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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Guest Post: Put Teeth in Gifted and Talented Laws

TALENT ACT
Frederick Stichnoth, fred.stichnoth@...
May 2, 2013
            We can put teeth behind the GT laws already on the books at the MCPS and State levels. More teeth means it's more likely that MCPS will serve GT kids.
            GTA and GCC. Our two local GT organizations should put this on their websites and get behind the effort.  
            Contact U.S. Congress: request co-sponsor. The Talent Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate (by Senator Mikulski and two other Senators). The Talent Act is expected to be introduced in the House within the next week or so.
            We can support it by asking Senator Cardin to co-sponsor the bill:
Cardin, Benjamin L. - (D - MD)
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Contact: www.cardin.senate.gov/contact/
            Then, when the bill is introduced in the House, we should ask our Representatives to co-sponsor the bill (click on the Representative's name to get email access):
District
Name
Party
Phone
1
Harris, Andy
R
202-225-5311
2
Ruppersberger, Dutch
D
202-225-3061
3
Sarbanes, John P.
D
202-225-4016
4
Edwards, Donna F.
D
202-225-8699
5
Hoyer, Steny H.
D
202-225-4131
6
Delaney, John
D
202-225-2721
7
Cummings, Elijah
D
202-225-4741
8
Van Hollen, Chris
D
202-225-5341
Another way to send these emails is through the Council for Exceptional Children on-line email message platform:http://capwiz.com/cek/issues/alert/?alertid=62497466
           
    What does the Talent Act do? The Talent Act supports professional development for GT teachers, requires MSDE and MCPS to include in their Title 1 plans steps they will take to support GT services, requires more GT performance data transparency, and supports GT research and development.
           
    The Talent Act specifically focuses on African-American, Hispanic and FARMS students (it even defines “excellence gap”), and it extends to GT students (whether or not identified) in general.  The Act notes that GT students make up 6-10 percent of students (correcting MCPS 3 or 40 percent).
           
Links to more info.
S. 512: http://www.nagc.org/uploadedFiles/Advocacy_and_Legislation/TALENT/S.512.pdf
NAGC Talent Act webpage: http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=7804
NAGC Talent Act Summary:http://www.nagc.org/uploadedFiles/Advocacy_and_Legislation/TALENT/TALENT%20problem-solution%20(3-8-13).pdf
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 29, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    The current MCPS GT program is a joke. It only means more work for the student and not an enriched learning environment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janis SartucciMay 29, 2013 at 11:01 AM

      Next BOE meeting is Thursday, May 30, 2013. 15 slots are available for public comment. Will any parents of GT students show up and speak to the BOE?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 29, 2013 at 2:38 PM

    @Anonymous, the current MCPS GT program sounds like it is decades old, and nothing new. Over a decade ago, for example, at Beall ES,there was no program. When parents pushed, there was more work for the child. Intead of 10 math problems, the GT child gets to do 15. Finish their work more quickly than the other kids in the class? The GT child can 'help out' helping other children. However, at some green zone schools, like Somerset ES or Luxmanor ES, the entire school is pretty much 'GT.' Can't afford to live in Somerset? Too bad for you. Check your zip code and see if your child qualifies for the GT program. Because on the ground, that is how the MCPS GT program works. Hasn't changed in decades.

    ReplyDelete

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