Department of Defense Education Activity

Gifted Education: Services

Through a broad based curriculum focused on DoDEA College and Career Ready Standards, the Advanced Academic Program and Services addresses the unique needs, potentials, and strengths of each student. DoDEA is committed to providing challenging learning experiences that build on individual strengths and promote growth for all students. In order to meet the needs of a broad range of advanced learners, DoDEA offers a continuum of advanced academic services.

The Gifted Education Services adheres to the following guidelines:

  • Advanced learning needs are evident in students’ abilities and achievements that are clearly at the upper end of the distribution of abilities and achievements of students of the same age.
  • Advanced learning needs are dynamic and constantly developing, requiring not only traditional assessments but a collection of information over time in active learning experiences to inform understanding of students’ abilities and potentialities.
  • Advanced learning needs are nurtured through appropriate educational experiences.
  • Advanced learning needs are exhibited across all gender, racial, ethnic, income-level, and exceptionality groups, and are reflective of the demographics of the school.
  • All students have equity of access to the referral process.
  • Advanced learning needs are enabled through development of students’ psycho-social skills as well as their cognitive skills.
  • Early identification improves the likelihood that advanced abilities will be developed into future potentialities.

Gifted Education Service Options

Elementary (K-5)

Levels of Services

Level I—The Advanced Academic Program and Services Resource Teacher (AAPS-RT) collaborates with the classroom teacher to present critical and creative thinking exercises and lessons provided either by the AAPS-RT or the classroom teacher. The AAPS-RT serves as a resource for all elementary classroom teachers for developing targeted complex, critical thinking learning experiences. Differentiated instruction is provided by the classroom teacher.

Level II—All services available in Level I. Additional support may include: flexible cluster grouping which may take the form of like-ability groups, paired learning, and/or subject specific groupings based on student needs; learning extensions provided by the AAPS-RT (based on need); curricular compacting; learning contracts.

Level III—All services available in Levels I & II. Additional support may include: fixed cluster grouping allowing students of like academic need to work together when necessary; Quarterly Advanced Academic Units; independent studies; group research projects.

Level IV—All services available in Levels I, II & III. Additional support may include: content acceleration*; grade level acceleration*; mentoring relationships.  *Requires a Placement Review Committee meeting and administrative approval.

Middle School/High School - Grades 6 - 12
  • Grade acceleration
  • Grade acceleration for specific content
  • Individualized services
  • Interdisciplinary course
  • Regular course with cluster grouping and differentiation
High School - Grades 9 - 12
  • Advanced Placement
  • Honors Classes

Contact Information:

DoDEA Gifted Education Instructional Systems Specialist
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-1400
Email: