What is a Personalized Education Plan (PEP)?
Students identified at the highest level of service, Extended Studies, require a Personalized Educational Plan (PEP) to best meet their needs. These students are generally strong in all academic areas and require a differentiated curriculum to progress academically.
How does the PEP work?
Documentation of students at the most extensive level of service identified as “general intellectually gifted” in the Extended Learning Program is provided through a PEP, or Personalized Education Plan. Updated yearly, this form includes preferred learning styles, a needs assessment, a review of services offered and selected and yearly goals and plans for students both socially and academically. There is documentation to show the parent, classroom teacher and ELP teacher have reviewed the PEP and its contents. The parent, ELP teacher, and student signs the PEP to indicate that he/she is aware of the availability of differentiation, the level of student participation, and that an evaluation of student performance has been completed. A copy is kept on file in the ELP room.
How is the PEP developed?
Previous documentation and current input from teachers, parents, and students are used to develop the PEP. Parents and students are either asked in person at conferences or given a form to provide input about strength and areas to develop. The ELP teacher, in conjunction with the classroom teacher, details the recommended modifications and types of services provided. Each student’s plan is different, although some students may have the same or similar modifications for certain subjects. To increase efficiency when possible, students are clustered with several other students with similar needs.
What kind of supplementary documentation is provided?
The classroom teacher, who is in charge of the subject modifications (i.e., the language arts teacher), is responsible for documenting the curricular modifications provided and an evaluation of the student’s performance. Theses updates are done at least three times a year. Some subjects are offered at upper grade levels, beginning with math in 7th grade. Course descriptions are available for upper level classes. These classes, such as Algebra or Advanced Science, are not further documented since the teacher provides regular feedback as part of the class.