Teaching for Talent

Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Students: W&M Language Arts Units

Concept-Based Language Arts Units for Gifted & Advanced Learners, Grades 1–12

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Gifted and advanced readers require more than surface comprehension and basic response prompts. They need curriculum that invites them to think conceptually, engage with complex texts, and participate in rich discussion and writing. The William & Mary Literature Units, developed by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William & Mary and published through Kendall Hunt K-12 Education, deliver exactly that. These units support students from grade 1 through high school with concept-based literary study that cultivates analytical thinking, interpretive writing, and intellectual discourse.

Introduction to the Curriculum

Unlike typical literature programs, the William & Mary units are organized around essential concepts and enduring questions such as how change influences human experience, how perspective shapes understanding, or what justice means in society. These units use a variety of texts (including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and informational sources) to explore these themes in depth. The literature selections are chosen for their intellectual substance, cultural richness, and capacity to provoke interpretive thought.

The curriculum spans a broad grade range:

Grades 1–2 units like Beyond Words and Worldly Words build young readers’ literal and inferential understanding while introducing foundational literary concepts.
Elementary through middle school units such as Journeys and Destinations, Patterns of Change, and Autobiographies and Memoirs support students as they deepen their analytical skills.
Middle and high school units such as Utopia, The American Dream, and Change Through Choices invite older learners to wrestle with complex themes, historical contexts, and ethical dilemmas.

Description of the Material

Each unit includes:

Anchoring texts chosen to reflect the conceptual focus
Guiding essential questions that frame inquiry
Discussion protocols and flexible lesson sequences that support exploration
Written response tasks and performance assessments that value synthesis and argumentation

For example, in the Patterns of Change unit for grades 4–6, students explore how cycles operate in nature, history, and human behavior. They use journals, literature webs, and analytical essays to document their thinking and make cross-textual connections. In older units like The 1940s: A Decade of Change (grades 7–9), students read historical fiction, memoirs, and primary documents while engaging in research projects and oral presentations that demonstrate understanding of historical context and literary interpretation.

How to Use It

These units are flexible and adaptable:

In weekly gifted pull-out programs, units can anchor up to a year of focused literature study.
In advanced ELA classrooms, they provide a core framework for seminar-style reading, discussion, and extended writing that could last a semester or a year.
In homeschool or small group settings, parents and teachers can scale units to student interests and pacing, supplementing with additional texts as desired.

For all settings, units benefit from a discussion-rich environment, guided questioning, student reflection, and opportunities for both collaborative and independent work.

Why It Benefits Gifted Learners

William & Mary Literature Units challenge gifted learners by:

Prioritizing conceptual understanding over superficial tasks
Encouraging interpretation, reasoning, and synthesis
Giving students space to articulate and defend ideas through discussion and writing
Integrating reading, writing, and discussion in meaningful ways

These units honor students’ capacity for deep thought and provide pathways for them to engage with literature as active thinkers rather than passive readers.

In Sum

The William & Mary Literature Units provide a research-based, concept-driven ELA curriculum that challenges gifted learners across elementary, middle, and high school levels to think deeply, discuss meaningfully, and write with insight.

Your Turn

I absolutely LOVED using W&M gifted LA units with my gifted students because they thrived on the challenge within them! How about you? Have you used William & Mary Literature Units with your gifted learners? What texts and essential questions sparked the richest discussion? Share your experience in the comments below. ~Ann

Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Students: Research-Based Curriculum Design for the Gifted

Before looking at more gifted curricula, let’s take a quick step back to explore what makes curriculum appropriate for gifted and advanced students…

As educators and parents of gifted and high-ability learners, we know that “more of the same” doesn’t work for students who think, process, and create at advanced levels. What does work is curriculum that respects what gifted students need and can do, and that’s precisely what research in gifted education has identified over decades of study.

Below, we explore what research says about effective curriculum design for gifted learners, including core principles, criteria for evaluating curricular materials, and a spotlight on the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM) developed by Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska.

