1.  How did my child qualify for ALPS?

NVUSD screens all 3rd graders (and those students new to NVUSD in 4th and 5th grade) for advanced learner services through a screener called CogAT.  The CogAT is a cognitive abilities screening test that helps us to identify students who could qualify for advanced programming.  We use this screener to identify students who qualify to then take the complete CogAT assessment.  Students who meet the scoring criteria will then qualify for ALPS (Advanced Learner Programs and Services) in NVUSD.

2. What services/activities can I expect my child to experience in the ALPS program?

The following are examples of how we meet the needs of advanced learners throughout the school day.  Our goal is to keep students engaged and excited about their learning in their classrooms, with enrichment and differentiated learning opportunities provided by the teacher. Learning Opportunities for students who qualify for ALPS may include:

• Acceleration and enrichment in the classroom: Students are given opportunities throughout the day to go deeper into grade-level content, extend learning to follow their own passions and interests, participate in individual and group projects, work on higher-level thinking activities and tasks, work on alternative assignments when content is mastered, and more.

"Renzulli Learning  Website: Renzulli Learning is an interactive online system that provides students with a personalized learning environment, allowing teachers to easily differentiate instruction to increase engagement and achieve higher academic performance. Renzulli Learning has resources that promote and enable ALL students to pursue their interests, providing equity, innovation and creativity for grades Pre-K through 12. Students are empowered by doing creative, imaginative projects that provide rigorous learning outcomes. The Renzulli Profiler quickly identifies student strengths, interests, learning and expression styles and then matches each student with thousands of personalized engaging Enrichment Activities. Renzulli Learning features robust student grouping which supports our revolutionary strength-based Project Based Learning (PBL) system." (Renzulli.com) 

• Some sites also offer lunchtime, after-school classes, or other opportunities for students. 

1.  How did my child qualify for ALPS?

NVUSD screens all 3rd graders (and those students new to NVUSD in 4th and 5th grade) for advanced learner services through a screener called CogAT.  The CogAT is a cognitive abilities screening test that helps us to identify students who could qualify for advanced programming.  We use this screener to identify students who qualify to then take the complete CogAT assessment.  Students who meet the scoring criteria will then qualify for ALPS (Advanced Learner Programs and Services) in NVUSD.

2. What services/activities can I expect my child to experience in the ALPS program?

The following are examples of how we meet the needs of advanced learners throughout the school day.  Our goal is to keep students engaged and excited about their learning in their classrooms, with enrichment and differentiated learning opportunities provided by the teacher. Learning Opportunities for students who qualify for ALPS may include:

• Acceleration and enrichment in the classroom: Students are given opportunities throughout the day to go deeper into grade-level content, extend learning to follow their own passions and interests, participate in individual and group projects, work on higher-level thinking activities and tasks, work on alternative assignments when content is mastered, and more.

"Renzulli Learning  Website: Renzulli Learning is an interactive online system that provides students with a personalized learning environment, allowing teachers to easily differentiate instruction to increase engagement and achieve higher academic performance. Renzulli Learning has resources that promote and enable ALL students to pursue their interests, providing equity, innovation and creativity for grades Pre-K through 12. Students are empowered by doing creative, imaginative projects that provide rigorous learning outcomes. The Renzulli Profiler quickly identifies student strengths, interests, learning and expression styles and then matches each student with thousands of personalized engaging Enrichment Activities. Renzulli Learning features robust student grouping which supports our revolutionary strength-based Project Based Learning (PBL) system." (Renzulli.com) 

• Some sites also offer lunchtime, after-school classes, or other opportunities for students.