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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEAPRIL 8, 2014

SHERRY MYERS, PRESENTER

THE TEXAS STATE PLAN FOR THE EDUCATION OF GIFTED AND TALENTED

STUDENTS

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Steve Jobs

Here’s to the crazy ones.The misfits.The rebels.

The troublemakers.The round pegs in the square holes.The ones who see things differently.

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Steve Jobs (cont.)

Because the people who are crazy enoughTo think they can change the world,

Are the ones who do.

--Steve Jobs

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State Plan Background

1977: First GT legislation developed in Texas

1979 State funds made available 1990 The Texas State Plan for the

Education of Gifted and Talented (State Plan) is adopted

1999 Texas Performance Standards developed

2009 Most current revision of State Plan

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State Plan – Recommended and Exemplary

To offer guidance to districts and campuses, standards for “recommended” and “exemplary” performance are included as viable targets.

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5 Sections in state plan SECTION 1: Student Assessment

SECTION 2: Service Design

SECTION 3: Curriculum & Instruction

SECTION 4: Professional Development

SECTION 5: Family/Community Involvement

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3 possible ratings for each criterion

Acceptable Recommended Exemplary

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Knowledge is Power

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for being

out of compliance!

HB5, Section 46, has put a new emphasis on compliance and quality of programs.

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A Rationale for Gifted Services

Texas Education Code §29.122:

“…each school district shall adopt a process for

identifying and serving gifted and talented

students in the district and shall establish a

program for those students in each grade level…”

This is state law, passed by the Texas Legislature.

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A Rationale for Gifted Services

Texas Administrative Code 19 TAC §89.3:

“School districts shall provide an array of learning opportunities for gifted/talented students in kindergarten through grade twelve and shall inform parents of the opportunities.”

This is state rule, as determined by TEA.

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Evaluation of Gifted Services

House Bill 5 (HB5) passed in 83rd legislative session, 2013

Section 46 of HB5 amends the Texas Education Code by adding section 39.0545, entitled School District Evaluation of Performance in Community and Student Engagement; Compliance

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Evaluation of Gifted Services

Use criteria developed by a local committee

Evaluate the district's performance and the performance of each campus in the district in nine categories of performance – including gifted and talented

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State Goal for Services for GT Students

Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication, as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted/talented students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

as adopted by the Texas State Board of Education

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Texas State Plan Link

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6420

English & Spanish

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Texas State Plan – Five Key Elements SECTION 1: Student Assessment

SECTION 2: Service Design

SECTION 3: Curriculum & Instruction

SECTION 4: Professional Development

SECTION 5: Family/Community Involvement

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State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights

SECTION 1: Student Assessment Students in grades K-12 shall be

assessed and, if identified, provided gifted/talented services

Qualitative and quantitative data are collected through three or more measures, and used to determine whether a student needs gifted/talented services

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SECTION 2: Service Design Students are assured an array of learning

opportunities commensurate with their abilities in the four foundation curricular areas

Gifted students are ensured opportunities to work together as a group, work with other students, and work independently during the school day as well as the entire school year

State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights

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SECTION 3: Curriculum & Instruction Appropriately challenging learning

experiences in the four foundation curricular areas are provided

Improvement of G/T services are included in district and campus improvement plans

State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights

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SECTION 4: Professional Development A minimum of 30 hours of training in gifted

education is required for teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of the district’s defined gifted services

Administrators and counselors who have authority for service decisions must complete six hours of training in gifted education

State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights

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SECTION 5: Family/Community Involvement Written polices are developed, approved by

board of trustees and disseminated to parents

An array of learning opportunities is provided for G/T students in grades K-12, and parents are informed of all services and opportunities

State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights

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Evaluating a District’s Gifted ServicesIf you want to see a successful gifted program model, look at a successful athletic program. Key points are:

Identified and dedicated coaches

Goals: “We are going to win state!”

A Play Book: People know what they are supposed to do

Practice, Practice, Practice: Teams build from level to level

Evaluation occurs regularly and is taken seriously

Keep these ideas in mind when you look at your district’s gifted services!

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What are the expectations?

Do you have a GT focus? At faculty meetings At administrator meetings At counselor meetings Require/give monthly reports Require/give yearly reports Have quarterly scheduled meetings within district

with cross-campus representation Keep updated district website

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As a district rep

Communication with School Board

Setting up / maintaining budget

Support to campus staff

Communication with family and community

In compliance with State Plan (5 sections)

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As a campus rep

Testing Identifying / scheduling for service needs Communicating with parents Providing instruction

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Documentation

Must keep records… Referred or Nominated Testing Results Selection Committee – Notes Parent Permission PEIMS Exits / Furloughs Parent and student program evaluations

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Communication & Documentation

Planned On-going Publicity for porgram Placed on calendars at beginning of year (priority!)

Examples:Yearly Timeline

Identification “To Do” ListProgram Services Report

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Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students

District GT Program ManualProfessional Development

Board Presentations

Program Improvement

Parent SessionsProgram Evaluation

GT Contact Meetings

ACISD GT Program

ACISD - State Plan is the Foundation

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Four Key Factors

1.Commitment to the State GT Plan

2. Change is a process, not an event

3. Build human capacity

4. Inspect what you expect

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Thanks for serving GT students!

Closing comments, questions……….