Understanding the Unique Curriculum Needs of Gifted Learners

Gifted students typically show characteristics such as:

Advanced cognitive ability and rapid learning,
Intensity and complexity in thinking,
High levels of creativity and problem solving,
Deep curiosity and intrinsic motivation.

Because of these traits, gifted learners need curriculum that goes beyond remediation or acceleration alone, instead offering depth, complexity, and opportunities for original thinking. Traditional grade-level progression often under-challenges these students, while research suggests that quality gifted curriculum should do more than simply add more work or move faster.

Research-Supported Principles of Quality Gifted Curriculum

Researchers who have examined effective curriculum models in gifted education highlight several common principles that support high-level academic and affective growth (read an article about curriculum design from Dr. Kimberly Chandler).

1. Differentiation in Content, Process, Product, and Learning Environment (see a VIVA book chapter about differentiation)

A gifted curriculum should vary:

Content — what students learn (goes deeper and broader than grade-level standards),
Process — how students engage with material (emphasizes critical and creative thinking),
Product — how students demonstrate learning (unique, student-generated outcomes), and
Learning Environment — climate and structure of the classroom.

2. Alignment With Standards but Beyond Basic Mastery

Outstanding curricula align with national and/or state academic standards for various content areas, but push students to connect ideas, extend thinking, and transfer learning to novel contexts.

3. Flexible Pacing and Pathways

Gifted learners benefit from options such as compacting, independent study, and self-directed project work, allowing them to move deeply into topics of interest at their own pace (see an article about these strategies in Gifted Models; my next series will explore instructional strategies for gifted learners such as the ones mentioned here).

Spotlight: The Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM)

One of the most influential research-based frameworks in gifted education is the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM), developed by Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska and colleagues at the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. This model grew out of review of the gifted education literature and has guided curriculum development and teacher training for over three decades.

What Is the ICM?

At its core, the ICM emphasizes three interacting curriculum dimensions:

1. Advanced Content
Gifted learners are pre-assessed and then move through curriculum that challenges them beyond grade-level expectations, using acceleration, curriculum compacting, or advanced concepts and materials.

2. Process-Product Focus
Students develop higher-order thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills—and then demonstrate learning through student-designed products that reflect creative and analytical thinking.

3. Concepts, Issues, and Themes
Interdisciplinary exploration of big ideas and real-world issues strengthens understanding, engages students deeply, and makes learning meaningful.

What Research Says About ICM’s Impact

Multiple studies have shown that curriculum designed using ICM principles can increase academic engagement and performance among gifted learners, offering richer opportunities for complex thinking than traditional instruction. Implementation research confirms that gifted students who experience ICM-aligned units often show growth not only in content knowledge but also in reasoning and creative production.

As VanTassel-Baska notes, the model’s strength lies in its integration of advanced content, higher-order process skills, and thematic understanding, rather than simply layering one approach over another (see What Works report).

Practical Criteria for Choosing or Designing Curriculum

When you’re evaluating or creating curriculum for gifted learners, ask:

Does it offer depth and complexity?
Look for opportunities for students to explore concepts deeply, not just complete more tasks.
Does it challenge higher-order thinking?
Tasks should demand analysis, synthesis, evaluation, problem resolution, and creativity.
Is it flexible and responsive to learner needs?
Can students pursue individual interests, access advanced content, and adjust pacing as needed?
Does it integrate interdisciplinary thinking?
Curriculum that connects ideas across subjects promotes transfer and relevance.
Does it include meaningful assessment?
Assessment should help students reflect on their thinking and demonstrate understanding in multiple ways.

Conclusion: What Gifted Learners Deserve

Research on curriculum design in gifted education is clear: gifted learners need curriculum intentionally crafted to match their advanced cognitive and affective potentials. Whether you are purchasing curriculum units or designing your own, the principles above—grounded in proven frameworks like the ICM—can help ensure that learning is both challenging and transformative.

Gifted education isn’t about acceleration alone. It’s about purposeful complexity, personal relevance, and intellectual engagement that inspires learners to think deeply, create boldly, and pursue ideas with passion.

