A GIEP is a Gifted Individualized Education Plan; aka, an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). Although not required by most schools, they are a good tool for planning a GT student’s academic career and progress. It has long been recognized that gifted and talented students benefit from challenge. Although differentiated instruction is widely used, most students will require more than can be provided in the regular classroom. A Gifted Learning Plan can delineate student needs and propose ways to meet those needs. It can also hold students, teachers, and school districts accountable for insuring their needs are met appropriately and in a timely manner.
The stakeholders in a GIEP are the student, their parent/guardian, and the GIEP team. All have responsibilities to craft a document that will enhance learning opportunities for the student and to monitor progress toward achieving stated goals. The GIEP team should consist of a representative of the school who is authorized to speak for the school, teachers (gifted and regular classroom), school psychologists, and administrators responsible for implementing gifted education. As the focus of the GIEP, the student should be represented by a parent or guardian in the early years. As a student enters secondary education, they should be brought into the conversation and be a decision maker in the process.
Good planning and individualized attention contribute to a successful education plan. Using a template can be useful, but each student’s needs should be analyzed and addressed. This requires preliminary written report by the GIEP team. Before a GIEP is finalized, a student’s ability levels should be identified and documented, individual goals set, a menu of options decided upon, and suggested ways to monitor progress. It is important also to recognize what services are realistically available. It is impractical and does a disservice to the student to include programming options which the school is unable to provide.
GIEPs typically include Present Levels of Performance, Annual Goals, Short-term Learning Outcomes, Specifically Designed Instruction, Support Services, and dates for when services begin and their duration. Goals should strength-based, evidenced in present levels of performance, expected level of achievement for mastery of objectives, outline assessment procedures, and be specific. They may include specifically designed instruction, such as enrichment, acceleration, or independent study. It could also be mentoring and out-of-school activities. Twice-exceptional students may need supplemental aids and services.
State and national gifted organizations generally provide educators with resources for individual student plans on their website and at conferences. Online and local professional development can also provide resources for teachers considering using gifted IEPs for their GT students. Publishers specializing in gifted education also can be utilized. Please, also, check out the resources listed below which were shared during the chat.
Parents are an integral part of the GIEP process. In many cases, they are responsible for initiating the process, providing information on the student, knowing what options exist for gifted education, and attending meetings. In states which require a written education plan for GT students, parents also have legal rights regarding notifications, services offered, and compliance.
A transcript of this chat can be found at Wakelet.
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About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Resources:
Parent’s Unofficial Guide to Gifted IEPs and Gifted IEP Meetings | Hoagies Gifted
Frequently Asked Questions About Gifted Services (pdf)
FAQs About Your Child’s Right to Gifted Education (Pennsylvania)
Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) Meeting
Annotated Gifted Individualized Education Plan Sample (pdf)
A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Education (pdf)
Sample Gifted Individualized Education Plan (pdf)
The GIEP: A Strength Based Document
Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation (GMDE)/GIEP/NORA Tracking https://bit.ly/3pXRGEI
Special Spices: GIEP vs Gifted Programming (PP)
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP)
Grades 2-5 Advanced Learning Plan
Annual Learning Plan (ALP) (pdf Sample Completed Form for a Secondary Teacher)
Gifted Education 5 Year Comprehensive Program Plan (CPP)
L.E.A.P. (Gifted and Talented)
L.E.A.P.: Learning Environment for Advanced Programming
GT Services Advanced Academics | Waxahachie ISD (TX)
Advanced Academic Programs (WI)
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Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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