The McFarland teachers have been trained in differentiation strategies and techniques. This is a way to vary the methods and/or materials to meet individual learning needs within each classroom. Differentiation can take many different forms. Some examples include:

• Students may select one or more activities from a menu of choices that vary in difficulty or complexity. 
• Students who are reading at a higher level may select a more difficult book and discuss it in a small group or book club.
• Students may take a pre-test and “test out” of a unit. They would then work on an independent project or work at a more advanced level.
• Students may participate in a book discussion based on interest

Enrichment refers to those activities that serve to enhance the curriculum. Some enrichment activities are available to all students and some are designed to meet a particular need for identified students. These vary according to building. Examples of enrichment activities include:

• Classroom visits by the Resource Teacher for Advanced Learners that model different kinds of lessons.
• Flexible Groups developed to meet identified needs. For example, there may be a group of middle school students who are particularly interested in nanotechnology. A group will be formed so that they have an opportunity to further explore this topic with the Resource Teacher.

The availability of enrichment options varies from year to year, but some representative examples are:

• Greater Dane Anthology: This writing contest is sponsored by the Greater Dane County Advanced Learner Network for students in grades 5 – 8.
• Math 24 Tournaments: The game of calculation in which students need to reach the sum of 24 by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing four numbers. The cards increase in difficulty from single digit numbers to algebraic expressions and two variables. Available to grades 4 – 8
• Middle and High School Clubs such as: Academic Decathlon, Model United Nations, Robotics, Science Bowl, and Science Olympiad to name a few

Enrichment is also offered to those who demonstrate a more specific need. Participation in these programs is by selection only based on multiple criteria. Examples of programming at this level include:

• Book Discussion Groups
• Math Meet Team
• Art Enrichment
• WCATY Online Co-op Courses & Enrichment Opportunities

Acceleration is offered to those students who demonstrate an extremely high aptitude in a particular subject area and have specialized needs. Although very rare, full grade acceleration is offered when necessary. For example, a student may finish first grade in the spring but begin the next school year as a third grader. We take great care in McFarland when considering the acceleration of a student. It is a team decision based on multiple data points such as achievement tests, grade level assessments, student aptitude, student motivation and maturity level. Team members involved in making acceleration decision may include the students’ parents, classroom teachers, the building administrator, the advanced learner resource teacher and the student.

• Policy 2464: Programs for Gifted and Talented Students
• Policy 5410: Promotion, Placement and Retention