An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is a legal document outlining areas of strength and goals for identified Gifted students. An ALP shall be developed for every gifted student according to the student’s determined area(s) of giftedness, interests, and instructional and affective (emotional and social aspects of a gifted individual's development) needs. The ALP is created once a student is formally identified as gifted.
The student's ALP serves as a tool to communicate a student's strengths and goals to teachers, counselors, GT Facilitators, and anyone else with a legitimate academic interest in the student. An initial ALP is developed within 30 school days of a student being identified for Gifted and Talented programming. Following the initial ALP an updated plan is developed for each school year by September 30th and completed by the last day of the school year.
It is important for all stakeholders to remember that in LPS the ALP is intended to be a living document, meaning that it can be updated or adjusted at any time during the year based on individual student need.
ALPs look slightly different in Elementary (grades K-5) and Secondary (grades 6-12). Also it is important to note that the process varies slightly from school to school depending on the building GT Facilitator and Leadership’s plan to best serve their students.
ALP Goal Setting Process: August - September 30th
ELEMENTARY
At the elementary level ALP development is a collaborative effort between GT Facilitators, students, parents, and classroom teachers. GT Facilitators begin by guiding students through the ALP process by helping them consider goals that meet both their academic and affective (the emotional and social aspects of a gifted individual's development) needs. Affective need goals are often based on a school’s PBIS program, the LPS Portrait of a Graduate, or the NAGC Program Standards.
Students are encouraged to write their own SMART goals. GT Facilitators support students with standards based language for academic goals and/or guided choices of pre-written goals that support building based academic and/or Social Emotional Programming.
SECONDARY
Students take ownership of their ALPs in middle school and high school. They are invited to participate in the creation of their ALP but not required to do so.
GT Facilitators host meetings for GT students to review options for selecting pre-written goals and/or receive coaching on writing their own SMART goals.
Parent Communication and Collaboration: October
ELEMENTARY
GT Facilitators connect with parents at Parent/Teacher conferences (in collaboration with classroom teachers or in individually scheduled meetings) to review the ALP and solicit feedback on student goals and needs.
SECONDARY
ALPs are sent home (via US mail, with students, or via email if parents have granted permission to send plans electronically) for parents to review. All parents are encouraged to reach out to their GT Facilitator for questions, suggestions, or revisions of the ALP.
Progress Monitoring: October - May
ELEMENTARY
SECONDARY
End of Year Monitoring and Close Out
ELEMENTARY
SECONDARY