Florida students who are identified by their district with a gifted EP or students whose teachers or parents think they are capable of working at an accelerated level, may be placed in the Florida Virtual School Full Time public program’s advanced or enriched courses. Students interested in this option should contact the school.
Gifted Evaluations
A student is eligible for special instructional programs for the gifted from kindergarten through grade 12, if the student meets the criteria under 1. or 2. below:
1. The student demonstrates:
a. The need for a special program; and
b. a majority of characteristics of gifted students according to a standard scale or checklist; and
c. superior intellectual development as measured by an intelligence quotient of two (2) standard deviations or more above the mean on an individually administered standardized test of intelligence; or
2. The student is a member of an underrepresented group and meets the criteria specified in an approved school district plan for increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in programs for gifted students. Underrepresented groups are defined in Rule 6A-6.03019, F.A.C. as students with limited English proficiency or students from low socio-economic status families.
Initial gifted evaluation referrals can be made by the teacher, parent, or student. If screening components are met, parental consent for evaluation is obtained and gifted evaluation is conducted by school psychologist. After evaluation is completed, the ESE team will hold an eligibility/ ineligibility determination meeting to review evaluation and other relevant data in order to determine if the student is eligible or ineligible for gifted education services.
Instructional Program Modifications and/or Adaptations for Gifted Students
FLVS FT provides instructional programs to our gifted students that allows for numerous opportunities to expand and challenge their learning. Our teachers are sensitive to the varying needs of gifted leaners, and our virtual environment fosters individualization and differentiated instruction to meet those unique needs.
We begin by having each gifted student complete the individualized placement process.
Following enrollment the learning coach and the teacher develop a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). The PLP ensures that gifted students are challenged through differentiated instruction, customized lessons, enrichment activities and a schedule that allows them to progress at a their pace and is aligned to the gifted student’s Educational Plan (EP) to ensure that the chosen curriculum options allows for the student to meet his/her goals and objectives as specified on their EP. Additionally, the personalized approach allows gifted students to be placed in curriculum levels beyond their grade level if appropriate.
The flexible nature of the gifted program allows families to set their own schedules and work through the curriculum at an individualized pace. The placement process conducted during enrollment provides students with opportunities for rapid acceleration, but once immersed in the curriculum, flexible pacing may also enable the student to slow down when appropriate for in-depth study.
For students in KG-2, who are identified as gifted learners, the students are given differentiated instruction within the general curriculum. These students receive consultation services from a specially selected gifted endorsed teacher. Students are monitored by the gifted consultation teacher who provides suggestions for the instructional program, when needed. These
consultation teachers are experienced in working with gifted learners and develop a rapport with the general education classroom teacher who implements the collaborated strategies that contain the modifications and adaptations. Being in second grade, students are able to participate in an enriched, above-grade level literature study as an elective.
All gifted, grades 3-8, identified students in FLVS FT public have the option in participating in our accelerated courses, which offer enriched and compact curriculum options in math,
language arts, and science. The teachers within that classroom have received intensive training on differential instruction through both the gifted endorsement process as well as additional area updates for teachers of the gifted. It is the expectation of the teacher that appropriate
modifications/adaptations will be made for any student who requires assistance. Our accelerated math courses condense content in grades 3 and 4, so that by grade 5 (and thereafter) students are working two years above their peers. Students enrolled in the
accelerated language arts course participate in Junior Great Books and engage in above grade-level literature study on a fixed schedule. Accelerated science courses provide students with opportunities to explore unit and grade-level content in depth through extended labs, project options, and lesson extensions.
FLVS FT also has honors and AP courses for students in grades 6-12. To enroll a student, who is gifted, in FLVS FT general education honors and AP courses would be the decision of the EP team. The student’s EP would indicate the student’s academic needs are currently being met through general education programs and the goals would specify the service (if one is needed) to be provided. Most typically, the service that is provided is consultation.
8 COMMUNITY EVENTS, TRIPS, AND ACTIVITIES
Students are required to follow all requirements set for Community Events, Trips, and Activities as detailed in the School Handbook (General Portion).