Linking Schools of Thought to Schools of Practice

Abstract

Project Linking Learning (“Link”) was created to target the needs of gifted students in urban school districts with historically underserved populations. Project Linking Learning implemented a linking curriculum between in-class instruction and an afterschool enrichment program for selected students in second through fifth grade. Designed by Dr. Sandra Kaplan as a collaborative endeavor between the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education, and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), this scale-up grant (Jacob J. Javits Grant #5206A090045) targeted elementary schools in diverse, urban neighborhoods with consistently low rates of gifted referral, identification, and program implementation. Intensive training and support was provided to Link teachers to allow them to effectively roll out this novel curriculum, including foundational training on differentiated instruction (e.g., prompts of depth and complexity, research skills, thinking skills, learning centers, independent study, etc.), as well as information on the characteristics of gifted learners and able underachievers from diverse backgrounds. Schools participating in Project Linking Learning experienced a significant increase in the rate of gifted identification over a four-year period of time. Key program concepts and alignment to educational schools of thought are described, as well as takeaways and recommendations for district adaptation and implementation.