What to Expect in my Curriculum Series

I hope this overview of gifted curriculum design helps you when creating or purchasing gifted curricula. In my series, I will share descriptions of research-based, existing gifted curriculum resources, many of which I have actually used in my gifted classrooms over the years. Please share your suggestions for gifted curriculum items that you would like me to include in the comments below. Thank you! ~Ann

Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Students- Project M3: Mentoring Mathematical Minds (Grades 3-6)

Many gifted math learners are bored in the typical curriculum because they master basic skills quickly but are rarely given tasks that require deep reasoning or creative problem solving. Project M3: Mentoring Mathematical Minds was developed specifically to meet that need. It is a research-validated, advanced mathematics curriculum from the University of Connecticut’s Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development designed to help mathematically talented students think and act like mathematicians rather than just complete routine problems (side note: UConn also has curriculum for Project M2: Mentoring Young Mathematicians).

Introduction to the Curriculum

Project M3 is a series of mathematics units that allow students to engage with big mathematical ideas in number and operations, algebra, geometry and measurement, data analysis, statistics, and probability. Rather than moving quickly through procedures, students explore meaningful problems, make conjectures, analyze patterns, and construct arguments. The curriculum uses the Multiple Menu Model and Parallel Curriculum Model to integrate conceptual depth, creative thinking, and project-based investigations.

Description of the Material

The curriculum is divided into three grade bands:

Levels 3–4
Levels 4–5
Levels 5–6

Each level contains units grounded in real-world scenarios that invite students to use mathematics to solve interesting and challenging problems. For example, in Level 3–4 units such as Unraveling the Mystery of the MoLi Stone, students explore place value and numeration through a simulated archaeological investigation. Other units focus on large numbers, measurement, multiplicative reasoning, patterns, and data analysis. Throughout all units, students maintain Mathematician’s Journals where they write, reason, and reflect.

How to Use It

Project M3 is flexible. In gifted pull-out programs, dedicate weekly sessions for problem solving and discussion. In clustered classrooms, integrate the units with your core curriculum by allowing advanced learners extended time to explore the rich tasks. In homeschools, Project M3 can serve as the primary math curriculum for mathematically advanced learners, or it can augment another program by providing depth and challenge. Because the units require discourse and reflection, small groups or paired work often yield the best results. Students should have time for exploration, journaling, mathematical discourse, and project presentations.

Why It Benefits Gifted Learners

Gifted students benefit from Project M3 because it:

Raises cognitive complexity by engaging students with authentic problems.
Supports deep reasoning and communication through structured reflection and journaling.
Aligns with research on gifted math achievement, with studies showing significant gains in understanding compared to peers using traditional curriculum.

These units build persistence, quantitative reasoning, and confidence while honoring the intellectual capabilities of advanced learners.

In Sum

Project M3 provides a thoughtful, research-based pathway for gifted math instruction that goes beyond acceleration to foster mathematical thinking and problem solving.

Your Turn

Have you tried Project M3 with your gifted learners? What strategies helped students engage most deeply with the units? We’d love for you to share your experience in the comments below. ~Ann

New Series: Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Students

Curriculum matters. For gifted and advanced learners, it matters even more.

One of the most common challenges I hear from teachers and parents is not a lack of motivation to challenge advanced learners, but uncertainty about what curriculum materials are truly appropriate. Worksheets labeled “enrichment” and faster pacing alone do not meet the needs of students who require depth, complexity, abstraction, and intellectual challenge.

That is why I am launching a new Teaching for Talent blog series titled Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Students. After all, it’s the next logical step after my series on gifted identification and my two-part series on gifted delivery of services (program models and opportunities).

In this new series, I will spotlight high-quality curriculum resources that have been intentionally designed for gifted and advanced students. Many of these materials I have used myself when I was a Gifted Resource Teacher in the classroom. The resources include both published and freely available materials from respected institutions such as the University of Connecticut, Vanderbilt University, the College of William & Mary, Junior Great Books, Royal Fireworks Press, and others. Many of these resources are underused simply because educators are not aware they exist.

Each post in this series will focus on a specific curriculum resource across various content areas, including English and reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. I will share an overview of the curriculum, explain how it can be used in classrooms or at home, and describe why it is particularly beneficial for gifted and advanced learners.

