The PCM team will use multiple sources of data to make a determination.
What does the highly capable program look for an elementary student at PCM? If a student is classified as highly capable this information remains confidential between relevant school staff and the family. We encourage this classification to not be shared with the student. Please refer to our Student and Family Handbook (page 16) to preview the type of dialogue PCM encourages within families around classifications of this sort. PCM offers the following to highly capable students and checks in on this progress in team meetings:
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Weekly Targeted Planning and Learning Time in which enhanced lessons and learning experiences are implemented to meet student’s needs, including incorporating the NAGC Gifted Program Standards.
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Accelerated learning opportunities in higher grade bands when available (although PMC does not promote grade skipping but rather deepening and strengthening of developmentally appropriate content).
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Academic grouping arrangements that provide intellectual peer and interest group interaction.
Appeal Process
PCM is dedicated to transparency and will clearly outline the why and the data behind a decision. That said, if you do not agree with the team's decision you can appeal the decision using this Appeal Process Form.
You can review our full Highly Capable Program Policy and Procedure to learn more and see what is used in the decision making process around placement determination.
For questions please contact Office@mypcm.org
HICAP
PCM classifies highly capable students as students who perform, or show potential for performing, at significantly advanced academic and social emotional levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Highly capable students exhibit outstanding abilities within their general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic and social-emotional abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain. PCM recognises that these students are present both in the general populace and within all protected classes and PCM is committed to helping to identify students who are often overlooked.
Some characteristics an highly capable student may possess include:
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Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
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Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than other peers;
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Capacity for increasing levels of social-emotional regulation and navigation compared to peers of a similar age;
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Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
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Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
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Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.
PCM accepts referrals based on data or evidence from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Persons referring a student for consideration for admission into the program will use this PCM HiCap Referral Form."