ES Gifted Support

Following a Universal Design for Learning approach, Gifted Support Services have long been inclusive in the Mt. Lebanon School District. We know that our students vary on so many levels- ability, interest, engagement, readiness, executive functioning, communication and collaboration skills, technology, and more. Because learner variability exists, we can plan it. Today's classrooms are elastic for all students to learn, and as we plan for learning we consider the needs of the broadest range of learners.

Teaching in today's classroom focuses on both what is taught and how. The primary focus is on finding many ways to teach the material to the many types of learners in a classroom. Teachers plan lessons to address a wide range of needs and strengths. There is no "typical" student. We know that all students benefit from multiple formats and accommodations in their learning. In today's classroom, teaching is flexible depending on the lesson and student needs. The teacher works with the student to decide how the student will learn the material. Our overarching goal is to develop purposeful, motivated, resourceful, goal oriented learners. Expert learners. To do so, instruction is intentional and purposefully planned to meet the needs of all levels of learners.

When designing a lesson or unit, Tiers of Enrichment are considered based on the learner's profile and demonstrated need:

Adapted from: The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, Carol Ann Tomlinson

A Gifted Individualized Education Plan (G.I.E.P) is developed for a student who qualifies for gifted support services and demonstrates a need for specially designed instruction as determined by the Gifted Multidisciplinary Team (G.M.D.T).

The G.I.E.P. is an academic, strengths-based document. Specially designed instruction is provided through a student's G.I.E.P. to accomodate advanced learning challenges in the student's outstanding strength area(s). Specially designed instruction requires the teacher to modify the content, process, and/or product for a gifted learner.

Regional: