Cluster Grouping for Gifted Students

Front

What is the trend regarding programs for gifted students?

Back

There is an alarming trend to eliminate programs that benefit gifted students, often in favor of heterogeneous learning environments.

Front

What do Kulik and Kulik, Allan, and Feldhusen's work document?

Back

Their work documents the benefits of keeping gifted students together for at least part of the school day in their areas of academic strength.

Front

What is cluster grouping for gifted students?

Back

Cluster grouping involves placing a group of four to six identified gifted students in the classroom of one teacher trained to teach gifted students, with other students of mixed ability.

Front

How does cluster grouping differ from tracking?

Back

In tracking, all students are grouped by ability for much of the school day, while cluster grouping allows gifted students to learn together without permanent grouping for other ability levels.

Front

Why should gifted students be placed in a cluster group?

Back

It allows teachers to better meet the diverse learning needs of all students and prevents gifted students from having to 'make it on their own.'

Front

What are the special learning needs of gifted students?

Back

Gifted students need consistent opportunities to learn new material and develop behaviors to cope with challenges, as they often have already mastered many concepts.

Front

Can gifted students' needs be met in heterogeneous classes?

Back

In mixed-ability groups, gifted students often become bosses or tutors, which can hinder their learning and that of others. They benefit from working in their own groups on challenging tasks.

Front

Is it elitist to provide for the needs of gifted students?

Back

No, it is inequitable to prevent gifted students from receiving a challenging education. Cluster grouping helps provide better educational services for all students.

Front

What happens to leadership roles in non-cluster classes?

Back

New leadership 'rises to the top' in non-cluster classes, as other students take on leadership roles.

Front

Does cluster grouping negatively affect other students' achievement?

Back

No, when the cluster group is kept to a manageable size, there is general improvement in achievement for the entire class.