For Parents

Planning for Students Who are Gifted - Individual Program Plans

All children who are coded "80" (gifted) fall under Special Needs Education and are entitled to an Individualized Program Plan (IPP). The Standards for Special Needs Education are developed to meet the educational ability, level and learning needs of special needs students including gifted.

Specific learning needs and outcomes are monitored through the use of an IPP so that the student is provided the differentiated instruction required to achieve their potential. Differentiating instruction involves the modification of five (5) elements which enhance thinking and learning:

• content
• process
• products
• environment (peers and technology)
• assessment (pre-testing for knowledge and ability)

Program planning is not adding more work or adding depth and breadth. It is also not limited to enrichment of content and cirriculum. Truly differentiated learning is providing the above 5 elements to the degree that only gifted learners would benefit from the modifications.

Transition planning between divisions or to post-secondary programs are also important components of IPP's Parents are encouraged to keep a Portfolio of particular items of work that depict the students accomplishments from grades K-12. The IPP should be part of that portfolio. Click here to view “Planning for Students Who are Gifted" (PDF)