My goal is to help you build a stronger mental toolbox of curriculum options so that when a student is ready for more, you know where to turn.

In Sum

Gifted education is not about doing more work. It is about providing more challenging and complex work by utilizing specially designed curriculum. This series is designed to help you do just that.

Your Turn

What curriculum resources have you found most effective for challenging gifted and advanced learners? Share your experiences in the comments below. ~Ann

Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities: Final Thoughts

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As this series on Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities comes to a close, one message remains central. Gifted learners need more than a single pathway to succeed. They need a system rich with opportunities that allows them to discover where they belong and how they grow.

Across fourteen posts, I explored a wide range of opportunities that school divisions can use to support gifted and advanced learners. These included academic pathways, leadership experiences, service and civic engagement, early college options, competitions, mentorships, and fine arts opportunities in music, theater, and visual arts.

Each of these opportunities serves a different purpose. Some challenge students intellectually. Others nurture creativity, leadership, or identity. Fine arts experiences, in particular, remind us that talent development is not limited to traditional academic domains. Artistic talent deserves the same intentional cultivation as mathematical, scientific, or linguistic strengths.

Gifted learners are diverse. Some thrive in structured competitions. Others excel in collaborative ensembles or creative performance spaces. When school divisions provide multiple opportunities, they honor this diversity and create entry points for more students to engage deeply with learning.

From an equity perspective, opportunity matters. When access is broad and intentional, gifted services reach students who might otherwise be overlooked. Students are more likely to see themselves as capable and valued when they can connect their strengths to meaningful experiences.

Ultimately, gifted education is not about choosing the perfect program model. It is about building ecosystems where students can explore, specialize, and shine. When schools commit to offering many pathways for talent development, gifted learners do not just participate. They grow with purpose, confidence, and direction.

That is the true goal of gifted service delivery.

I hope my series gave you food for thought as you look at your own school or school division. What opportunities do you already offer for gifted and advanced students? What opportunities might you want to add for them? Please share your thoughts in the comments below! ~Ann

Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities: Fine Arts Development

Fine arts opportunities are an essential, and sometimes overlooked, component of gifted service delivery. For gifted students with strengths in music, theater, or visual arts, fine arts programming is not enrichment on the side. It is a primary pathway for talent development, identity formation, and advanced learning.

Gifted fine arts students often demonstrate early potential through heightened sensitivity, technical skill, creativity, and expressive depth. These students benefit from structured opportunities in vocal music, band, orchestra, theater, and visual arts that allow them to move beyond basic performance or production and into disciplined practice, critique, and artistic growth.

Participation in choirs, instrumental ensembles, and theater productions develops far more than artistic skill. Students learn perseverance through rehearsal, collaboration through ensemble work, and resilience through performance feedback. Visual arts programs foster conceptual thinking, design skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas through visual media.

Fine arts opportunities can be offered in many formats. These may include advanced or honors-level arts courses, auditions for select ensembles, participation in regional or state festivals, private instruction partnerships, artist-in-residence programs, or community-based arts organizations. Many gifted fine arts students also benefit from independent study projects, portfolio development, and mentorships with professional artists.

In some regions and school divisions, fine arts magnet schools provide an additional pathway for gifted students with exceptional artistic talent (Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts). These schools center instruction around disciplines such as music, visual arts, theater, dance, or a combination of fine arts areas while maintaining academic coursework. Through auditions, portfolio reviews, and sustained artistic training, fine arts magnet schools allow students to work at an advanced level alongside peers with similar talents. For many gifted fine arts students, this environment accelerates skill development, supports artistic identity, and provides access to expert instruction and performance opportunities that may not be available in a traditional school setting.

Equity matters in fine arts programming. School divisions should ensure access to instruments, materials, and instruction so that students are not excluded due to financial barriers. Identifying gifted potential in the arts should include performance-based assessments, portfolios, and observation over time rather than relying solely on traditional academic indicators.

