Transcript Chandler Unified School District

Chandler Unified School District
CATS Program
Chandler
Academically
Talented
Students
History of the Program
Self-Contained Gifted Services in
Chandler began in 1976 for 3-6
grade students.
 Junior High CATS began in 2003
with the goal of addressing the
specific needs of gifted junior high
school students.
Junior High School CATS







Extension of CATS program with the
junior high school atmosphere
Accelerated and in-depth studies
Interaction with intellectual peers
Academically challenging/rigorous
Gifted endorsed teachers
Opportunities for independent studies in
areas of interest and level of
advancement
Experience meaningful involvement in
real problems
CATS Program Guiding Principles
1 Support mastery of accelerated core
content incorporating depth and
complexity
2 Develop an understanding of the
interrelationships among the disciplines
3 Develop inquiry skills
4 Develop critical and creative thinking,
problem solving, and decision making
skills
5 Develop proficiency in communicating
abstract and complex ideas,
relationships, and issues
Curriculum

Accelerated Grade Level Objectives
7th Grade:




9th Grade (Year 1) Math
Gifted Language Arts 7 (8th grade level)
Gifted Science
Gifted Social Studies
8th Grade:
10th Grade (Year 2) Math
 Gifted Language Arts 8
 Gifted Science
 Gifted Social Studies
Curriculum

Two-Year Curriculum


Integration


Same teacher provides continuity
from one grade level to the next
Provides an interrelated study of the
disciplines
Accelerated

Provides appropriate placement and
pace
Differentiating Between CATS and Honors
The Honor Student:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Is attentive
Works hard
Answers the questions
In “top” group
Learns with ease
Needs 6-8 repetitions for
mastery
Completes assignments
Absorbs information
Learns techniques
Is a good memorizer
The CATS Student:
• Asks questions
• Discusses in detail,
elaborates
• Shows strong feelings and
opinions
• Needs 1-2 repetitions for
mastery
• Constructs abstractions
• Draws inferences
• Initiates projects
• Is intense
•Thrives on complexity
Identification
 Honors
– District achievement test
 Math
 Language
 CATS
Arts
- Cognitive Abilities Test
 Verbal
 Quantitative
 Nonverbal
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
6th Grade Meeting Standards
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
6th Grade Exceeding Standards
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
7th Grade Meeting Standards
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
7th Grade Exceeding Standards
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
8th Grade Meeting Standards
2012 AIMS Results Comparison –
8th Grade Exceeding Standards
“I was very pleased with my son's experience in
the C.A.T.S. program. (The teachers) worked
diligently to ensure that he was consistently
challenged and equipped with the necessary
skills to help him succeed. ”
-Parent of an 7th grade CATS student
“I love that a class like this exists to initiate the
learning process with kids at a higher academic
level where they can feed off each other and
propel one another forward. What a great groups
of kids!”
Parent of a 7th grade CATS student
“The CATS program is an outstanding program
which has prepared my daughter for the
rigors of Honors and AP programs she will be
facing at Hamilton HS. The teachers are
dedicated to their students and relentless in
their pursuit of excellence. Thank you to all
the staff. My hat is off to you and your
professionalism. ”
-Parent of an 8th grade CATS student