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
The Ames Middle School acceleration process is reliant on student academic assessment data to identify the appropriate level of math class for each student. Students entering 6th grade will take the locally developed compacted math placement test to determine eligibility for Compacted Math 6. Eligibility for students entering 7th or 8th grades will be determined based on a 2 step process. The first step is to evaluate the student’s score on the MAP assessment (Measure of Academic Progress). The second step is to evaluate the students performance on the ISASP assessment (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress). Students will be placed in the appropriate course based on their performance on these assessments. Prior to the start of the school year, families will have the opportunity to opt out of the recommended class if they feel their student is not ready for that level of academic rigor.
Utilizing sources of data that all students complete will allow for a more equitable and transparent way for all students to access accelerated courses.
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
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 2022-2023
Translated Handbooks:
Arabic: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
Chinese: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
Spanish: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
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 the ELP Alcove or AMS Student Services by stated deadlines. These deadlines apply to any student seeking:
- 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.
- 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
March 4 for students entering grades 9, 10, 11, & 12. The March 4 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
The Ames Middle School acceleration process is reliant on student academic assessment data to identify the appropriate level of math class for each student. Students entering 6th grade will take the locally developed compacted math placement test to determine eligibility for Compacted Math 6. Eligibility for students entering 7th or 8th grades will be determined based on a 2 step process. The first step is to evaluate the student’s score on the MAP assessment (Measure of Academic Progress). The second step is to evaluate the students performance on the ISASP assessment (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress). Students will be placed in the appropriate course based on their performance on these assessments. Prior to the start of the school year, families will have the opportunity to opt out of the recommended class if they feel their student is not ready for that level of academic rigor.
Utilizing sources of data that all students complete will allow for a more equitable and transparent way for all students to access accelerated courses.
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
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 2022-2023
Translated Handbooks:
Arabic: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
Chinese: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
Spanish: Math Accelerated Handbook 2022-2023
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 the ELP Alcove or AMS Student Services by stated deadlines. These deadlines apply to any student seeking:
- 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.
- 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
March 4 for students entering grades 9, 10, 11, & 12. The March 4 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.