Designing for Success: A Tailored Curriculum to Meet the Needs of 2e Learners

Twice-exceptional (2e) learners, with their unique combination of advanced abilities and areas of challenge, require a learning environment as dynamic and multifaceted as they are. At The Lang School, curriculum, instruction, and support systems are thoughtfully crafted to meet these diverse needs through evidence-based practices, flexible teaching strategies, and a holistic focus on social-emotional learning (SEL). By integrating these elements, The Lang School ensures that its students not only achieve academic success, but also grow socially and emotionally, developing the confidence and skills they need to thrive.

Adapting Curriculum for Individual Needs

At the heart of The Lang School’s approach is its commitment to tailoring the educational experience for each student. Individualized Learning Profiles (ILPs) provide a roadmap, outlining each student’s strengths, challenges, and goals. These profiles serve as the foundation for a flexible curriculum designed to challenge advanced learners while providing additional support where needed.

Classes are grounded in project-based learning, where students delve deeply into areas of interest, fostering critical thinking and executive functioning skills. Assistive technologies, including text-to-speech tools, organizational apps, and manipulatives, are integrated into the learning process to ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Innovative Pedagogical Practices

Instruction at The Lang School combines creativity and structure to meet students where they are:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Lessons are designed with multiple entry points, offering diverse ways for students to engage, understand, and express their learning.

• Differentiated Instruction: Teachers adjust content, process, and outcomes to align with students’ readiness, interests, and profiles.

• Strength-Based Learning: By emphasizing students’ talents and interests, teachers foster engagement, build confidence, and encourage a love of learning.

• Scaffolded Learning: Concepts are introduced in manageable steps, with students gradually taking on greater independence as their skills develop.

• SEL-Integrated Teaching: Social-emotional learning is woven into every lesson, helping students build self-awareness, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills alongside academic content.

Measuring What Matters: Holistic Assessment

The Lang School recognizes that growth extends beyond academics. Progress is measured using a mix of formative and summative assessments, portfolios, and self-regulation metrics. Students maintain portfolios showcasing their academic, social, and emotional growth, allowing them to take pride in their progress over time.

Collaborative feedback loops between students, teachers, and families ensure that goals remain relevant and that interventions are responsive to changing needs. Grading systems emphasize progress and effort, encouraging a growth mindset and celebrating accomplishments in areas of both strength and challenge.

Preventing Underperformance Through Proactive Support

Understanding the unique vulnerabilities of 2e learners, The Lang School has developed robust systems to identify and address potential barriers to success. Early assessments pinpoint areas of need and strength, enabling responsive interventions such as one-on-one support or alternative approaches to instruction.

Frequent check-ins ensure that students feel supported, while flexible pacing prevents frustration by allowing learners to progress at their own speed. A focus on SEL helps students build resilience, manage anxiety, and develop coping strategies, equipping them to overcome challenges like perfectionism or self-doubt.

Evidence-Based Methods for Success

Grounded in research, The Lang School’s methods are informed by studies on giftedness, neurodiversity, and executive functioning. Key components include:

• SEL Programs: Tools like Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking Methodology, and Responsive Classroom help students navigate emotions, build relationships, and foster community.

• Executive Functioning Support: Visual schedules, task breakdowns, and guided goal-setting empower students to develop critical organizational skills.

• Validated Practices: Teaching strategies and interventions are continuously refined based on empirical research and real-world results.

The Central Role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL is more than a program at The Lang School—it’s a philosophy woven into the fabric of daily life. Whether through structured lessons, one-on-one coaching, or classroom interactions, students develop emotional awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. Programs like Zones of Regulation and Responsive Classroom create a shared language for navigating emotions and building positive relationships, fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.

Celebrating Success and Confronting Challenges

The Lang School’s commitment to individualized learning has yielded remarkable successes:

• Tailored Support: Students benefit from programs that honor their strengths while addressing their challenges, creating a balanced and nurturing environment.

• Positive Outcomes: Many students rediscover a love of learning, achieve academic milestones, and build self-regulation and advocacy skills.

• Community and Belonging: A low student-teacher ratio and intentional community-building efforts create a safe space where students feel valued and understood.

However, challenges remain. Meeting the complex needs of 2e learners requires significant resources, highly skilled staff, and a culture of adaptability. Recruiting and retaining educators with the expertise and passion for 2e education remains a priority, as does navigating external systems to secure appropriate services for students.

A Vision for Continuous Growth

The Lang School’s curriculum and instructional practices are living systems—responsive, inclusive, and grounded in evidence. By fostering academic, social, and emotional growth, the school equips its students with the tools they need to succeed in their unique journeys.

Through its unwavering commitment to individualized education, professional development, and collaboration, The Lang School continues to redefine what’s possible for twice-exceptional learners, setting a new standard for excellence in 2e education.