Continuum of Services

Colin Powell Elementary offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students that builds upon students' individual strengths and skills and maximizes academic potential for all learners. In addition to providing Level I, II, III and Young Scholars Services, we have a Local Level IV program in grades 3-6. To learn more about the levels of service and the county-wide Advanced Academic Programs, please read below.

Level I, Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6

The first level is provided to all students in kindergarten through grade six and consists of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills. The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may also practice these strategies during family conversations and activities.

Level II, Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6

The Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART) collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the Program of Studies (POS). Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. The Young Scholars Model begins at this level and is designed to find and nurture advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations.

Level III, Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

Students identified by a local school screening committee for Level III part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.

Level IV, Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8

Students found eligible for placement in full-time Level IV Advanced Academic Programs through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. Screening for this level of service occurs in the fall for students who are new to FCPS and in the spring for all other students. The referral deadlines for the 2018-2019 school year have not yet been determined. Additional information is available in the Parent Information Packet published on the FCPS website.

Colin Powell  ES Local Level IV program - How the Local Level IV differs from the Level IV Center

The Colin Powell ES Local Level IV program provides an important option for advanced learners who need the challenge of a full-time AAP center curriculum and do not want to leave their local school.

The Level IV Center for Colin Powell ES is located at Greenbriar West ES.

Teachers in both settings are trained in gifted education and teach the same advanced academic curriculum to students who are ready for a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas.

The main difference is in the make-up of the class. All of the students in full-time, center-based classes at Greenbriar West have been identified as center-eligible by a central selection committee and will be coming from several neighborhood schools to comprise the center class. In a Local Level IV classroom at Colin Powell ES, the students are a mix of students who are center-eligible and high achieving students who are capable of working at advanced levels, all enrolled in the local school. 

Screening

Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. The local school committee determines student eligibility for part-time school-based services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP Level IV placement.

Testing 

During the first week of December 2020, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) may be administered to certain students in grades 2-6 who do not have an ability test score on file. In April 2021 (tentative), the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) will be administered to all FCPS Grade 1 students. A second grade screening pool is established based on scores from FCPS-administered ability tests given. Students in the second grade pool are automatically screened for full-time AAP Level IV placement.

Referrals for Full-Time AAP Level IV 

Parents or guardians of students not in the second grade screening pool may initiate the full-time AAP Level IV screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form and optional materials due to Mrs. Bach, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), by the December 1, 2020 deadline (date to be determined). No late referrals will be accepted. Second grade students not in the pool and all students in grades 3-7 are screened only by referral. Forms are available on the FCPS website and in the Parent Information Packet available at the local school.

Parents or guardians of students who are in the second grade pool will be notified by the school. The screening pool will be announced on November 1, 2020. Students who are not in the second grade pool will not receive notification.