Steve Jobs

1. leadership conferenceApril 8, 2014Sherry Myers, PresenterThe Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented students

2. 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.

3. Steve Jobs (cont.) Because the people who are crazy enough To think they can change the world, Are the ones who do. --Steve Jobs

4. 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

5. State Plan – Recommended and Exemplary To offer guidance to districts and campuses, standards for “recommended” and “exemplary” performance are included as viable targets.

6. 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

7. 3 possible ratings for each criterion • Acceptable • Recommended • Exemplary

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. A Rationale for Gifted Services Texas Administrative Code19 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Texas State Plan Link http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6420 English & Spanish

15. 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

16. 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

17. State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights • 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

18. State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights • 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

19. State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights • 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

20. State Plan – Key Elements & Highlights • 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

21. Evaluating a District’s Gifted Services If 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!

22. 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

23. 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)

24. As a campus rep • Testing • Identifying / scheduling for service needs • Communicating with parents • Providing instruction

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

26. Communication & Documentation • Planned • On-going • Publicity for porgram • Placed on calendars at beginning of year (priority!) Examples: Yearly Timeline Identification “To Do” List Program Services Report

27. ACISD - State Plan is the Foundation ACISD GT Program Board Presentations Program Evaluation Parent Sessions GT Contact Meetings Program Improvement Professional Development District GT Program Manual Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students

28. 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

29. Thanks for serving GT students! Closing comments, questions……….