Multi-Tiered System of Supports

At Lumberton Township School District (LTSD), a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) recognizes that all students deserve instruction that is responsive to their individual strengths, needs, and readiness levels—including students who demonstrate advanced learning needs. Support for gifted learners is not limited to participation in the district's Gifted & Talented program; it begins in the general education classroom and extends across a continuum of increasingly personalized learning opportunities.

Tier 1: Differentiation for All Learners
Within the general education classroom, teachers provide high-quality, differentiated instruction designed to meet a range of student readiness levels. For advanced learners, this may include increased depth and complexity, flexible grouping, higher-level questioning, opportunities for student choice, and tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. The goal is not simply to provide "more work," but to provide learning experiences that offer an appropriate level of challenge.

Tier 2: Targeted Enrichment and Extension
Students who demonstrate a need for additional challenge may receive more targeted opportunities for enrichment and acceleration. Instruction may include advanced content, small-group learning experiences, interdisciplinary projects, independent inquiry, or opportunities to apply learning in new and authentic contexts. Teachers use student performance, interests, strengths, and readiness to help personalize these experiences.

Tier 3: Gifted & Talented Programming and Individualized Opportunities
Students identified for LTSD's Gifted & Talented program receive additional opportunities for advanced, project-based learning. Using Defined Learning as a core instructional resource, students engage in authentic challenges that promote inquiry, innovation, collaboration, communication, and the application of knowledge across disciplines. When appropriate, additional personalization or acceleration may be considered to ensure that students continue to experience meaningful academic growth.

Through this multi-tiered approach, LTSD views gifted education as a shared responsibility. Classroom teachers, Gifted & Talented staff, interventionists, and administrators work collaboratively to ensure that advanced learners are appropriately challenged throughout their school day—not only during designated Gifted & Talented programming. Our goal is to recognize and develop each student's strengths while providing the depth, complexity, pace, and level of challenge needed for continued growth.