The programs available to gifted students follow New Mexico Department of Education Standards for Excellence. The framework provides for a continuum of services. A student’s need for placement in any given program may change over time.  In identifying the appropriate setting for the gifted student, consideration must be give to:

   1.Individual needs.
   2.Least restrictive environment (keep in mind LRE for gifted students will be different than disabled student.
   3.Present levels of performance.

CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO BE MAINTAINED IN DISTRICT SCHOOLS

The continuum of educational services maintained in elementary and secondary sites by the Superintendent consists
of the following:

   A.General education services with itinerant services:

     The student/teacher ratio will not exceed 35:1 for a special education teacher ad 60:1 for a speech-language
pathologist for special education programs. Properly licensed professionals travel from class to class or school
to school providing services to students who are gifted whose IEPs require a minimal amount of special
education. Special education services will not exceed 10% of the school day/week.

   B.General education services with resource room assistance:

     The student/teacher ratio will not exceed 24:1 for special education teacher and 35:1 for a speech-language
pathologist for special education programs. Properly licensed professionals provide services to students who require
gifted whose IEPs require a moderate amount of special education. Special education services will be less than 50% of the school day.

   C.Special services with general education participation:

     The student/teacher ration will not exceed 15:1. Properly licensed professionals provide services to students
who are gifted and/or have a disability whose IEPs require an extensive amount of special education for aportion of the school day as appropriate to implement the students IEPs. Special education services will be provided 50% or
more of the school day.

   D.Full time special services:

      The student/teacher ratio will not exceed 8:1. A properly licensed professional provides services to students with disabilities whose gifted IEP’s require a maximum amount of special education. Special education services will be provided in an amount approaching a full day.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL
 
Special Education Services 
  Focus 
 Vehicle
Minimal services:
Provides support to general education classroom through consultant or pull-out program, not to exceed 10% of the day, with a .35 maximum caseload 		 Horizontal/vertical enrichment of the curriculum 
Special education teacher of gifted provides individual consultation, direct service and/or monitoring progress in 
general education. 
Moderate Services:
Provides direct service to gifted
student up to 49% of the day, with an 18-24 caseload 		 Horizontal/vertical enrichment/acceleration of the curriculum  Special education teacher of gifted provides direct instruction. 
Extensive services
Provides instruction as appropriate to students who: 
  • Are highly gifted (three standard deviations above the norm). 
  • Have factors (Quest Program: see p 13) 
  • Are twice exceptional (Venture Program, see p. 13) 
  • Need services 50% or more of the school day.
With a 12-15 caseload. 

Venture programs have a caseload of 7-8. 

   Horizontal/Vertical
enrichment/acceleration with 
concentration on academics and/or remediation as appropriate 		 Special education teacher of gifted provides instruction in self-contained classroom 

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL
 
Special Education Services 
 Focus 
Vehicle 
Minimal services:
provides direct service as necessary through consultant, monitoring or 
pull-out program not to exceed 10% of the day, with a 35 maximum caseload. 		 horizontal/vertical enrichment of the curriculum  Special education teacher of gifted provides individual consultation, direct instruction, and/or monitoring progress in general education.
Moderate service: 
provides direct service up to 49% of the day, with an 18-24 caseload 		 horizontal/vertical enrichment/acceleration of the curriculum  Special education teacher of gifted provides direct instruction
Extensive service: 
provides instruction as appropriate to students who: 
  • Are highly gifted
  • Have factors 
  • Are twice exceptional (Venture Program, see p.13) 
  • Need services 50% or more of the school day
with a 12-15 caseload 

Venture programs have a caseload of 7-8. 

 horizontal/vertical 
enrichment/acceleration with 
concentration of academics and/or remediation as appropriate		 Special education teacher of gifted provides instruction in self-contained classroom 

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
 
  • Special Education Services 
Focus 
Vehicle
Minimal services: 
provide direct service as necessary 
not to exceed 10% of the day, with 35 maximum caseload.		 horizontal/vertical enrichment of the 
curriculum 		 Monitors special 
education/internship experiences 
Moderate services: 
provides direct service up to 49% of 
the day, with an 18-24 caseload 		 horizontal/vertical enrichment 
acceleration of the curriculum 		 Special education teacher of the gifted provides direct services through classes such as independent study, contemporary  issues, communication skills, and Internship
Extensive services: 
provides direct services as appropriate for students 
  • Are highly gifted 
  • Are twice exceptional. 
  • Need services 50% or more of the school day 
with a 12-15 caseload 		 acceleration/remediation as appropriate  Special education teacher of the 
gifted provides direct services at on 
off school site ? additional classes may be taken at home school site 

  9-10-11-12

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