Overview Definition of Gifted & Talented Gifted Students in Alt. Schools Case Study The 5-D Process Summary of General Findings Identification Assessment Tools Web Resources Reflections Sourcebook (pdf) Differentiated Units

Case Study: One Student's Story The following is a case study of one of the fifty-four students involved in The Iowa Alternative Schools Project during the 2004-2005 school year. Because the variety of students involved in the project has been vast, it would be impossible to capture every student’s experience. However, this story serves as an example of the types of challenges and opportunities that students in this project have encountered. Like many students, "Todd" was nominated for the project based on his strong academic abilities. As a junior in an alternative high school in Iowa, Todd describes his entire educational experience, elementary through high school, as quite positive. Due to his high math scores on standardized tests, Todd became involved in gifted and talented programs in elementary school. He enjoyed these programs because he felt more challenged and because he was with students of similar ability levels. Through junior high and high school, he took advantage of course acceleration and honor courses and now says that he has had good teachers at each of the schools he attended. However, due to a single event at his previous high school when Todd got into a fight, he felt he was no longer welcome at school. Complicating the situation, a couple of Todd’s older siblings had been "kicked out" of the same high school. This only furthered Todd’s feeling of not being wanted, especially by the school’s administration. Looking to escape the negative reputation he felt preceded him, Todd decided to seek a fresh start at the alternative school in his town. Another component affecting Todd’s educational experience has been his home life. His parents separated when he was young and he has not been in touch with his father since before kindergarten. In addition, as much as he looks up to his siblings and receives positive encouragement from them, Todd mentions that one older sibling has a physical disability and another struggles with bipolar disorder. Dealing with such physical and psychological difficulties significantly contributes to the stress his family experiences at home. As Todd indicates, he has experienced a lot of drama in his family and has had to grow up quickly as a result. Currently, Todd enjoys the smaller environment and hands-on learning approach that his alternative high school provides. He feels that the school work is rather easy, but he says the same about the school work at his previous high school as well. He is now enrolled in an online AP Psychology course through the Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA) 1. Instead of returning to his previous school, Todd plans to graduate from his alternative high school one year from now. After graduation, Todd looks forward to continuing his education by attending college on the west coast where he plans to study graphic and computer design. Sharing Todd’s story is one way to provide a picture of the types of students involved in The Iowa Alternative Schools Project. Many have participated in talented programs during their education. Many have encountered more than their share of life difficulties. Many score well on standardized tests. All attend an alternative school in Iowa where teachers believe in their academic abilities and potential. Before The Iowa Alternative Schools Project, virtually no information about bright students in alternative schools was available. Students like Todd are helping to change this. March, 2005 1For students in Iowa who do not have access to AP coursework, the federally funded IOAPA program provides online AP classes at no cost to the students or schools. As a result of The Iowa Alternative Schools Project, Todd along with 4 others are the first alternative school students to participate in IOAPA since the academy’s inception 4 years ago.