District previews fourth-grade gifted program rollout, surveys show positive student response

The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 gifted committee updated the board on a phased rollout of a fourth-grade home-based gifted program and initial evaluation data showing strong student and parent feedback.

Dr. Fujewski, speaking to the board, said the fourth-grade phase blends inquiry, project-based learning and social-emotional development and that teachers and teacher-librarians are providing regular feedback through classroom visits and end-of-unit surveys. Staff said students rated their experience highly on the survey and that parents similarly praised the layered curriculum and small-group environment.

Staff described classroom work including a student project inspired by Rube Goldberg that was used as an example slide in the presentation. The committee reported using formal and informal assessments, teacher and parent surveys and student input at the end of units to evaluate pacing, resources and social-emotional outcomes.

The district paused changes to eligibility criteria while it evaluates the new program, the presenter said; staff said revisiting eligibility is important to ensure the process identifies twice-exceptional students and English learners who may show gifted traits.

Next steps laid out to the board include continued evaluation of the fourth-grade structure, completion of a fifth-grade curriculum by the end of the school year, professional learning for staff who will deliver the fifth-grade model and renewed work on middle-school scheduling and programing for gifted services.