IPPA PTA - Legislative update - April 2013

[IPPA PTA]

Hello IPPA PTA members and friends,

 

Last week we had our last general meeting of the school year which covered the topic of Legislation for Gifted and Talented.  We had a very engaging and enlightening meeting with our guest speaker, Cathy Greene, a director of IAGC (Illinois Association of Gifted Children).

 

We did learn about the health of the gifted and talented programs in the surrounding communities as well as statewide.  I do feel that I need to set the record straight for those of you that were at the meeting.  I misspoke when I said that Hinsdale was looking to get rid of their program.  They did make changes to their program based on funding, it is indeed being offered in their school district. 

 

Illinois STATS:

-Does the state have a definition of Gifted and Talented?  YES, in the state statute.

-Are districts required to follow the definition? YES

-Does the state mandate services for G&T Education?  NO

 

Illinois and bordering States for Gifted and Talented funding: (2010-2011)

•       IL $0 for (# students data not collected)

•       WI $263,500 for 872,311 students

•       IN $12.5m for 114,024 students

•       MO $0 for 39,358 students

•       IA $34.8m for 43,967 students

•       KY $6.6m for 110,453

 

Dr. Patrick Nolten, Executive Director of Research & Assessment for D204, recently shared a statistic with us.  For PA enrollment, D204 is minimally predicting 1,020 students at the elementary level (2^nd -5^th grade).  D204 has 21 Elementary schools.

We will have the Middle School numbers shortly.  (due to the “rain” days, the letters are going out now)

 

There are two pieces of legislation that need your attention.  I have attached a synopsis of how you can help by sending out correspondence to our local government representatives.  All the work is done for you, you just need to click on the links and either use our sample letter or write your own letter.

 

Looking forward:

We will be sending out the MS PA admission numbers once we receive them.  We will also summarize what our neighboring school districts have done and/or are doing with their G&T programs.

 

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions.

 

Respectfully,

IPPA PTA Board