Highly capable students have access to appropriate instruction, challenges and extension opportunities through the Connections Program. Full-time Connections teachers are on staff at each of the Pekin District 108 schools to provide instructional modifications and support for the Connections students and the teachers who work with them. Three types of program services are available.

TYPE I: Connections teachers provide cluster classroom educators instructional resources and focused professional development. This enables the classroom teacher to maintain a classroom learning environment that includes stimulating and enriching experiences that meet the special needs of Connections students.

TYPE II: Connections students are given opportunities on a consistent basis to pre-test and/or learn at an advanced rate in a variety of areas in the district curriculum. The Connections teachers co-plan, co-teach or facilitate these learning experiences.

TYPE III: Connections students requiring challenges beyond those available in the cluster classroom have opportunities to engage in independent projects and small group extension activities led and evaluated by the Connections teacher.

The expanded Connections program is designed to meet the academic and social needs of identified students in the primary, intermediate and junior high schools. The Connections teachers work extensively with cluster classroom teachers to co-plan and co-teach to assure students’ learning goals are addressed and appropriate levels of challenge exist for each student. In addition, teachers provide enrichment activities and resources for teachers and students in each of the schools.