Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- What is LEAP [Learning Enrichment Academic Program?
- Who is served by LEAP?
- How will my child qualify?
- How is testing done?
- When and how is the decision about placement made?
- How long does all this take?
- If recommended, when will my child be served?
- How would my child be served in the elementary program?
- What do they do in the LEAP class?
- Is there anything done for an identified child in the regular classroom?
- How would my child be served in the secondary program?
- Is there a Testing Schedule at Old Settlers?
What is LEAP [Learning Enrichment Academic Program?
LEAP is a program for the potentially gifted and talented
student in the area of general intellectual ability.
Who is served by LEAP?
There are many kinds of giftedness but the LEAP program only
identifies and serves children demonstrating giftedness revealed
by learning-potential tests, achievement tests, and observed
characteristics
How will my child qualify?
6 of the 8 indicators collected on the student must fall at the
96th percentile or above on objective, standardized tests
designed to measure learning potential and achievement and on
subjective measures (observation).
How is testing done?
Elementary: If you give permission to test, your child will be
pulled out of the regular classroom at times set by the teacher
and the LEAP facilitator(see bottom of this FAQ for OSE Testing
schedule). It will take a total of approximately 4-6 hours to
complete all of the tests. Testing will not be conducted all at
one time and will be carried out in no more than 45 minute
segments-even shorter for the lower grades.
Secondary: Testing may be conducted at the students school.
Testing is also periodically scheduled at a central site for
interested students. Contact the office of Advanced Academic
Programs for those dates.
When and how is the decision about placement made?
After the tests are complete, the facilitator will compile a
data sheet profile). She will then send the information through
a district screening committee for placement or non-placement
recommendation based on the criteria explained above.
How long does all this take?
The facilitator on each campus is also a full-time teacher.
Testing is secondary to the teacher's classroom
responsibilities. After the facilitator has received the
completed referral information, it will take several
weeks to do the testing. Then the student data must go through
a district screening committee that meets 5 times per yr.
If recommended, when will my child be served?
You will receive a letter informing you of the committee
decision. Then you will receive a permission to serve form and
a parent handbook. As soon as the permission to serve form is
returned, your child will be scheduled to come to LEAP classes
with other students from their grade level.
How would my child be served in the elementary program?
The elementary LEAP program is a pullout program in the
Lewisville school district. This means your child will be
pulled out of their classroom at a scheduled time each week. Students
will be pulled from one to five hours per week, depending on
their grade level. Students are not missing new concept
instruction in the regular classroom.
What do they do in the LEAP class?
LEAP is a thinking skills program. It is not an acceleration
program. The students have lessons and activities that are
designed to nurture and build the potential they have
demonstrated. The four major goals of the LEAP program are:
1. To be aware of the students own unique potential and
learning style in order to develop abilities for the betterment
of self and society;
2. To utilize higher level thinking skills that develop
intellectual curiosity and critical, creative, and productive
thinking;
3. To understand and apply the problem-solving process in a
cooperative group setting through analysis and evaluation of
real-
life situations; and,
4. To develop advanced reference skills for using multiple
concepts and resources in synthesizing an elaborate product.
Is there anything done for an identified child in the regular classroom?
The LEAP program provides materials, cluster teacher training,
and information for the regular classroom teachers to assist
them in providing a differentiated curriculum. It is each classroom
teachers responsibility to meet the individual academic needs of
the g/t child in his/her classroom.
How would my child be served in the secondary program?
Middle School: All identified LEAP students, grades 6 � 8, will
be enrolled in a self-contained homogeneously grouped LEAP class
per grade level. This class will be identified as LEAP. The
class period may not be scheduled for a time less than any other
core curricular class. The student does not miss any other
class while in the LEAP class. Pre-AP courses are available to meet
the needs of the g/t students in all core areas.
High School: Identified students will be served at all grade
levels. 9th grade students take World Studies I (World
Geography and English); 10th graders take World Studies II (World History
and English); 11th graders take United States Studies (US History and English); 12th graders are
enrolled in British Studies. The 9th and 10th grade classes are
pre-AP courses and the 11th and 12th grade classes are AP courses. This provides students the opportunity to prepare for
and earn college credit through the Advanced Placement exams.
(See the campus course description guide for complete
description.)
Is there a Testing Schedule at Old Settlers?
Yes, the testing schedule for referrals will be posted after I've had a chance to review master schedules at the district level:
1st 6 weeks- 2nd, 4th, 5th grades (referrals accepted 8/22- 9/6)
2nd 6 weeks-1st,3rd grades(9/6-Oct.3)
3rd 6 weeks-2nd 4th,5th (Oct.11-Nov.7)
4th 6 weeks-1st, 2nd (referral window)
5th 6 weeks-3rd, 4th (referral window)
6th 6 weeks-1st,2nd,5th (referral window)
Kinder LEAP class lessons will be ongoing this year so that all students are able to experience enrichment lessons. I will be observing and collecting data for LEAP candidates to test next fall, 2012, when they are first graders.