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This article explores the impact of regulation revisions on local school boards in Virginia regarding the provision of education for gifted students. It discusses the changes to the components of the local plan, the review process, and the involvement of local advisory committees.
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Virginia School Boards AssociationWytheville, VA • The Role of Local School Boards in Providing Services for Gifted Learners Dr. Donna L. Poland Specialist, Governor’s Schools and Gifted Education March 16, 2011
Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students (8VAC20-10 et. seq.) • Approved by the Virginia Board of Education in July 2010 • Established the basic expectations for school divisions to provide services for gifted students • Provided specific information on each component in a local plan for the education of gifted students
Impact of Regulation Revisions on Local School Boards • Shall approve a comprehensive plan for the education of gifted students • Shall submit a gifted education plan to the VDOE for technical review on a schedule determined by the VDOE • Shall include opportunities for public review in the development of the local plan
Impact of Regulation Revisions on Local School Boards • Shall approve members of the local gifted education advisory committee • Shall annually receive in writing the local advisory committees’ review of effectiveness study and recommendations
Impact of Regulation Revisions on the Components of the Local Plan • Provision of a local operational definition of giftedness • Identification of gifted students K-12 • Continuous and sequential services for gifted students
Impact of Regulation Revisions on the Components of the Local Plan • Policies and procedures that allow access to programs of study and advanced courses at a pace and sequence commensurate with students’ learning needs • Description of the program of differentiated curriculum and instruction demonstrating accelerated and advanced content
Impact of Regulation Revisions on the Components of the Local Plan • Equitable representation of student populations • Emphasis on students from disadvantaged backgrounds, students with limited English proficiency, or students that have a disability
Impact of Regulation Revisions on the Components of the Local Plan • Focus on student outcomes and the academic growth of gifted students • Evidence that the school division provides professional development based on the teacher competencies outlined in 8VAC20-542-310 related to gifted education
Impact of Regulation Revisions on the Components of the Local Plan • Effectiveness review procedures that include multiple criteria and multiple sources of information
Changes to the Local Plan Schedule and Access • Past plans were either on a 2005-2010 or 2006-2011 cycle • Plans need to be updated or extended, with school board approval, for one or two years • VDOE does not need a copy of the plan • Plans must be compliant with the Regulations by the 2012-2013 school year
Changes to the Local Plan Schedule and Access • Cycle (applicable timeframe) of the local plan should be determined by the school division or school board • Plans should be posted to the division Web site and available in printed format upon request
Changes to the VDOE Review Process of Local Plans • VDOE will request the current gifted plan from the school division according to the technical review schedule (Supts. Memo 178-10) • Technical reviews will be regional and facilitated through regional gifted coordinator meetings starting in the fall of 2013
Working with the Local Advisory Committee • School boards shall appoint a local advisory committee composed of parents, school personnel, and other community members reflective of the ethnic and geographical composition of the school division • The committee shall review annually the local plan for the education of gifted students
Working with the Local Advisory Committee • The annual review of the plan shall determine the extent to which the plan for the previous year was implemented • Findings of the annual review of program effectiveness and recommendations shall be submitted in writing to the division superintendent and the local school board
Guidance Documents provided by the VDOE • ‘Understanding the Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students’ document • ‘Local School Boards: Roles and Responsibilities in Gifted Programs’ brochure • ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Local Gifted Education Advisory Committees’ brochure
Guidance Documents provided by the VDOE • ‘Supporting the Identification and Achievement of Twice-Exceptional Students: FAQ’ document • Availability of additional data/reports for gifted coordinators through SSWS
Guidance Documents provided by the VDOE • ‘Reference Guide for the Development and Review of Local Plans for the Education of the Gifted’ document (under review) • Revised ‘Local Plan Template’ http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/index.shtml
Questions? • Contact Information • Donna L. Poland, Ph.D. • Virginia Department of Education • Donna.Poland@doe.virginia.gov • Phone: 804-225-2884