Extended Learning Program (ELP)
The Ames Community School District provides curriculum for talented and gifted students as an integral part of the K-12 experience that is differentiated in process, pace, depth, organization and expected outcomes.
ELP Philosophy
- Comprehensive services for the gifted and talented should be an integral part of the K-12 experience.
- Curriculum for talented and gifted students should be differentiated in process, pace, depth, organization and expected outcomes.
- High ability students have social and emotional needs specific to their talents which require affective education and accommodation.
- Students should have structured opportunities to interact with peers of similar abilities and interests.
- Identification of talented and gifted youth should include multiple, flexible and inclusive procedures and criteria. Identification should reflect an awareness of cultural and economic diversity.
- Optimal programming for talented and gifted students should include a variety of educational options such as classroom enrichment, pullouts, clustering, independent study, mentorships, advanced classes, out of school programs and acceleration.
About Elementary ELP
Elementary ELP and classroom teachers work collaboratively to:
- Identify individual student needs
- Differentiate curriculum
- Provide challenging experiences in the classroom
- Provide assistance to teachers and students
- Offer whole class Stretch Think activities to uncover creativity and demonstrate unique skills
Extracurricular Activities
A number of extracurricular activities are available that may be of interest to students in ELP. The activities build on classroom skills outside of school with some having competition opportunities.
To learn what activities are available at your elementary school, reach out to your building office.
About AMS ELP
At AMS, we strive to meet the needs of all students. Part of that includes meeting the needs of our high ability learners. Acceleration options are one of the many ways we meet these needs. Acceleration is not a one time, one size fits all opportunity. There are multiple pathways and entry points into math acceleration, in order to make the paths as individualized as possible according to each student.
Acceleration Process
Identifying Student Needs:
-
Students are identified using standardized assessments.
-
Students new to ACSD wishing to be identified for ELP programming will need to fill out an ELP application.
-
Information about ELP Programming at Ames Middle School may be found on the AMS Extended Learning Program Google Website.
Providing Instruction:
-
Identified students will be served in quarterly cycles by an ELP staff member. These groups will meet during each grade level’s WIN period. At the end of the quarter cycle, students’ schedules will change. Students may return to the regular grade level WIN programming or they may be scheduled for another quarter cycle with a different ELP teacher. Scheduling frequency is based on student need.
-
Students who are not formally identified but have been recommended to ELP by staff or by a universal screening measure may be scheduled into a quarter cycle without formal identification, based on student need. ELP staff will inform parents/guardians of this schedule change and ELP application process in that situation.
Accelerated Math Handbook
The objective in accelerating students in the area of math is to provide students with the appropriate challenge that aids in producing an engaging instructional environment. Additionally, providing opportunities for students to access advanced mathematics courses, which have a research base to success in college (Adelman, 1999), best prepares students for success beyond high school.
Math Accelerated Handbook 2023-2024
Translated Handbooks: Spanish, Arabic , and Vietnamese.
Accelerated Course Pathways
Course Title: Compacted Math 6
Next Course Options:
- Compacted Math 7-8 (Default Next Course)
- 7th Grade Algebra (Qualifying Scores)
Course Title: Compacted Math 7-8
Next Course Options:
- 8th Grade Algebra (Default Next Course)
- 8th Grade Math (Collaborative decision with parents, teachers, administrators and student)
Course Title: Algebra
Next Course Options:
- Geometry
About AHS ELP
Personal acceleration involves moving a student through the traditional educational sequence more quickly. This may include such practices as differentiation in the classroom, grade level acceleration, acceleration in particular content area(s), concurrent enrollment in two grades, placement exams, dual enrollment in high school and college, or early entrance into college.
Decisions about the appropriateness of personal acceleration and the extent of acceleration for a given student will be made based on the Ames Community School District Acceleration Process.
The Accelerated Process application must be turned into ELP or AHS Student Services by stated deadlines. These deadlines apply to any student seeking:
- Acceleration in a content area (including “doubling up” requests), grade level acceleration, concurrent enrollment in two grades, and acceleration in different content areas.
- Placement exams – Students who believe they need more challenge within a content area. (For example, if a student wants to take Adv. Algebra 2, they must take a placement exam in Geometry, first.)
