New AIG Coordinators’ Orientation September 2012 Sneha Shah-Coltrane Director, Gifted Education and Advanced Programs

Why we are here… The General Assembly believes that public schools should challenge all students to aim for academic excellence. Article 9B AIG mandate. Every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21 st century. SBE All of us here believe that the needs of AIG learners must be met.

Our Roles State Consultant: To advocate for the needs of AIG students in public schools by providing leadership, guidance and technical assistance regarding AIG issues, policies and practices to multiple stakeholders, including LEAs, families, IHEs, DPI, and other related organizations. AIG: ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! LEA Coordinator: Your thoughts… Coordinate staff’s efforts; make sure they can move forward; Solidifying vision and promoting AIG/ gifted Publicizing; Having a vision; advocate; I am the voice for AIG. Build capacity; Ensure teachers have tools, resources, and strategies; removing barriers Hold AIG staff accountable Support our AIG parents, students, teachers

Current State of AIG in NC Article 9B, legislation to ID, serve, write local plans NC AIG Program Standards Over 160,000 students identified, more served Local AIG Plans – current Fifth Generation –Next due in July Interim Reports last year 114 LEAs and 10 Charters have “Complete” Local AIG Plans 8 AIG Roundtable Regions, active Close to $70 million in state funding, also local AIG Add-On Licensure through IHEs

Historical Perspective Review the NC AIG Program Standards, share observations regarding history of AIG in our state.

Gifted Education in North Carolina Led by… Article 9B, 1996, N.C.G.S. § 115C –State Definition –State mandate to ID & Serve (K-12) –Local plan required per LEA for K-12 –Local plan approved by LEA School Board –Local plan is in effect for three years –Local Plan reviewed by DPI with comments/recommendations; sent back to LEA

State Definition of AIG Students Article 9B (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.5) Academically or intellectually gifted (AIG) students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experiences or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both the intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. (Article 9B, 1996, N.C.G.S. § 115C ).Article 9B, 1996, N.C.G.S. § 115C

AIG State Funding (PRC 034 funds) The General Assembly funds all LEAs for AIG programming. All LEAs receive PRC 034 funds regardless of the number of identified AIG students. LEAs receive funds based on 4% of ADM, if at least 4% is identified. These funds are allocated as part of the general student allocation from DPI. ABCs Transfer Law remains in effect. For , LEAs have received over $71 million in state funds. GA passed has maintained the same allocation for even amidst our economic status. NC is in the top funded states in US* * NAGC’s State of the States, , ,

Use of State PRC 034 Funds: Based on the Program Standards and Article 9B, state AIG funds are intended to be used explicitly for: AIG students, AIG programs and services, and AIG plan and program implementation. Including: –AIG teachers, who are licensed or are currently enrolled in licensure programs. –AIG teacher resources and development –AIG student resources and development –AIG family resources and development –AIG teacher and regular education professional development –Nurturing Programs to cultivate high potential/AIG –Referral, screening and identification support May be transferred per request of your Superintendent, based on legislation. KNOW YOUR BUDGET!!!!

Responses to State Audit 2008 Where are we now? FOCUS: Capacity Building –Internal AIG/C&I Team; cross- agency collaboration –External AIG Regional Leadership Team; AIG Regional Roundtables –AIG Coordinators’ Institute –Active AIG IHE Consortium –On-going technical assistance –Teacher support materials development FOCUS: Program Development –NC AIG Program Standards developed and adopted, 2009 –AIG Plans: Aligned with Standards with strategic areas of focus; Electronic process through APEX –Unpacking AIG Program Standards resource underway; Pockets of Excellence, shared –Charter Schools invited to participate; 9 have plans.

Responses to Audit (cont.) Where are we now? FOCUS: Meaningful Data –NC WISE as authoritative source –NC WISE revisions to ensure effective student profile –More valid student coding –Growth data: developing better understanding –Budget transfer collaboration FOCUS: Monitoring for Growth –Regular communication –Two phase reviews –Mid-term report on goals –Comprehensive comments and feedback –Increased accountability –AIG Plans on DPI website

The NC AIG Program Standards will help to… Guide LEAs to develop, coordinate, and implement thoughtful and comprehensive AIG programs. First major step in building a statewide framework for quality and comprehensive local AIG programs, while honoring local context and flexibility. Better meet the academic, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted learners. Optimally develop AIG students’ potential.

