Report details achievements
of district’s gifted program
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
ENGLISHTOWN — An evaluation of the school district’s program for academically talented pupils was recently presented to the Board of Education.
"This evaluation is the result of the efforts of many dedicated individuals who worked on the academically talented evaluation, grades two through six," said Bruce Mitzak, supervisor. "These individuals spent many hours reviewing, organizing and editing."
In examining the program, the committee determined that administrators in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District made the correct decision when they selected an individual model over the "pull-out" model.
"Our students have been immersed in a program which attempts to stretch their abilities, both horizontally and vertically in all subjects," the report stated. "Students have the opportunity to work with their peers all day long, not just two or three hours a week as in the typical pull-out program."
Manalapan-Englishtown is one of the few districts which operates this type of model, Mitzak told the board."I feel it is most beneficial for the students and this is supported by the research," he said.
Nine teachers run the program throughout the year and, according to parents, the teachers have been identified as one of the "best" parts of the program.
Academically talented pupils should be doing difficult work, not just more work than their counterparts, Mitzak stated in the report.
The district offers pupils a wide range of differentiated programs which are either accelerated or enriched, the report stated.
There are three accelerated programs — math, reading and language arts. In all other subjects there are or have been opportunities for enrichment.
One such enrichment activity is the Junior Great Books program which is used at the primary level.
To ensure accuracy of student placement in the academically talented program a number of measures are used, including parent nomination, teacher recommendation and the Metropolitan Achievement Test.
Regarding student achievement, the report stated that data from the Metropolitan Achievement Test, the Elementary School Proficiency Assessment and the Eighth Grade Proficiency Assessment indicate there is conclusive evidence that the students in the program were, for the most part, accurately placed based on their performance data and that they are able to continue to function at exceptional levels.
The report also examined concerns about socialization and the need for increased contact with students who are not in the academically talented program.
This was accomplished during physical education, lunch periods, science, social studies and a variety of special event activities.
Additionally, the report noted other evaluations used in addition to the annual pupil review, and the development of a gifted and talented handbook, which includes program goals and requirements; identification procedures; placement and exit, or phase out, of students.
Several recommendations were made in the report to the board.
• The continuation of the program.
• Transportation issues be resolved. The cost of shuttle transportation is prohibitive and should not be supported.
• Classroom teacher should develop marking periods and semester calendars to make students aware of long-term assignments.
• Annual placement meetings should be held for new staff and for prospective parents with the supervisor.
• Grade one placement testing.
• Increase socialization at grade five and six to decrease or eliminate a sense of isolation.
• Review the program at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School to determine the possible implementation of self-contained academically talented classes and/or a new community curriculum focus.
Individuals who helped to prepare the evaluation were Karen Becker, Lisa Brodman, Barbara Kunz Chang, Elizabeth Cleesattel, Patricia Combs, Susan Faiman, Donna Formoso, Bernice Gewirtz, Joan Pasch, Ruth Jacobson, Phyllis Ostrega, Lenore Pearlman, Regina Resnick, Jeannette Ruggiano, Joanne Sawyer, Janet Soloshatz, Lois Schlissberg, Tom Sherman, Michele Stipelman, Eve Zucker-Strauss, Nimfa Szarka, James Tumbleson and Joann N. Damante, who typed and edited the evaluation.