Acceleration, Gifted & Talented Education Overview
Philosophy
District 115’s Gifted & Talented Resource Department is committed to providing educational opportunities that meet the diverse academic, intellectual, and social-emotional needs of gifted, talented, and high-ability learners.
We recognize acceleration as a research-based best practice for gifted education. Acceleration provides students with learning experiences that match their readiness, motivation, and level of understanding. It can take many forms, including subject acceleration, curriculum compacting, and advanced coursework.
Our goal is not simply to help students move faster, but to ensure they are consistently engaged in learning that is appropriately challenging, meaningful, and responsive to their individual strengths and needs.
Instructional Goals
- Provide access to appropriate curriculum through enrichment and/or acceleration
- Inspire lifelong learning that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence
- Support the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of the accelerated learner
- Educate and support the professional learning of staff and community
Illinois and District 115 Policy
- "Accelerated placement" means the placement of a child in an educational setting with a curriculum that is usually reserved for children who are older or in higher grades than the child. Accelerated placement is not limited to those children who have been identified as gifted and talented, but rather is open to all children who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement. 105 ILCS 5.
- District 115 Board of Education Policy 6:135
Department Staff
630-553-4544
Ashley Badger
Gifted/Accelerated &
Extended Learning
Opportunities Coordinator
Director of Camp Imagination
Ext.5307
abadger@y115.org
Sarah Marker
Gifted Resource Teacher
smarker@y115.org
Megan Stemmet
Gifted Resource Teacher
mstemmet@y115.org
Michelle Curran
Gifted Resource Teacher
mcurran@y115.org