Page 30 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

GIFTED SUPPORT

To better identify gifted students from underrepresented groups, the District requires universal gifted
screening for all second-grade students. In FY25, the District completed its fourth year of administering
the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test (NNAT3) as a universal screening tool. The NNAT3 was given to 10,247
second-grade students across all District-operated schools.

As gifted eligibility is determined, the District ensures that gifted-certified teachers are available to support
students’ educational needs. The District offers flexible online gifted endorsement courses at no cost
to teachers, available in both English and Spanish. In FY25, approximately 250 teachers enrolled in this
program. To further support professional learning, the District provides gifted-endorsed teachers with a
year-long membership to the National Association for Gifted Children.

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

In Project-Based Learning (PBL), students actively
acquire knowledge and skills through in-depth inves-
tigations and responses to real-world questions,
problems, or challenges that align with academic
standards. This evidence-based approach increases
student engagement, fosters essential competencies
for future success, and connects classroom learning to
broader real-world problems.
In FY25, the District established a PBL Network of
Schools to implement innovative learning strategies D.D. Eisenhower ES kindergarten students’ interactive
aligned with each school’s mission, vision, and goals project board engages other classes in the data-gathering
and feedback process.
while preserving the core elements of PBL. Utilizing
various models such as PBLWorks, Participate
Learning, 3DE, and Inquiry-Based Learning, 16
network schools engaged students in innovative
learning experiences that challenged them to apply
standards-based learning to real-world problems and
contexts.
Principals and regional leaders from networked
schools established a PBL Community of Practice,
fostering collaboration and an inquiry-based culture.
Teachers and school leaders enhanced their instruc-
tional capacity through peer learning, classroom
walkthroughs, and continuous job-embedded profes-
sional learning.

Students at Park Vista Community HS build an underwater
robotic rover and compete in the SeaPerch Competition.

30 SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL REPORT