Project Promise
Project PROMISE is a collaborative and integrated model for teaching and learning in the primary grades (K-3) to enhance instructional flexibility, develop science curriculum, and improve the identification of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for gifted education services.
The curriculum, instruction, and research-based best practices were developed and field tested in a scaffolded format over four years, in three school divisions. Project PROMISE teachers initially incorporated modified curriculum and instruction into existing science blocks. Further training enabled those teachers to develop their own differentiated curriculum, thus ensuring that all of their students have an opportunity to explore science concepts, to conduct research, and to demonstrate advanced learning behaviors indicative of gifted learners. The project was developed through a Jacob K. Javits Grant, and was a collaboration of the Virginia Department of Education, the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary, Prince William County Public Schools, Martinsville City Public Schools and Greensville County Public Schools.
The Project PROMISE model has proven effective in increasing the achievement scores of the students in science and reading comprehension, and has increased the confidence and professional skills of the teachers. In addition, the Project PROMISE teachers declare that their ability to recognize gifted behaviors in economically disadvantaged students has improved dramatically.
Use the menu on the right for information about curriculum, resourses for teachers and information for administrators.
Project PROMISE Overview Presentation
This overview presentation (PPT) is a program overview that may be presented to school boards, advisory boards, principals, or others interested in basic information and performance data for the program.
Comments from Project PROMISE teachers
- Play video 1 (Flash Video)
- Play video 2 (Flash Video)