Changes to Gifted Plan

[dpip...@cox.net]

Hello,

I wanted to give everyone an update:

The plan does not state that teachers endorsed in gifted education or
working towards endorsement will provide instruction to gifted
students. Apparently, CPS thinks that the wording below is somehow
the same. However, they are unwilling to put the statement from 2008
in the plan. According to CPS this was a goal not a policy!! So, now
the plan states that it is a goal and some specifics are written
regarding staff development.

Second, there is nothing about having a homogeneous grouping option or
any specifics regarding cluster policy. There is nothing in the plan
regarding gifted students being clusters with other high ability
learners or a goal of 50% gifted. Yet, CPS states that the 2008
components are in the current plan or these policies are not required
in the plan. So, there is no transparency regarding grouping. There
would be nothing to hold anyone accountable.


According to the information sent to me by the Gifted Director, CPS
will be adding the following to the gifted plan:

: Continue to provide and promote opportunities for graduate courses
leading to endorsement in gifted education so as to meet the goal that
all teachers implementing the gifted education curricula for students
identified as gifted are endorsed in gifted education.

In addition to our division’s staff development, each school is
required to provide additional staff development for all faculty.
Staff development opportunities are offered to promote understanding
of the use of rubrics, metacognitive strategies, checklists, and other
methods to assist students with feedback from multiple sources. The
seven specialists, five elementary, and two middle school specialists,
endorsed in gifted education also provide staff development for all
staff at individual schools.

Classroom teachers attend workshops on the characteristics of gifted
children and the implementation of concept-based curriculum. Training
opportunities also provide for teachers through the CPS curriculum
framework, a structure for how the academic needs of the gifted child
should be met through acceleration, enrichment, and extensions to the
CPS standard program of studies, as well as challenges, competitions,
and extra-curricular activities. Specific instructional strategies
include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), mathematics
acceleration, scientific inquiry and investigation, historical
analysis and research, independent research, and persuasive writing
and speaking with evidence to support an opinion. Instruction is
modified by content, process, and product. Teachers of the gifted
recognize that students differ and, therefore, require differing tasks
presented in numerous ways to maximize the potential and address
talent.

Training is required for all teachers and opportunities are provided
for teachers to earn endorsement. Chesapeake Public Schools has
contracted with the University of Virginia to offer the four
endorsement courses. Teachers are also provided the opportunity
through CaseNex to become endorsed through online classes. Teaching
strategies and assessments appropriate for the gifted are addressed in
these courses. The goal is that all teachers implementing the gifted
education curricula for students identified as gifted are endorsed in
gifted education.



Deborah Piper

[myty...@aol.com]

Deb - Have you sent this great summary to the school board members?  FAST=))

 

THANKS!

 

Kym

Hello,

I wanted to give everyone an update:

The plan does not state that teachers endorsed in gifted education or
working towards endorsement will provide instruction to gifted
students. Apparently, CPS thinks that the wording below is  somehow
the same. However, they are unwilling to put the statement from 2008
in the plan. According to CPS this was a goal not a policy!! So, now
the plan states that it is a goal and some specifics are written
regarding staff development.

Second, there is nothing about having a homogeneous grouping option or
any specifics regarding cluster policy. There is nothing in the plan
regarding gifted students being clusters with other high ability
learners or a goal of 50% gifted. Yet, CPS states that the 2008
components are in the current plan or these policies are not required
in the plan. So, there is no transparency regarding grouping. There
would be nothing to hold anyone accountable.


According to the information sent to me by the Gifted Director, CPS
will be adding the following to the gifted plan:

:  Continue to provide and promote opportunities for graduate courses
leading to endorsement in gifted education so as to meet the goal that
all teachers implementing the gifted education curricula for students
identified as gifted are endorsed in gifted education.

In addition to our division’s staff development, each school is
required to provide additional staff development for all faculty.
Staff development opportunities are offered to promote understanding
of the use of rubrics, metacognitive strategies, checklists, and other
methods to assist students with feedback from multiple sources. The
seven specialists, five elementary, and two middle school specialists,
endorsed in gifted education also provide staff development for all
staff at individual schools.

Classroom teachers attend workshops on the characteristics of gifted
children and the implementation of concept-based curriculum. Training
opportunities also provide for teachers through the CPS curriculum
framework, a structure for how the academic needs of the gifted child
should be met through acceleration, enrichment, and extensions to the
CPS standard program of studies, as well as challenges, competitions,
and extra-curricular activities. Specific instructional strategies
include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), mathematics
acceleration, scientific inquiry and investigation, historical
analysis and research, independent research, and persuasive writing
and speaking with evidence to support an opinion. Instruction is
modified by content, process, and product. Teachers of the gifted
recognize that students differ and, therefore, require differing tasks
presented in numerous ways to maximize the potential and address
talent.

Training is required for all teachers and opportunities are provided
for teachers to earn endorsement.  Chesapeake Public Schools has
contracted with the University of Virginia to offer the four
endorsement courses.  Teachers are also provided the opportunity
through CaseNex to become endorsed through online classes.  Teaching
strategies and assessments appropriate for the gifted are addressed in
these courses.  The goal is that all teachers implementing the gifted
education curricula for students identified as gifted are endorsed in
gifted education.



Deborah Piper

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[Deborah]

I will send it but it won’t do any good. Good news is that Kenny doesn’t need a cast, he can stay in the split for another week and the sling for an additional 3 weeks. The Doc said the break was small and he was more worried about it getting really stiff, etc.  After a week or so Kenny can try to move it around a little and do some self P.T.

 

Deb

[Deborah]

I must apologize, I did not realize that this was an email from PAGE. I thought it was directly from Kym.