The Gifted Child

2008 February 12 by: Scott

How Teachers Can Work with Learner Outcomes

It is important that teachers see learner outcomes as central to their work in the classroom; that they capture the heart of what students need to learn. For this insight to occur, teachers must have the opportunity to engage in the curriculum alignment process. One approach is for teachers to develop activities that underlie each desired learner outcome. These activities can be developed by teams and discussed with other educators at appropriate times. Another approach to alignment is to develop sub outcomes that will lead to satisfactory performance at the end of the academic year. Again, teacher teams are the best way to accomplish this task, which involves a careful analysis of the learner outcome. A third approach to curriculum alignment is to link outcomes to existing classroom materials. Teachers can review basal texts for lessons that support the desired outcome and then explore supplemental resources that contribute directly to student learning.

Suggestions for Creating Appropriate Learner Outcomes for Gifted Students

Create a curriculum review committee that includes representatives of numerous subject areas, grade levels, and a broad cross section of school personnel interested in curriculum.

The committee should examine state and local learner outcomes by subject area and across K-12 levels. (Vertical planning is essential to the success of this group.)

Examine current state or local learner outcomes, using the stated criteria for judging whether they are challenging for gifted learners at the appropriate stage of development.

Discuss findings with the committee. Have each member justify the decisions made regarding the changes in the learner outcomes for gifted students.

Study the gifted program goals/curriculum goals; align with subject area outcomes.

Create additional learner outcomes for gifted students as needed.

Develop assessment protocols for the differentiated learner outcomes.

Align the differentiated learner outcomes for gifted students with existing classroom activities and materials; develop new activities and curriculum for the gifted.
Arrange staff development or training sessions for all teachers on gifted learner outcomes.

Develop and plan an on-going staff development program that assists teachers in facilitating the attainment of the specified learner outcomes.