October 7, 2008

Ensure that all students meet or exceed high

academic standards and are prepared for their next steps (e.g., the world of

work and/or post-secondary education)

Redesign the delivery system to meet our students’

changing needs

MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence based, system-wide

practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs,

with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each Kansas student to

achieve high standards.

How does gifted education fit into

MTSS?

Create/approve industry recognized assessments for each of the career clusters

Integrate core content standards with technical program standards

Support implementation of individual career plans of study for all students in 8th grade and above

Improve access to career and technical education by removing barriers and promoting partnerships

Recommend KBOR update Qualified Admissions Create 21st century school standards Support professional development for teachers

to help guide students in planning for future careers

Revise teacher preparation program standards to reflect the integration of content standards

Support the creation of dynamic funding systems that respond to the changing workforce & economic development needs

Fewer than 40 percent of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing job classifications require four-year college degrees.

Fewer than 30 percent of all jobs demand college degrees.

www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/feb/06/; Paul Barton article

Creativity & Innovation Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Communication & Collaboration Information, Communication, Technology &

Media Literacy Flexibility & Adaptability Initiative & Self-Direction Social & Cross-Cultural Skills Productivity & Accountability Leadership & Responsibility Employability & Career Development

RelationshipsRelevance

RigorResults

Responsive Culture

How does gifted education fit into the

integration of career/technical education and

academics?

Provide an effective educator in every

classroom 

14% of teachers quit in their first year 33% of teachers leave within three years 50% leave within the first five years 36% of Kansas teachers can retire in the

next five years 25% fewer students going into teaching Kansas ranks 37th in the nation for teacher’s

salaries

Working Conditions◦ Planning time; 21st century technology; induction

and mentoring programs; professional development; business partnerships

Teacher Preparation◦ Technology; awareness of NCLB, QPA, IDEA; data

issues; national standards; mid-career access to teaching; consistency of preparation programs; business partnerships

Salary & Benefits◦ Continua of pay; retirement system; improved

benefits Image & Promotion

◦ Statewide campaign; grow your own programs; celebrate successes

Regulations/Requirements/Data◦ KBOR discussions; legislative action for funding at

least one year in advance; earlier date for continuing contract notifications; KSDE licensing

How does gifted education fit into the

work of the Teaching in Kansas Commission?

Ensure a visionary and effective

leader in every school

Add 14th standard focusing on teacher leadership beyond the classroom

Add teacher leadership to the domains for licensure renewal

Task force to develop a blueprint for teacher leadership throughout the state

Develop opportunities for teachers to engage in collaborative work

Indicators of teacher leadership quality into accountability measures

Review of teacher preparation programs Endorsement for teacher leadership Statewide framework for evaluation of

school administrators Fund leadership initiatives for continuing

education programs for school leaders Induction program for school leaders Coaching for school leaders

How does gifted education fit into the work of the Kansas

Educational Leadership Commission?

Improve communication

with all constituent groups and policy

partners 

PD2 Press releases ITV sessions Listservs Telephone calls E-mails Service centers Conferences, summer academies,

symposiums, workshops, meetings

How does gifted education fit into the

objective of improving communication?

1. Multi-Tier Systems of Supports (MTSS)

2. Careers/Academics3. Teaching in Kansas

Commission4. Kansas Educational

Leadership Commission5. Standards for 21st Century

Schools

Kansas state statute requires Special Education services be provided through the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) for eligible students identified as gifted and needing special instructional support. 

Kansas is one of only a few states that mandates gifted education services be provided through special education

Consequently, funding follows

Be an advocate Work with general education teachers—

especially in the MTSS framework Build relationships; work as a team Do not isolate gifted education Consider more push-in programs and less

pull-out programs Offer a continuum of services What’s good for gifted, talented and

creative students is good for all students