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Talent Development Model

Program Description

We recognize that talents are dynamic and are represented across all demographics.  As a result, identification for services needs to occur over time, with multiple opportunities to exhibit strengths and readiness for advanced instruction.

Our continuum of Talent Development services in District 31 is shown in the image below. We provide opportunities at each grade level for enrichment and advanced learning. The services include classroom-based differentiation, Talent Development lessons (K-3), and more intensive interventions. This range of services allows the district to directly support students through the
This range of services allows the district to directly support students through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process.

A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a framework for systematic and continuous improvement using evidence-based practices and data-based problem solving to support needs-driven decision-making, which leads to improved academic performance for all students. The goal of the 
West Northfield MTSS framework is to provide appropriate interventions for all students who need support beyond the regular classroom environment.

Our support system is divided into three tiers: Universal, Targeted, and Intensive. Starting with the Universal tier, in which all students participate, we employ a system of interventions by analyzing data to identify students as needed. The graphic below provides an overview of the ideal tiered-structure system.

Tier 1: Universal Access to Talent Development
100% Student Participation 

Tier 2: Targeted Enrichment Intervention
5-15% Student Participation based on identified needs

Tier 3: Intensive Enrichment Intervention
1-5% Student Participation based on identified needs

District 31’s Talent Development model aims to provide opportunities that cultivate emerging strengths and potential in various domains. Intentionally planned talent development lessons from a systematized curriculum support the development of high-level thinking skills in students of all abilities.  Our Talent Development Coach partners with teachers to develop and observe potential and to support high-quality, rigorous instruction. This Talent Development model provides equitable access to advanced learning experiences for all D31 students.

What does Talent Development look like in Kindergarten through 3rd grade?

  • All students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade participate in whole-class biweekly lessons (25-30 minutes) with the Talent Development Coach while the classroom teacher engages in “talent spotting.”
  • Students who demonstrate a need beyond whole-group instruction may receive more targeted skill instruction in small groups during MIE (Mastery, Intervention, Enrichment) time, led by the classroom teacher.
  • We will leverage the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) curriculum, which focuses on developing the 4 C’s: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. 
  • Coaching partnerships with all classroom teachers (K-8) support further instructional planning around best practices for supporting students’ gifts and talents, based on  National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) standards.

What is meant by enrichment?

Enrichment engages students in learning content from current grade-level standards, while also delving deeper into the grade-level curriculum to promote critical thinking. Emphasis is on moving through the curriculum horizontally, which means, for example, a student might read a text at a higher level, while applying the same reading strategy as their classmates.For an example in ELA, click here. For an example in math, click here.

For more detailed information about the District 31 Talent Development program, please click here for our Talent Development overview presentation.