WSFCS Parent Advisory Committee Meeting: Elementary Gifted Services Overview November 20, 2012

Curriculum Committee AG Recommendations for Schools could: 1.continue self-contained, resource, and/or combinations of the two models 2.move to a small student AG classroom grouping with differentiated instruction  HAG program was not impacted by any AG program changes  No school had to give up any additional non-AG funds for  AG office would develop a method to evaluate overall AG program and collect data to monitor both models by Summer 2013

Where are we now?

Cluster Schools Ashley Gibson Diggs-Latham Forest Park Konnoak North Hills Mineral Springs Rural Hall Old Town Sedge Garden Speas Union Cross

Cluster Schools Training Support March Overview of Cluster Grouping model by Dina Brulles June day gifted instructional strategies training by Susan Winebrenner August to present-- Monthly support meetings focused on specific teacher need issues November Kelly Hedrick (Differentiation support) Summer 2012-Summer 2013—1 AG teacher licensure provided to each cluster school

Collective support for All AG Teachers

Professional Development District-wide efforts focused on: –Increasing AG teacher licensure (55 teachers enrolled in programs to be completed by Fall 2013) –Completing Inquiry-based learning strategies through PBL aligned with the Common Core and Essential Standards –Developing accelerated curriculum units for the Common Core for AG/HAG –Assigning mentors for new AG teachers –Participating in a 5 part series to orient new or continuing AG teachers on the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted students

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement of AG program

Evaluation Planning –Working with Dr. Judy Penny and the department of Research and Evaluation to determine data points for most effectively evaluating AG program –Preliminary data collected beginning in June 2012 Survey of needs of all AG teachers Survey of Cluster teachers to get baseline of understanding of differentiation and training needs to best support their development

What are the next steps?

 Parent newsletters will go out in December informing parents of:  AG state accountability sub-group  Links to Parent surveys to determine AG program effectiveness  Information on supporting social/emotional needs of gifted students and dates for book study  Instructions on providing feedback and submitting concerns regarding AG program  AG student enrichment camp June 2013  Updates on writing of new AIG plan for 2013 Upcoming Information

QUESTIONS?