The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All
About this ebook
In today’s standards-driven era, how can teachers motivate and challenge gifted students and ensure that all students reach their potential? This book provides a compelling answer: the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model. The authors explain how the model differs from grouping practices of the past, and they present a roadmap for implementing, sustaining, and evaluating schoolwide cluster grouping. Readers will find a wealth of teacher-tested classroom strategies along with detailed information on identifying gifted students for clusters, gaining support from parents, and providing ongoing professional development to teachers and other staff. The new edition:
- offers identification and placement guidance for a wide variety of student ages and populations
- directs special attention toward empowering gifted English language learners
- shows teachers how to use the Depth of Knowledge framework to differentiate learning tasks
- offers new ideas for integrating technology into both professional development and student learning
The Cluster Grouping Handbook offers a guide for schools to create a workable, defensible gifted program; to simplify teachers’ jobs; and to maximize learning for all students. Digital content includes customizable forms from the book and a PDF presentation; a free PLC/Book Study Guide is also available.
About the author
Dina Brulles, Ph.D., is the gifted program coordinator at Arizona State University and the former director of gifted education at Paradise Valley Unified School District in Arizona. She recently served as NAGC’s Governance Secretary and also as the board’s school district representative.
Dina received the prestigious 2022 NAGC Ann F. Isaacs Founder’s Memorial Award. She was also the recipient of the 2019 and the 2020 NAGC Book of the Year Award (for practitioners), NAGC’s inaugural 2014 Gifted Coordinator Award, and the Professional Development Network Award in 2013.
Dina has actively supported and served as a mentor for the Javits Frasier Scholarship Program since 2010. Dr. Brulles’ work emphasizes and encourages equitable and inclusive identification practices and programming in gifted education. By sharing her interests and experiences, Dr. Brulles supports others in their efforts to develop all our gifted learners’ potential.
Susan Winebrenner, M.S., is a full-time consultant in staff development.
She presents workshops and seminars nationally and internationally, helping educators translate educational research into classroom practice.
