Summer Opportunities for Challenge Students
Maryland Summer Centers -- The Maryland State Department of Education recently announced the schedule of upcoming Maryland Summer Centers for students entering grades 5 through 12. The MD Summer Centers program offers unique instructional experiences to gifted and talented students that are not available during the regular school year. Centers are located throughout the state and offer one- to three- week residential and non-residential programs with a focus on the arts, sciences, mathematics, technology, creative writing, Chinese language and culture, engineering, law and government, physics, and history. Tuition ranges from $100 to $700, and financial assistance is available. Brochures are available from Mrs. Hash or can be found online at www.marylandpublicschools.org/summercenters. The deadline for applications for most centers is April 15, 2008.

University of Delaware New Arc Academy -- The University of Delaware is pleased to announce the New Arc Academy Summer 08 program for students of outstanding ability in grades 4 through 7 (New Arc Academy I) and grades 7 and 8 (New Arc Academy II). Programs are one- or two- weeks non-residential and focus on robotics, human biological sciences, and webpage design. Tuition is $325 to $590, and a limited amount of financial assistance is available. Brochures are available from Mrs. Hash or can be found online at www.udel.edu/oet/naa. Enrollment typically closes in early April.

Cecil College Youth Educational Services -- Kids in "Kollege" is a four-week summer camp for children ages 7 to 12. The program offers a variety of classes in the areas of art, crafts, sports, science and computers. The Young People's Theatre Program offers process-focused theatre experiences for children ages 2 to 18. The Summer Scholars program offers a series of summer institutes for students ages 13-18. There are over fifty non-credit courses as part of the YES program. Please find more information online at:
http://cecil.edu/programs/special-programs/youth-education/youth-program.asp
or you may contact Tina Durborow at 410-392-3366 ext. 628 or tdurborow@cecil.edu.

How does the grouping of the Challenge population affect their performance?

Research tells us that grouping gifted students together helps them learn better!  The structure that provides optimum learning for all students is cluster grouping within heterogeneously grouped classrooms. At EMS, we have small groups of approximately 6-8 gifted students “clustered” together within a given class of mixed ability levels.  Teachers of these cluster classes make appropriate modifications to their curriculum for the gifted students, and the Challenge kids are more likely to take advantage of differentiated opportunities when they know they will have company while working on their projects.  The cluster class teacher needs to know how to compact the curriculum and how to provide enriched, accelerated, and independent study options for gifted students.  Cecil County has provided staff development to help teachers with these strategies.

Vision of the Challenge Program at EMS

The vision of the Challenge program in Cecil County is to nurture the uniqueness of gifted and talented students, enabling them to become creative producers and collaborative problem solvers.  Services for identified students are provided within the regular classroom as much as possible, with limited pull-outs, determined by need.

Students are identified for the Challenge program services using multiple criteria, including the following:

1. recommendations by parents, teachers, and other persons with knowledge of a student’s abilities

2. standardized test scores

3. report card grades

4. portfolios of original products

The most appropriate placement for each student is determined by a Challenge Placement Committee of teachers, administrators, and counselors familiar with the student.  At EMS, “clustering” the high ability students in each academic subject area is a way we are trying to respond to the needs of the gifted population.

Services are offered primarily in classrooms using differentiated instruction.  The Challenge Resource teacher, Amy Hash, acts as a consultant and collaborator, helping classroom teachers plan units and lessons that will challenge all students appropriately through differentiation of the curricula.  Particular attention is paid to extending the depth and complexity of the learning outcomes in developing and adapting units and lessons.

As an advocate for meeting the academic and affective needs of gifted and talented students, Mrs. Hash coordinates and monitors the services provided for each student in the Challenge program by meeting and communicating with students, teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and parents.