Chariho Regional School District
K-4 Highly Capable Program
Introduction:
Highly capable students are often able to perform at remarkably elevated levels. However, for some highly capable students, there is lack of alignment between school performance and ability. All of these students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative, and/or academic areas. The needs of many highly capable students can be met in the regular classroom. Yet, a differentiated program of instruction that occurs out of the regular classroom is required to meet the unique needs of some of these highly capable students, along with a differentiated classroom program. The curriculum will be compacted in at least one of the core content classes to allow for differentiation. It is the goal of the Chariho K-8 Highly Capable Program to challenge all highly capable students to perform at high levels.
Out-of-Classroom and In-Classroom Differentiation:
The Chariho K-4 Highly Capable Program provides two distinct avenues of out-of-the classroom differentiated instruction. At the kindergarten through six grade levels, students engage in individual or group, research-based learning, with a focus on inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving. Students must commit to rigorous and long-term guided research that aligns with their grade level curriculum. Students will be able to choose a topic of high interest to them and delve deeper, becoming an expert on that topic. At the seventh and eighth grade levels, students may enroll in a Virtual High School (VHS) online course or participate in a group-based, curriculum-embedded research project. VHS courses offer challenging content generally encountered at the high school level. VHS courses may be utilized by selected students to enrich and extend the curriculum.
At the middle level, promotion points may be earned through in-school online learning; points will count toward the total required for promotion. Online learning may allow for acceleration in the regular program. Prior to the first in-school online class session, students must indicate in writing whether or not they wish to receive a numerical grade or a “pass/fail” grade; no subsequent changes will be allowed. Failure to notify the site administrator will result in the issuance of a “pass/fail” grade.
Student Selection:
Student selection will be through a well-defined and standardized process. Students will have the regular curriculum compacted to facilitate participation. At all grade levels, the Chariho K-8 Highly Capable Program seeks to identify students who:
- Have high intellectual, academic and creative thinking capability,
- Require out-of-the-classroom differentiated instruction,
- Need an intellectual peer group for inspired learning.
Students will be selected for the Chariho K-8 Highly Capable Program based upon the following criteria:
- Parent referral,
- Teacher referral,
- Academic performance,
- State and standardized assessment performance,
- Student essay and interest,
- Need for an out-of-the-classroom differentiated program.
Instructional Sessions:
Two sessions per year shall be available at the elementary level, to start one week after the start of the trimester and end one week before the end of the semester. For the fall session, selection shall commence during the prior school year. Two sessions per year shall be available at the middle level, to follow the semester schedule. For the first semester, selection shall commence during the prior school year and students will begin no later than the 3rd week of school. Students will participate in one session per year, unless enrollment allows for additional participation. For both the elementary and secondary level beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, selection for the spring session will commence in the fall.
Instructional time and number of days per week shall be determined at the building level, with the schedule to consist of no less than two sessions per week consisting of the daily time allotted to the normal instructional block for the core content areas.
Reporting Progress:
The library media specialist will communicate progress towards research project completion and quality at least twice a session via email or written notification. Students will be required to showcase their work to an audience using a variety of presentation formats.
Reporting for Chariho Middle School Virtual High School:
The library media specialist coordinates Virtual High School. Reporting of progress occurs through VHS and it’s virtual on demand reporting system including task progress and grading. The library media specialist posts those grades on PowerSchool. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s progress through Virtual High School.
Satisfaction Survey:
At the conclusion of each session the library media specialist, will survey all students and parents. Data trends will be reported to the Assistant Superintendent each June.
Click here to download the Parent Referral Form
Click here to download the Highly-Capable Program Description and All Forms
Please contact the principal of your child's school if you have any questions.
Mr. Jeffrey Scanapieco
Ashaway School 377-2211
Mrs. Jennifer Poore
Charlestown School 364-7716
Mr. Giuseppe Gencarelli
Hope Valley School 539-2321
Mrs. Sharon Martin
Richmond School 539-2441