Creative Learning in a Unique Environment

CLUE is an education program designed to meet the needs of academically talented and gifted students in the Memphis City Schools. The curriculum incorporates both group and individual strategies focusing on creative thinking, critical thinking, communication, leadership, group dynamics, and problem solving.

CLUE currently serves preschool, primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students. Placement is based on individual assessment.

Questions regarding the CLUE program may be addressed to the local school's CLUE teacher or guidance counselor, or to:

Dr. Tommie Yelvington
Lead Teacher, CLUE Program
e-mail: yelvingtontb@mcsk12.net
telephone: 901-416-0155

Division of Exceptional Children
Memphis City Schools
Bond Building, 2930 Airways Blvd
Memphis, TN 38116-3844

Clue Program Description

"Intelligent behavior does not arise naturally; it grows through exercise and guidance. Nature may establish high potential for high levels of intellectual functioning; parents, teachers, peers, and the community provide the conditions through which the intelligence of gifted and talented youth is brought to fruition." -- John F. Feldhusen, founder and director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute, Purdue University

Mission Statement

The mission of the gifted and talented program is to provide a nurturing, accepting environment where the unique intellectual, creative, social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students are fulfilled. Meeting these needs can best be accomplished through an individualized differentiated curriculum which will enable gifted and talented students to develop their potential and participate effectively in society as citizens and leaders.

Differentiated for Gifted Learners

CLUE (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment) is the gifted and talented program in the Memphis City Schools. The foundation of the CLUE program is a differentiated curriculum with these key characteristics:

• More intellectually demanding learning experiences.
• Learning based on characteristics, needs, abilities, and interests rather than on predetermined curricula or sequence of instruction.
• Complex activities requiring more abstract thought and higher-level thinking processes.
• Time for in-depth inquiry, active exploration, and discovery.
• Higher expectations for independence and task persistence.
• Extensive opportunities to develop and apply creative and critical thinking.
• More challenges to acquire and demonstrate leadership abilities.
• More emphasis on developing self-understanding and the understanding and appreciation of others.
• More opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned in a wide variety of forms that reflect knowledge, excellence, and the ability to generate new ideas.

Delivery Models

Methods and strategies used within the CLUE curriculum emphasize the belief that gifted students must be active participants in their own learning. The CLUE teacher functions as a facilitator, guide, and confidant. Services for gifted students are provided through a variety of models:

• Consult Service - provided by endorsed teacher of gifted to the homeroom teacher or to the student who is not directly instructed by a teacher of gifted. Content is expanded within the parameters of the curriculum being taught.
• Resource Service - students leave the regular classroom at a pre-set time and are taught by a teacher of gifted.
• Advanced Classes - students identified as gifted receive service in classes which offer advanced concepts in that discipline.

Funding

Funding for the CLUE program is provided both by the State of Tennessee through the Division of Exceptional Children and the Memphis City Schools. Students who are identified gifted according to the guidelines of Tennessee are funded at the state level while Memphis City Schools solely supports the expansion of the CLUE program for high achieving, academically talented students.

Questions regarding CLUE services may be addressed to the local school's CLUE teacher or guidance counselor, or to the Division of Exceptional Children.