Philosophy
West Des Moines Community School District provides services to gifted & talented students through the Extended Learning Department. The district is committed to recognizing the needs and talents of the individual student, regardless of race, gender or economic status. Providing programming opportunities and materials for students who demonstrate potential for superior performance in intellectual and academic pursuits is an integral part of this commitment.

Gifted and talented students need an appropriately differentiated curriculum which allows them to make choices concerning the content, process and products of their learning. These options may differ from the regular curriculum in breadth, depth, tempo, pace or in kind of experience offered.

Parent Involvement
Parents are asked to share their expertise and are welcome to participate in class activities and field trips. Letters and class newsletters help keep them informed.

Defining Extended Learning
The Extended Learning classes are guided by the Autonomous Learner Model, developed by Dr. George T. Betts and Jolene Knapp. Students are guided through the six strands according to their strengths, needs and interests. These strands are:

• individual development
• thinking strategies
• creativity
• research
• communication
• reaching out into the community

The ultimate goal is to help students develop the skills necessary for independent, lifelong learning.

Student Identification
The Extended Learning staff will participate in Child Study Teams to identify students with needs in the following areas: intellectual, specific academic, creative, leadership and visual/performing arts. Some of the criteria used by the Child Study Teams are:

• Cognitive Abilities Test
  • Verbal Score
  • Quantitative Score
  • Nonverbal Score
• Child Study Team input
• Self Nomination
• Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Gr. 3-7)
• Iowa Tests of Educational Development (Gr. 9-12)
  • Reading Score
  • Math Score
  
  

A small percent of the students at each grade level are invited to participate in a pullout program based upon their need. Some students are targeted for enrichment opportunities

Students Pulled Out of Class
Grades 4-6: Students meet for two to two and a half hours per week in their own buildings with an Extended Learning teacher.

Grades 7-8: Extended Learning classes meet every other day opposite P.E. Grades are assigned.

Grades 9-12: Extended Learning classes meet every other day and are offered to fit students’ schedules. One-half credit per semester is earned and grades are assigned.

Special Services for Grades K-3
Enrichment activities are provided for all students in grades K-3. The Extended Learning teacher in each building works closely with the classroom teachers to target and challenge students with unmet needs. Lessons are provided for the whole class, as well as small group and some individualized lessons for targeted students.

The curriculum in grade K-3 is based on the Kingore Observation Inventory, developed by Dr. Bertie Kingore. The KOI helps teachers to recognize behaviors in the following areas: advanced language, analytical thinking, meaning motivated, perspective, sense of humor, sensitivity and accelerated learning.