For gifted learners, fine arts opportunities often serve as a place of belonging. These spaces allow students to express emotion, explore identity, and connect deeply with peers who share similar passions. When schools intentionally include fine arts as a delivery of services opportunity, they send a powerful message that artistic talent is valued, cultivated, and worthy of advanced support.

In Sum
Fine arts programming, including fine arts magnet schools, plays a critical role in developing gifted students whose strengths lie in artistic expression. When these opportunities are intentionally designed, equitably accessible, and recognized as a core service rather than an add-on, schools create powerful pathways for long-term talent development.

Your Turn
What fine arts opportunities are available in your school or community? Have you seen fine arts magnet schools or advanced arts programming make a difference for gifted students? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities: Civics-Focused Leadership Programs

Civic engagement is a powerful way for gifted students to deepen their understanding of government, leadership, and community responsibility. High-ability learners thrive when given authentic contexts to apply critical thinking, debate competing viewpoints, and practice leadership in real-world settings. The following programs offer rigorous, structured experiences that connect classroom civics to lived practice and future opportunities in scholarship, college admissions, and civic life. (Note: Some of these opportunities cost money. I have not vetted all of these opportunities, just researched and compiled them for this article.)

Girls State and Boys State / Boys Nation

Programs like the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and the American Legion Boys State are immersive, week-long events in which high school students participate in mock governments, elections, and legislative processes administered on college campuses. Participants take on roles in local and state government, run campaigns, draft laws, and debate public policy, all while gaining a practical understanding of how democratic systems function.

From the ranks of Boys State delegates and Girls State delegate, a select group is invited to Boys Nation or Girls Nation a more selective week-long forum held in Washington, D.C., where students simulate the federal Senate and explore national civic leadership.

Senate Page Programs

Senate Page Programs provide high school students with a unique opportunity to work inside legislative bodies. Pages assist with chamber operations, deliver materials, and gain firsthand exposure to the lawmaking process. These programs vary by chamber and state, and application deadlines are competitive. Participation gives students an insider’s view of governance and strengthens future applications in public service fields.

(Each senator’s office sponsors state-specific Senate Page programs. Contact your local representative’s office for details.)

YMCA Youth & Government

YMCA Youth & Government® is a longstanding civic simulation program that prepares students to engage in “government policies and methodologies” (from the website). Participants join delegations (often through schools or local YMCAs) that draft and debate bills, serve in simulated legislative and judicial branches, and practice civic leadership throughout the school year, typically culminating in a state conference.

HOBY Youth Leadership

HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) offers various leadership development experiences, including State Leadership Seminars for sophomores and the World Leadership Congress, which convenes students from across the U.S. and abroad. HOBY focuses on personal, group, and service leadership and encourages students to apply civic principles in their communities.

iCivics Youth Fellowship

The iCivics Youth Fellowship is a 10-month program for high school students that emphasizes community-focused civic education and leadership. Fellows engage in virtual meetings, develop civic campaigns, and participate in a convening in Washington, D.C., all while building communication and leadership skills.

Additional Civic Opportunities

We the People and Project Citizen programs promote deep civic understanding through constitutional debate and policy action. These programs often culminate in simulated hearings or civic action projects (Washington State).
Local Youth Action Councils (such as New York City’s YA50) empower students to take action on community issues and learn organizing and leadership skills.
National Civics Bee competitions engage middle and high school students in testing their civics knowledge on a national stage.

Why These Experiences Matter

Gifted students often benefit from challenges beyond traditional coursework. Civics-focused programs give them real responsibilities, high-stakes simulations, and opportunities to collaborate with peers and leaders. Students deepen their understanding of democratic processes, strengthen critical thinking and public speaking skills, and build confidence as active citizens. These experiences not only enrich academic profiles but also foster a lifelong commitment to community engagement.

In Sum

There is a vibrant ecosystem of civic learning and leadership opportunities for high-ability students. From immersive simulations like Girls/Boys State and Youth & Government to year-long fellowships with iCivics or leadership development through HOBY, gifted students have options that match a range of interests, strengths, and schedules. These programs help bridge classroom learning with civic action and empower students to lead, participate, and make meaningful contributions to society.