NC AIG Program Standards SYNERGY! DIFFERENTIATED CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION PERSONNEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIPS ACCOUNTABILITY STUDENT IDENTIFICATION AIG LEARNERS

~Explore the Standards ~How does each standard relate to your LEA/Charter? ~Where are you the strongest? ~Where do you need the most improvement?

Synthesis of AIG Program Standards Words from the LEAs themselves Shared Responsibility for school/LEA. Not just gifted for half-hour/day! Connect with other programs. Social and emotional needs too. All types of gifted, under-represented too. Families need to be in the loop, don’t assume. Professional Development for all Data. Meaningful data. Gifted: no longer the forgotten! Purposeful and intentional. What and if we do, matters. Backbone now!

Legislation/Policies Related to AIG Article 9B – AIG Students, N.C.G.S. 115C Article 25 – Admission of Students, Early Admission, N.C.G.S. 115C-364(d). Huskins Bill – Community Colleges for high school, N.C.G.S. 115D-20(4). Revised Intellectually Gifted and Mature Students, Under Age 16, N.C.G.S 115D-1.1. High School Courses in Middle School, SBE GCS-M-001

: Re-visioning of Local AIG Plans and Programs Monitor for Growth! Newly developed plans have been approved by LBEs and sent to DPI. Phase 1 Desk Reviews were completed. Interim Reports completed. See Program Review Overview handout. These plans are for Next plan due Summer 2013.

Details Regarding Plan Development All practices were designated as Maintained, Focused or Future. Certain fields were completed based on the categories. Rationales were constant. Fields include: Rationale, Goals, Description, Sources of Evidence, Comments, Appendix. Draft outline flowchart. Based on Self-Assessment. Online. Pilot for APEX team. LEAs understanding, DPI support were great. Used as pilot for already 12 other major deployments. Print version urged to use, since these will be posted.

Local AIG Plans: Next Steps Know your plan! Dynamic, Guiding Force for implementation of 6 years Prepare for Local AIG Strategic Plan Update process – Transforming your Program webinars, regional meetings Process will be the same! Next plan – July 2013

AIG Child Count in NC WISE Indicate whether a student is identified specifically as AIG Math-only, AIG Reading-only or AIG Both (math and reading); hence, there are three different codes now, AM, AR, AG. Show all students who have been entered in NC WISE previously as AIG Both (code AG). If a student is only identified in one area, the student’s identification will need to be changed to more accurately reflect needs. Indicate twice-exceptional students in NC WISE with both AIG and the EC identifiers. Provide LEAs with three new Reporting Hub reports to assist with this transition, including an error-check report of students who may have been entered in more than one area. Due this upcoming year on April 30, 2012 Comprehensive changes coming with POWERSCHOOL

Institutions of Higher Education offering AIG Add-On Licensure and/or Graduate Programs in Gifted Education Appalachian State Barton College Campbell University Duke University East Carolina University Elon University High Point University Mars Hill College Meredith College Methodist College NC Central University UNC-Charlotte UNC-Pembroke UNC-Wilmington Wingate University 8.12/SSC In NC, a teacher can earn an add-on AIG license through an accredited Institute of Higher Education. Programs are generally 12 semester hours of credit; some offer graduate programs.

DPI AIG Website

Other Related Topics NCVPS AP/IB Early Admittance to K Career and College Promise! (Dual/Huskins) High School in Middle School Governor’s School NC School of the Arts NCSSM

To Dos - Review Make your plan come alive!! Know your LEA’s Plan and Program Know your schools, students Understand your LEA’s budget Maintain data, understand data Advocate – LBE, PAGE, Schools, Administration Seek out Prof Dev –ECU, NCAGT, etc. Part of Regions, attend and participate Keep in touch

NC leading in gifted education… National leader in funding, policies, and legislation! State AIG Program Standards Governor’s School, NCSSM, NCSArts, NCVPS, AP State Fee Grant NCAGT, NAGC, PAGE, Duke TIP, AAGC IHE Consortium Dedicated and high quality professionals Now you!!!

AIG: All Day, Every Day! We must synergize our efforts to ensure that the potential of all AIG learners is optimized! AIG: All Day, Every Day! Sneha Shah-Coltrane Director of Gifted Education and Advanced Programs NC Department of Public Instruction Academic Services and Instructional Support 6307 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC (919)