JSD Extended Learning - Middle School
What EL Services Are Available in Middle School?
There are either one or two (depending upon the demand) honors sections of both math and English at each grade level at Floyd Dryden (where most Riverbend EL students attend after finishing elementary school). DZ considers and accommodates the needs of EL students in their program as well. Transitional counseling services are available for EL students transitioning into high school.
Why Participate in Middle School EL?
The honors English and math classes are more interesting and challenging than the regular classes. In addition, students who take honors math throughout middle school study algebra in eighth grade. Students who officially qualify for Extended Learning are guaranteed a seat in the honors class.
Who is Eligible?
According to the 2007-2013 JSD EL Plan once students have been formally qualified as gifted, they qualify for Extended Learning services all the way through high school. If a student has documented strengths in only one domain, math for example, it is possible that they may not be guarenteed services in domains that are not identified as strengths, such as language arts in this example. At an annual meeting with the student, parents, middle school EL program facilitator, and the student's classroom teachers (when appropriate), the group will develop a Student Learning Plan and decide what program and/or curricular modifications would be most appropriate to meet the needs of that gifted learner.
How Do I Participate?
Qualified students will continue to receive services in middle school and high school without further testing.

For students not qualified for EL by the end of fifth grade, testing for EL is still available at both the middle school and high school levels. The criteria is the same as at the elementary level.
What Happens if I Don't Qualify?
At Floyd Dryden, ALL students are given placement tests at the beginning of the school year. Students who did not qualify for EL may be placed in either honors math or English if they do well on the placement tests ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS. Additionally, elementary EL teachers share with the middle school honors class teachers relevant information about students with whom we have worked.
Sheryl Hall Wittig ~ Page last updated on Friday, December 7, 2007.