DD is in a cluster group with 3 other kids identified as "gifted" and it's not working. The teacher's idea of working with the cluster group is to give them "enrichment packets" for math. She doesn't meet with the group or instruct them.
Sorry, no. From your description, she is grouped by chronological age. A pull-out group is not the same, no matter whether they call it a "cluster group" to try to sell it. This is not the same as flexible cluster grouping by readiness and ability without regard to chronological age.
There is as sharp a contrast here as there is between "differentiation" meaning "differentiated instruction" or expectation of "differentiation in work products/output", without benefit of instruction.
Cluster and differentiation are among the many
buzzwords which can mean almost anything.. therefore obfuscate the educational experience... rather than providing transparency and managing expectations.
