Advanced Learners are those students who fall into the categories of high achieving, gifted or talented. The CCSD21 Advanced Learner Committee (previously Gifted & Talented Task Force) is currently reviewing and updating the programming for students.

Overview of Advanced Learner Committee Work

In alignment with the CCSD21 Strategic Plan, the district partnered with Consortium for Educational Change (CEC) to examine and propose recommendations for updating our program offerings for our high achiever, gifted and talented students. Over the course of the 2021-2022 school year, a committee of parents and staff met to develop a 3-5 year plan. The plan is intended to be a high level overview of the committee work thus far. The Advanced Learner Committee also has a more detailed working document laying out the plan that we will continue to revise as we meet. 

2023-2024 Advanced Learner Plan Changes

For the 2023-2024 school year, based on the recommendations of the committee, the following programming and support will be implemented for 2023-2024 .  

District Wide

• 5 day a week Advanced Language Arts class cluster is implemented at the elementary level.
• Talented Club opportunities begin at the elementary and middle school level.
• Talented Exposure opportunities for 5th and 6th graders begin as the initial talented programming is rolled out.
• Specific Gifted Identification process is being researched and discussed this school year for future implementation.

2022-2023 Advanced Learner Plan Changes

 For the 2022-2023 school year, based on the recommendations of the committee, the following programming and support will be implemented for 2022-2023 .  

District Wide

• The position of Instructional Specialist for Advanced Learners was created. A position was posted and filled to support all the buildings in D21. 

• What was formerly the PSI class will now be shifted to content enrichment or acceleration in language arts (enrichment) and math (acceleration) for 4th and 5th grade. 
• Creation of an Advanced Language Arts class cluster at the elementary and middle school level.
• Creation of an Accelerated 5th Grade Math Class
• Additional professional development opportunities will be provided to staff to support the needs of these students.

High Achiever Programming

The advanced and accelerated programs are designed to provide opportunities for students who have demonstrated that they are prepared for more rigorous coursework that includes additional content, more complex challenges, and a faster pace. Data is carefully reviewed to match students data profile with the program that best suits their needs

Elementary Language Arts and Math

Elementary 

Though students are differentiated in all of their classes, the specific High Achiever programming is made available to identified students in reading and math. 

Teacher delivered specific differentiated reading instruction begins with 3rd grade book clubs. Younger students (K-2) may be involved in book clubs as well, depending on the differentiation needs of the class. Identified 4th and 5th grade students will be pulled daily for an hour of  literacy instruction by the Information Literacy Enrichment Teacher. This class is designed to enrich and extend students with higher level texts and more rigorous expectations for thoughtful participation as they meet grade level expectations at a pace similar to that in the regular classroom setting.

Accelerated math programming begins in 5th grade. Identified students will be bussed daily to their feeder group’s middle school for math instruction from the Math Enrichment Teacher. Students in the accelerated math class will complete a compacted 5th grade Everyday Math with instruction targeted to be completed roughly mid-year  Students will then be using a new math curriculum entitled Desmos 6th grade for the remainder of the year. 

Language Arts Instructional Plan (4th/5th grade):

Advanced Class Cluster:

•  Students in the class  will be reading at a higher text level and, be provided additional reading and  writing content, The pace of curriculum matches that of core classes. This cluster will be pulled during Guided Reading time. The cluster will meet daily for one hour. 

Math Instructional Plan (5th grade)

• Students in the accelerated math class will complete a compacted 5th grade Everyday Math with instruction targeted to be completed roughly mid-year  Students will then be using a new math curriculum entitled Desmos 6th grade for the remainder of the year. 

Important Elementary Links

• Parent FAQ Elementary 
• Protocols and Processes for Advanced Learner Placement
• Advanced Learner Elementary Course Placement Appeal Form
• Questions?- Complete this form.

Middle School Communications and Math

Middle School Language Arts Courses

	Accelerated Pace	Higher Text Complexity	Additional Reading & Writing Content
Accelerated Language Arts	◊	◊	◊
Advanced Language Arts Class		◊	◊
Advanced Language Arts Cluster ( small group in core LA class)		◊	◊

• Accelerated Classes/Cluster: Accelerated pace, higher text level, additional reading & writing content. Depending on the numbers of students eligible, this will be taught either as a separate class or as a small differentiated group in the regular classroom.
• Advanced Class: Higher text level, additional reading & writing content, pace of curriculum matches that of core classes

Middle School Math Courses

Curricular structure 

• • Single Accelerated Class
  • Double Accelerated Class

Click this link for the course sequence.

Important Middle School  Links

• Middle School Course Content Descriptions
• Parent FAQ Middle School 
• Protocols and Processes for Advanced Learner Placement
• Advanced/Accelerated Class Appeal Form
• Questions?- Complete this form.
  

  Talented Programming (New for 23-24)

  In order to provide all students the opportunity to show their talents, we have begun implementing “exposure” activities so that all students will have the opportunity to build their skills in the areas of art, coding, engineering, and photography by the time they graduate from D21 schools. 

  Elementary Exposure Opportunities

   For 5th grade this year, students will have the opportunity to delve into both 3-D art and coding. They will learn about coding and develop their skills through opportunities in STEM class. Students will also be able to explore and create 3-D art in art class. These exposure activities will be built upon  through new middle school opportunities that will be rolled out for the 2024-2025 school year.

  Elementary Club Opportunities

  Students will have the opportunity to join many district-sponsored clubs next year. Every elementary school will offer the following for students to participate in:

  • STEM club
  • Engineering Club
  • Robotics Club

  Through these clubs students will have the opportunity to develop talents and skills in STEM.

  Middle School Exposure Opportunities

  Students in 6th grade will take a mini-unit on photography through art class next year. This exposure activity will be built upon through new middle school opportunities that will be rolled out for the 2024-2025 school year.

  Middle School Club Opportunities

  Students will have the opportunity to join many district-sponsored clubs next year. Every Middle  school will offer the following for students to participate in:

  • Engineering Club
  • Robotics Club

  Through these clubs students will have the opportunity to develop talents and skills in STEM.

EARLY ENTRANCE REQUESTS

CCSD21 follows Illinois law which specifies that, to enter kindergarten or first grade, children must be five years of age by September 1st of their kindergarten year or six years of age by September 1st of their first grade year. However, CCSD21 has an acceleration policy that addresses exceptions for children whose potential and skills are in the very superior range when compared with their peers. Please view more information here.