Question for You

Which civic engagement or leadership program resonates most with your student’s interests, and why? Share your choice and what you hope they gain from it in the comments below. ~Ann

Gifted Delivery of Service Opportunities: Specialized Schools for Gifted Students

Many families of gifted learners start to wonder whether traditional school settings will ever be enough to challenge and inspire their child. In addition to classroom differentiation and acceleration in local schools, some students thrive in specialized educational environments designed specifically for advanced learners. These options include gifted-focused magnet schools, state supported gifted schools, and Governor’s Schools.

Gifted Magnet Schools
Magnet schools are public schools with specialized curricula that attract students from across school districts. While not all magnet schools are exclusively for gifted students, many such as the Pine View School for the Gifted in Florida provide a full-time advanced program tailored to academically talented learners through elementary to high school. Magnet schools often emphasize themes like STEM, arts, or critical thinking and may require competitive admission. National lists also identify many top magnet schools around the country, including academically rigorous options in Texas, Tennessee, and California. (Niche)

State Supported Gifted Schools
Several states operate residential or specialized high schools for high-ability students. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is a state-supported residential school offering intensive study for juniors and seniors without tuition. Similarly, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) provides a two-year residential experience emphasizing STEM and humanities.

Governor’s Schools
Programs like the Governor’s School of North Carolina offer summer residential enrichment for gifted high school students, while states such as Virginia operate summer residential and academic-yearGovernor’s Schools where students attend advanced classes regionally. Examples include the Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School and the Governor’s School for Science and Technology, among others in Virginia.

Each of these models offers a unique path for intellectual growth, from highly selective magnet campuses to immersive residential environments. Participation in specialized schools challenges gifted learners intellectually while placing them within a community of like-minded peers.

In Sum…
Whether you’re exploring magnet school applications or considering a state or Governor’s School opportunity, these specialized settings can provide stimulating academic communities for gifted learners. We’d love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts or experiences with these programs in the comments below! ~Ann

Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities: Academic Honor Societies

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Academic honor societies recognize sustained excellence and often provide leadership, scholarship, and service opportunities. For these reasons, gifted students thrive in their involvement in academic honor societies! Some well-known societies include Mu Alpha Theta (math) and Spanish Honor Society — both of which support students in extended academic engagement beyond grades.

What does an honor society do? My middle son was in Mu Alpha Theta. It provided its mathletes with community, competitions, and scholarships, celebrating achievement and promoting mathematical inquiry. One thing he really enjoyed through the society was peer tutoring. This valuable activity served the needs of his school and helped the mathletes become even strong mathematicians.

Of course, there are many honor societies. Others like National Honor Society (NHS) and subject-specific groups for science, arts, and social studies also provide platforms for service, leadership, and academic distinction.

Schools can promote honor society involvement as both recognition and developmental opportunity. Students benefit from peer collaboration, leadership roles within the society, and portfolio materials for college admissions. What honor societies does your school or school division provide for students? Tell us about them in the comments below. We’d love to hear! ~Ann

Gifted Delivery of Services Opportunities: Diploma Seals

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Diploma seals and special recognitions celebrate achievement and readiness for post-secondary life. In Virginia, for example, students can earn multiple official diploma seals upon graduation, such as the Governor’s Seal, Board of Education Seal, STEM Seal, Seal for Excellence in Civics Education, and Seal of Biliteracy.

These seals recognize exemplary performance in academics, language proficiency, civic engagement, or work-based learning. Any student can earn a diploma seal. For gifted students, earning seals can showcase rigor, initiative, and breadth of experience to colleges and employers.

Advisors can help students plan pathways that align coursework, service, internships, and extracurricular leadership in ways that satisfy seal requirements. Documentation, reflection, and regular check-ins ensure students remain on track.

Seals are more than honors; they represent a coherent academic portfolio that reflects commitment, depth, and breadth — essential characteristics of talented learners.

I’m wondering if other states have recognitions like this for students. Does your state have a diploma seals program like Virginia does? Which types of seals can students earn? Please let us know in the comments below! ~Ann