Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC)is a Department of Ecucation program which provides specialised learning extension for gifted and talented students in Years 5 and 6. The program offers a range of courses that provide the most able students with opportunities for extension and enrichment work that is intellectually challenging.
These special courses are run off-site during regular school hours. The courses usually run for two hours a week. Students must be organised and have good time management skills, as it is their responsibility to ensure that they catch up on all class work missed during their attendance at PEAC.
Student Identification
The PEAC courses are for exceptionally able students who are identified in the testing process that takes place in Year 4. Two tests are administered. The first measures broad language and reasoning abilities and is made up of the following components: verbal comprehension, mathematical problem solving and verbal analysis and reasoning. The second test measures students’ ability to see relationships and solve problems. The scores from the test will be used in the selection of students for the PEAC courses and other extension programs.
Test questions are multiple choice, of a contemporary nature and are separated into the following sub categories:
- Reading Comprehension;
- Reasoning by analogy;
- Working Mathematically/Thinking Scientifically; and
- Non-Verbal reasoning
The test will measure the child’s ability to
- recognise patterns,
- predict with accuracy,
- use their reasoning skills in a range of contexts,
- apply their knowledge and learning in language, mathematics, and thinking scientifically.
Further information can be found Department of Education website.
