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Board of Directors (HSCIN) Hoover High School Investigation Archive
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Dr. Barbara Mayer coordinates the Enrichment Program offered to Hoover City Schools elementary-aged children in grades 3 through 5. Dr. Mayer provided the following explanation of Hoover City Schools' Enrichment Program:
"What is Enrichment?
Enrichment in Hoover City Schools is one dimension of the basic program offered to all students. The most fundamental belief of the Hoover City Schools is that each student has unique gifts and talents. The goal of enrichment is to discover and to develop those gifts and to encourage students’ self-directed learning. The enrichment program consists of all enrichment activities that occur in the classroom, the resource room and throughout the school at all levels. At the elementary schools where there is an enrichment teacher, the program is not limited to activities that the enrichment teacher initiates or facilitates. The enrichment teacher’s role is primarily: (1) to provide services for students identified for Talent Pool (pull-out) service; (2) to collaborate with general classroom teachers to enable them to provide enrichment opportunities for all students, and (3) to facilitate independent study opportunities for students. Students in grades 3 – 5 who have exceptional skills and talents in academic and/or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment are identified to receive additional opportunities through Talent Pool. Since Talent Pool services begin at third grade, the enrichment teacher assists second grade teachers with State-required screening procedures designed to identify potential candidates and collaborates with teachers in kindergarten through second grade to meet the needs of students. Students identified for Talent Pool display high levels of: (1) task commitment and/or motivation; (2) creative or productive thinking; and/or (3) above average abilities. When a student is recognized as having exceptional ability, this necessitates involvement in experiences not ordinarily provided in the regular classroom. Therefore, the focus of Talent Pool is on concept-based content, not curriculum-based content (i.e., not separate math or reading classes).
How is a child referred for Enrichment Services?
Teachers, parents, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities may nominate a student in grades 3 – 5 for Talent Pool (pull-out) services in the enrichment program. The teacher of the student completes an Enrichment/Gifted Screening Nomination Form. For each student referred, information is gathered in the following areas: (1) aptitude; (2) characteristics; and (3) performance. Information such as grades, evidence of out-of-level work, achievement test scores, aptitude scores, product/work samples, evidence of any outstanding skills or abilities, evidence of creativity, and any other relevant information are considered by a team composed of at least three people. Two members of the team must be a regular classroom teacher and a gifted/enrichment teacher. The third member can be an additional staff member, such as an administrator, other general education teacher, special education teacher, art, music, and/or physical education teacher. The team reviews the nomination form and determines whether the student satisfies the criteria for enrichment services."
Enrichment at the Elementary level is offered to grades 3 through 5 and consists of school personnel identifying a "Talent Pool". Students that are part of the Talent Pool gather in Enrichment once a week for 2 hours.
Hoover City Schools currently does not offer pull-out/traditional Enrichment opportunities at the Middle School level. Check your child's school's individual page for highlights of Enrichment-type opportunities offered at each school.
The Enrichment Program is based on Joseph Renzulli's Schoolwide Enrichment Model. Click here to read more information from Dr. Barbara Mayer.
Gifted Education and the No Child Left Behind Act
Please note that Hoover City Schools does not use the term "gifted" nor do they test for "giftedness". They operate under the premise that the enrichment program offered is sufficient to address gifted children's needs.
Many believe that NCLB only applies to students struggling to attain proficiency. That is not completely true. Below are documents and presentations outlining how Gifted Education and NCLB are connected.
Gifted Education and the No Child Left Behind Act: In Leaving No Child Behind, Will the Gifted be Held Back? From the GAGC Conference, March 2004. PowerPoint presentation (click here for the PDF). Posted 11/25/06.
Does the No Child Left Behind Act Do Anything for Gifted Children? From the National Association for Gifted Children. 2003. Posted 11/25/06.
