The Mill Valley School District views the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as the new framework for doing in-class differentiation. (We assume the Kentfield and Reed districts, with which MVSD is collaborating to roll out CCSS, feel the same.)

The NAGC has come out with guidelines on how to differentiate within CCSS. We encourage all GATE parents to become familiar with these suggested best practices, to seek them out, and to promote their use within our schools. Here’s a summary from Gifted Child Today:

Differentiating the Common Core State Standards. Gifted Child Today, April 2013, Vol. 36, Issue 2

“The NAGC has published two books that describe ways of differentiating the Common Core State Standards in math and English/language arts with gifted and advanced learners (Johnsen & Sheffield, 2013; VanTassel-Baska, 2013). Some of the strategies that are elaborated in the books include the following:

1. Using pre-assessments in determining which students require more accelerated pacing.
2. Instructional examples and tasks should show greater complexity and creativity using a more advanced curriculum base and by using enrichment techniques that address student needs and school demographics.
3. Create interdisciplinary product demands to elevate learning for gifted students and to efficiently address multiple standards at once.
4. Create differentiated assessments to demonstrate gifted student authentic learning.

Within the English/language arts book (VanTassel-Baska, 2013), the author stresses the importance of pre-assessment to tailor learning experiences; creative production such as encouraging the development of advanced writing skills; focusing on concepts, issues, and themes to encourage interdisciplinary thinking; and instructional pacing that is based on a student’s rate of learning. Within the math book, Johnsen and Sheffield (2013) recommend the addition of a ninth Standards for Mathematical Practice that focuses on mathematical creativity and innovation: “Solve problems in novel ways and pose new mathematical questions of interest to investigate” (p. 16). This standard requires that teachers provide problem-finding activities that stimulate mathematical and spatial reasoning.

Although the Common Core State Standards are strong, they need to be differentiated to accommodate the needs of most gifted learners. It is important for educators to be mindful of ways that they might accelerate and enrich the standards.”