Best Practices in Gifted Education

Site Visit PreparationMary Schmidt

Gifted Education Consultantmschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us

800.255.0405 or 270.0405 ext. 14375http://aea11gt.pbworks.com

What We’re Here For..…to examine best practices in educating the gifted…to learn requirements of Iowa Code for gifted and talented…to interpret Iowa Code in relationship to best practices…to consider ways to organize and document gifted and talented programming and services in preparation for your site visit

What We’re NOT Here For……to guarantee compliance on a site visit…to focus on meeting a minimum expectation

Agenda Gifted Children Defined Funding for Gifted and Talented Iowa Code for Gifted and Talented

Why have a written

plan?

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main

thing.--Unknown

Vision Mission BeliefsVision: what we aspire toMission: why we existBeliefs: basic tenets that undergird our programming

Program Mission/Philosophy What do you hope to accomplish

through g/t programming? What attitudes, beliefs, and

assumptions about gifted children and serving them underlie your programming?

Guides everything you do. Supports and is supported by

district mission, vision, beliefs.

Program Evaluation How are we doing? How good is good enough? How will we know when we’re

there? What do we need to improve? What data will answer our

questions?SART

Goals and Performance Measures

Guide programming efforts Related to program evaluation Long-term (think CSIP-type goal) Short-term (think APR-ish)

Identification Choose areas to serve Match identification criteria to

area Use multiple criteria Identifying under-served

populations Identification considerations

Service the strength that brought the

child to your attention in the first

place.--Del Seigle, NAGC Past President

Differentiated Program Align program with goals Align programming with student

need Looks different at different levels Problem areas: K-2 and secondary Consider an array of options to

meet student need (comprehensive) It’s not a club!

Inservice Design For g/t teacher(s), gen ed teachers,

counselors, administrators Nature and needs of gifted children District programming details Relationship to district initiatives

and PD Refer to Chapter 98

– Categorical funds are for the PD needs of teachers of gifted

Staff Qualifications/Staffing Provisions

G/T Endorsement– No more grandparent clause– All endorsed by 2012 - teachers and

coordinators– Waiver process

What are the qualifications of the staff?

Who will staff the program? How will staff be allocated?

Program Evaluation Program Improvement

– Measure progress toward program goals– Weigh district programming against best

practices Ascertain student performance trends Are gifted students making growth?

What does that mean for kids above grade level?

Gifted and Talented Academy

Year 1: September 29November 29February 7April 3June 14-15

Year 2:October 11December 15February 16April 12

Year 3:October 6December 8February 23April 19

Year 4:October 28March 9

Organizing for the Visit Consult the Document Review

Checklist Submit GT documents electronically Use IA Code terms to name files or

to create headers within documents Order as listed on checklist

In Closing……what questions do you have?…what support do you need?