Gifted and Talented Program Goals
Gifted students need to experience success at a level reflecting their abilities, as well as opportunities and encouragement to perceive and attain their potential for excellence. Recognizing that these needs require special programs, the Massillon Board of Education has adopted the following goals and objectives:
To provide an advanced educational program that is flexible, diverse, comprehensive, and appropriate to enable the student to develop his/her abilities to the fullest potential.
To provide each student with opportunities to explore ideas and issues at his/her own pace and level.
To develop the skills of critical thinking, creative and productive thinking, research, problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership.
To promote self-motivation, self-direction, independence, task commitment, and responsibility in learning and project activities.
To utilize the larger community by permitting each student to use community resources, select and pursue topics of interest, and demonstrate expertise at a level beyond his/her chronological age.
To provide an educational program that will enhance the emotional and psychological well-being of each student.
To help each student develop into an intellectually and creatively capable, productive, and compassionate member of society.
To develop an understanding of the importance of diligence and perseverance for the achievement of a productive life.
To help each child gain a realistic and healthy concept of himself/herself - strengths, weaknesses, and potentials.
To strengthen each student's group dynamic skills by fostering cooperation, leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving.
To develop the research and organizational abilities of each student to enable him/her to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
To refine skills in utilizing and resources efficiently and effectively.
To provide opportunities and encouragement for the development of study skills.
To provide a positive atmosphere for the development of self-motivation.
To provide enrichment opportunities for all students.
To provide materials for exploration at a variety of cognitive levels.
To expose students to Type II and III activities through bridging lessons and experiences.
To use enrichment experiences as springboards for more in-depth investigations for students who exhibit interest.