CAAP

Program History

The Avon Grove Charter School began developing the CAAP program in the spring and summer of 2003 in direct response to the number of students gravitating to the school from gifted and talented programs throughout the region. The program grew under the guidance of Lisabeth Daniels, who served as CAAP Director through the spring of 2005. The program included an intensive concentration on Language Arts and Mathematics in the lower grades (K-5) with a broadened focus in the Middle School (6-8) which included specialized science offerings and a wide variety of challenging electives.

In the summer of 2005, AGCS found it effective to change the “departmentalized” structure of CAAP and concentrate on promoting a more sophisticated framework of differentiation at individual grade levels. CAAP teachers would now plan along with regular education, special education, and support staff in the various grade groups to provide greater overall methodological consistency. CAAP in the Middle School would be run by a team of experienced teachers in their specific areas of certification. This new structure would promote communication between staff, foster better group planning processes and facilitate informed goal setting across ability levels.

Program Structure

The CAAP program is designed to meet the needs of students who are achieving at upwards of two grade levels above their grade level peers. Placement in the CAAP program is determined through standardized testing (Terra-Nova, PSSA, and other instruments), screening instruments (see list of assessments on page four), and teacher recommendations.

Students in the CAAP program receive instruction which is consistent with that of their grade level peers, but presents a greater level of challenge and explores topics in greater depth. Unlike some gifted and talented programs, the CAAP program does not employ “curriculum compacting”. The instructors in the CAAP program are dedicated to making certain that CAAP students are working toward mastery of their subject matter and not merely glossing over important information.