Some students need additional challenges and accelerated courses of study to help them achieve their fullest potential. Mapleton Local School District meets the needs of gifted students in our district.
Ashland, OH: Mapleton Local Schools is committed to providing a quality educational experience for every student in our district. This often means providing individualized services for a student. For students who are identified as gifted, these services are designed with each individual student in mind to help that student reach his or her fullest potential. This is part of our commitment to Individual Emphasis and Expanding Opportunities.
Gifted Services at Mapleton
Our district currently offers gifted services for students beginning in 3rd grade and continuing through high school. Students who are identified with specific academic ability in math, reading, writing, science, or social studies receive services in that academic area, as long as the student is enrolled in that academic area class. Students identified as superior cognitive ability or creative thinking receive services in an identified area of strength for that student. In general, the district uses cluster grouping to provide gifted services. This means that students are grouped together for daily instruction within their regular classroom. Teachers who provide these services have received training in working with gifted students. While the focus of the student work is based on grade level standards, students who are receiving gifted services may move at a faster pace, experience more depth or complexity of the material, or other opportunities that are designed to extend thinking beyond the grade level material. Participation in gifted clusters for gifted students is automatic unless a parent submits written notice declining these services.
In addition to gifted clusters, Mapleton Local Schools provides opportunities for students to receive gifted services through participation in College Credit Plus courses, International Baccalaureate programming, and through course acceleration. Course acceleration most often happens in the area of mathematics. On the rare occasion, a student may be considered for grade acceleration at the request of the parent. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis and approval of grade acceleration is dependent on the outcome of a separate evaluation process.
Testing for Gifted Identification
The Ohio Department of Education requires school districts to administer whole-grade testing for the purpose of gifted identification. Whole-grade testing occurs in 2nd grade and 6th grade using the Iowa and CoGAT Assessments. These tests are automatically administered to all students unless the parent requests in writing that their child should be excluded from testing.
If you have questions about gifted programming at Mapleton, please contact your building principal. More information about gifted education programming can be found on our website.
The YMCA of Ashland, Ohio proudly sponsors our Education section, championing community learning, growth and the success of Ashland County's youth.