Deadlines for Application
February 28 for students entering grades 9, 10, 11, & 12. The February 28 deadline is to test out in August and is the deadline for any acceleration that impacts the first semester of the school year. Acceleration in a content area (including “doubling up,” e.g. requests to take Geometry and Adv. Algebra 2 at the same time), grade level acceleration, concurrent enrollment in two grades, and acceleration in different content areas.
September 15th – Winter test out.
Placement examination dates will be determined by the department. Students will be notified via email when dates and times have been set.
About Elementary ELP
Elementary ELP and classroom teachers work collaboratively to:
- Identify individual student needs
- Differentiate curriculum
- Provide challenging experiences in the classroom
- Provide assistance to teachers and students
- Offer whole class Stretch Think activities to uncover creativity and demonstrate unique skills
Extracurricular Activities
A number of extracurricular activities are available that may be of interest to students in ELP. The activities build on classroom skills outside of school with some having competition opportunities.
To learn what activities are available at your elementary school, reach out to your building office.
About AMS ELP
At AMS, we strive to meet the needs of all students. Part of that includes meeting the needs of our high ability learners. Acceleration options are one of the many ways we meet these needs. Acceleration is not a one time, one size fits all opportunity. There are multiple pathways and entry points into math acceleration, in order to make the paths as individualized as possible according to each student.
Acceleration Process
Identifying Student Needs:
-
Students are identified using standardized assessments.
-
Students new to ACSD wishing to be identified for ELP programming will need to fill out an ELP application.
-
Information about ELP Programming at Ames Middle School may be found on the AMS Extended Learning Program Google Website.
Providing Instruction:
-
Identified students will be served in quarterly cycles by an ELP staff member. These groups will meet during each grade level’s WIN period. At the end of the quarter cycle, students’ schedules will change. Students may return to the regular grade level WIN programming or they may be scheduled for another quarter cycle with a different ELP teacher. Scheduling frequency is based on student need.
-
Students who are not formally identified but have been recommended to ELP by staff or by a universal screening measure may be scheduled into a quarter cycle without formal identification, based on student need. ELP staff will inform parents/guardians of this schedule change and ELP application process in that situation.
Accelerated Math Handbook
The objective in accelerating students in the area of math is to provide students with the appropriate challenge that aids in producing an engaging instructional environment. Additionally, providing opportunities for students to access advanced mathematics courses, which have a research base to success in college (Adelman, 1999), best prepares students for success beyond high school.
Math Accelerated Handbook 2023-2024
Translated Handbooks: Spanish, Arabic , and Vietnamese.
Accelerated Course Pathways
Course Title: Compacted Math 6
Next Course Options:
- Compacted Math 7-8 (Default Next Course)
- 7th Grade Algebra (Qualifying Scores)
Course Title: Compacted Math 7-8
Next Course Options:
- 8th Grade Algebra (Default Next Course)
- 8th Grade Math (Collaborative decision with parents, teachers, administrators and student)
Course Title: Algebra
Next Course Options:
- Geometry
About AHS ELP
Personal acceleration involves moving a student through the traditional educational sequence more quickly. This may include such practices as differentiation in the classroom, grade level acceleration, acceleration in particular content area(s), concurrent enrollment in two grades, placement exams, dual enrollment in high school and college, or early entrance into college.
Decisions about the appropriateness of personal acceleration and the extent of acceleration for a given student will be made based on the Ames Community School District Acceleration Process.
The Accelerated Process application must be turned into ELP or AHS Student Services by stated deadlines. These deadlines apply to any student seeking:
- Acceleration in a content area (including “doubling up” requests), grade level acceleration, concurrent enrollment in two grades, and acceleration in different content areas.
- Placement exams – Students who believe they need more challenge within a content area. (For example, if a student wants to take Adv. Algebra 2, they must take a placement exam in Geometry, first.)
Deadlines for Application
February 28 for students entering grades 9, 10, 11, & 12. The February 28 deadline is to test out in August and is the deadline for any acceleration that impacts the first semester of the school year. Acceleration in a content area (including “doubling up,” e.g. requests to take Geometry and Adv. Algebra 2 at the same time), grade level acceleration, concurrent enrollment in two grades, and acceleration in different content areas.
September 15th – Winter test out.
Placement examination dates will be determined by the department. Students will be notified via email when dates and times have been set.