas.

• Curriculum differentiated by the classroom teacher in identified area of the curriculum
• Recommendations for honors and AP courses
• Elective courses
• Internships
• Focus groups/peer group meetings
• Extracurricular competitions
• College planning
• Academies
• Dual Enrollment Classes