Mission
The Mission of Windsor Public School's Challenge Program is to provide a broad range of enrichment experiences, resources and services to develop the talent potentials of all students to the highest level possible. For students with advanced abilities and interests, the Challenge Program provides additional opportunities for hands-on learning and first hand investigations that require students to apply their knowledge, strengths and interests to solving complex problems. This mission is based on the belief that schools are places for talent development (Renzulli, 1994) and that all educators have a stake in providing students with the resources and experiences necessary to maximize their strengths and prepare them to become responsible, productive citizens.

Program Description

The Challenge Program is a multifaceted enrichment program for grades 1-8 in Windsor Connecticut's Public Schools. The program is based on "The Schoolwide Enrichment Model" by Drs. Renzulli and Reis. At the high school level, students may participate in Seminar classes.

The goal of the program is to capitalize on student strengths and potential by providing a variety of specialized learning situations that will help develop academic talent.

The main components of Challenge are: small group resource room classes for high ability students identified annually through our math and language arts screening; exploratory activities, known as Type I's; skill training activities, known as Type II's; and independent investigations real world problems with a real world audience, otherwise known as Type III's.

Another aspect of the program involves support provided by the enrichment specialists to other teachers, counselors and administration including resources and training with materials and strategies for highly able children.

Each school has its own full time enrichment specialist who implements the program in keeping with the philosophy and school revitalization model for that building. In all schools the program includes a continuum of services for students to help develop their academic talents.

Conception of Giftedness

Windsor Public Schools uses Renzulli's "Three Ring Conception of Giftedness." This describes giftedness as the interaction between three things, "Above Average Ability, Task Commitment and Creativity as brought to bear upon any Specific Performance Area." It occurs "in certain people, at certain times, under certain circumstances." (Renzulli) It is fluid and does not occur in all areas at all times.

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