Early in April, teachers and guidance counselors review the records of current 6th and 7th grade students to determine if any students* now meet the screening qualifications for the Advanced Learning Program (ALP) and should sit for the placement tests. In addition to teacher and guidance input, this letter invites parents and guardians of 6th and 7th grade students to nominate their child/children to be evaluated for the program.

ALP Language Arts classes are best suited for students who are exceptionally strong readers and writers, love literature/writing, and are eager to take on more challenging work. In 7th and 8th grade, it is also possible to be a “Seminar Only” student – that is, a student who qualifies for placement in Seminar 7 or 8 without also qualifying for ALP Language Arts. “Seminar Only” students tend to be avid readers of nonfiction, such as biographies, and articles/books about history, politics, science, or current events. Parent Nominations and Self Nominations from students are both welcome and will automatically enable a student to sit for the placement tests.

Please consider the following characteristics of Advanced Learning Program students when deciding if you wish to have your child tested:

• Outstanding performance in core academic classes

• Superior performance on standardized tests (two grades above)

• Goes beyond basic comprehension to analyze and discuss texts, often with adults

• Is motivated to go beyond what is required for class and homework

• Perseveres when faced with challenging work

  Details about the middle school ALP program and its curricula are available online, using http://www.greenwichschoolsk.org/page.cfm?p=22 as a base. Please explore descriptions of Seminar and ALP Language Arts for your child’s next grade level.

  If you wish to have your child tested, please discuss the nominations process with your child. The next step is to complete and submit one nomination form (Parent Nomination or Student Self-Nomination) and one signed parent permission slip (6th grade permission or 7th grade permission). Please return completed forms as soon as possible to the Guidance Office. The deadline for all forms is Wednesday, March 27, 2013. Copies of this letter and downloadable forms are available by following the links from Eastern’s Home Page.

  If you do not wish to have your child tested now, please note that the next opportunity to be evaluated for the ALP program will be a year from now, in the Spring 2014, for placement in the Fall of 2014.

  *Current ALP Language Arts and Seminar students will be scheduled for the same placement next year. No further testing is necessary.