Spectrum is a grades 1-8 District-supported program that serves the needs of students who are academically gifted. The program provides a rigorous, accelerated curriculum that challenges students to apply complex thinking skills when working with core skills and concepts. The reading and mathematics curricula are presented at an accelerated learning pace, focus on grade level expectations (GLEs) that are above students' assigned grade levels in reading and mathematics, and emphasize an advanced level of complexity and depth.

The program is guided by four core principles:

1. Provide a rigorous curriculum.
2. Provide an accelerated curriculum that focuses on student proficiency in grade level expectations at grade level and one grade level beyond or more in reading and mathematics
3. Cluster district-identified students to form classroom rosters. District-identified students are students found eligible for the program through the District's testing process. Teacher-identified students are nominated by their teachers as having the skill readiness and motivation to participation in the Spectrum curriculum. Typically, teacher-identified students are selected for participation based on WASL, ITBS, and/or DRA (Direct Reading Assessment) scores as well as performance indicated on curriculum-based assessments. In those classes attended by district-identified and teacher-identified students, curriculum presented is the Spectrum curriculum (i.e., a curriculum that is accelerated and rigorous to reflect the learning needs of students who are academically gifted). As needed, teachers differentiate to meet the learning needs of students in the classroom to ensure all students are gaining academic skills.
4. Provide instruction by teachers familiar with the needs of students who are academically gifted.

Whom does the program serve?
The Spectrum program serves students who are academically gifted. Students who are academically gifted present different learning styles, learning pace, and curricular needs that require daily and systematic modification to a general education curriculum and classroom experience to achieve educational benefit.

Spectrum Young Scholars
Students tested during grades K and 1
Students served Grades 1 and 2
Cognitive ability threshold of the 90th percentile in two out of three areas (i.e., verbal, nonverbal, quantitative) is considered along with teacher input.

Spectrum
Students tested during grades 2 through 7
Students served grades 3 - 8
Cognitive ability (in two out of three areas) and academic achievement in both reading and mathematics with a threshold of the 87th percentile are considered along with teacher input.

Updated 09/08/2009

Program Sites

See Forms for information about applying for testing for Spectrum.