1. Overview of AIG in NC For Families A Guide for Parents of Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Students in NC’s public schools DPI - 2013

2. Introduction: Why AIG & Overview Parent’s Version of NC AIG Program Standards and AIG Plans’ Delivery www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/academics ervices/gifted/ncaig-program-standards.pdfProgram Standards www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/academics ervices/gifted/ncaig-program-standards.pdf Contact info and other resources

3. Why AIG? The purpose of the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program is to provide challenging educational program for students who perform, or show potential for performing, at high levels of accomplishment. Here in North Carolina, state law requires all school districts to have their own AIG Plan.law This goal is academic excellence and for all students to grow to their potential. We do not want children to be bored in the classroom!

4. Overview of AIG Delivery: STATE: * Funding and laws * State Ed Policies * AIG Program Standards LOCAL ED. AGENCY/LEA * AIG Plan * Local School Board Policies SCHOOL & CLASSROOM * Principal * AIG Coordinator * Teacher STUDENTSTUDENT

5. AIG Funding- in NC In the U.S., education decisions and funding occur mainly at the state level. NC is 4 th highest in state funding to AIG Programs. Counties or towns may contribute additional funds in some states.state level. The NC General Assembly authorizes funds designated for AIG Students based on 4% of Average Daily Membership/ ADM* (average number of students) at $ $1163.07 per pupil for 2012-2013. These funds are allocated as 1% of general student allocation from Department of Public Education/DPI to each school district, or Local Education Agency/LEA.general student allocation.

6. AIG Program Plans The Local AIG Plan is approved by the local Board of Education and submitted to State Board of Education/DPI for comment. DPI assists LEAs with their local AIG program and plan but does not approve local plans. AIG plans must be revised every three years by the LEA. Current local AIG plans will be revised and resubmitted in July 2013 Your LEA/Local Education Agency’s AIG plan Is online. online.

7. AIG Program Standards The appropriate educational services for AIG students are delivered to your child through district, school and classroom practices according to the AIG Plan which follows six standards. These six standards, as described in State Board of Education Policy GCS- U-000, are outlined in following pages.

8. NC AIG Program Standard #1 Standard 1: Student Identification is to be clear, equitable, and comprehensive. Each LEA is to determine their own identification requirements for Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted students using multiple criteria and measurements. In NC, this does not include artistic abilities, leadership, etc. (albeit, those are great traits!) Documented process includes timelines, required forms/communication, placement, reviews and, if necessary, grievance policies.

9. NC AIG Program Standard #2 Standard 2: Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction AIG differentiation includes rigorous instruction and engaging activities adapted for the more advanced learners – so that every child is learning. How this looks in the classroom may differ based on each LEA, school and other factors. Some LEA’s may have special AIG magnet schools. Examples of possible options are given on the following pages based on the school/age level of your child.

10. NC AIG Standard #2 (continued) At the elementary and middle school levels, there might be the following delivery options: flexible grouping of similar learners; varied pacing of how much time is offered for learning possibly through curriculum compacting; “pull out” where students are removed from class for specialized instruction in another area; “push in” where specialist suggests material to be done inside the classroom; and/or Interest centers or Independent projects.

11. NC AIG Standard #2 (continued) More options for K-8 include: NC State Board of Education/SBE Policy GCS-J-001 details early kindergarten admission requirements.GCS-J-001 Grade or subject acceleration is another option that any School Principal has by law for AIG children.accelerationlaw NC SBE Policy GCS-M-001 allows for credit by demonstrated mastery and middle school students to take certain high school courses for graduation creditGCS-M-001 (Acronyms and Gifted Terminology Guides may help!)AcronymsGifted Terminology

12. NC AIG Standard #2 (continued) Many options exist for high school AIG courses: Schools may offer “Honor” classes or Advancement Placement college courses. NC SBE Policy GCS-M- 001 allows for credit by demonstrated mastery.HonorAdvancement Placement GCS-M- 001 NC Virtual Public Schools offers online courses for remedial and acceleration purposes. These can be taken during the school year or over the summer.Virtual Public Schools Many “Early Colleges” also serve high school AIG students.Early Colleges

13. NC AIG Standard #2 (continued) More options for AIG High school students: The Governor's School is a six-week summer residential program funded by NC for intellectually gifted high school students.Governor's School NC School of Science and Math is a residential magnet school for Junior and Senior High School students funded by NC.School of Science and Math

14. NC AIG Standard #3 Standard 3 : Personnel and Professional Development Establishes specific and appropriate professional development requirements for all personnel involved in AIG programs and services, including classroom teachers, counselors, and school administrators. All teachers should know how to differentiate and meet the needs of AIG students. Differentiation does not expect all children to be doing the same thing all the time.

15. NC AIG Standard #4 Standard 4: Comprehensive Programming within entire school community. Communication is necessary to ensure: comprehensive school service to meet the diverse academic, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of AIG students; and effective continuation of K-12 services, especially at key transition points; inclusion of all special subcategories and doubly identified AIG students with learning disabilities. Gifted children are connected to the whole school!

16. NC AIG Standard #5 Standard 5: Partnerships The LEA ensures participation of stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the local AIG program. Engages parents/families in a meaningful way; and Forms partnerships with parents/families, institutions of higher education, local businesses and industry, and other stakeholders within the community to enhance and gain support for AIG programs and services.

17. NC AIG Standard #6 Standard 6: Program Accountability The LEA implements, monitors, and evaluates the local AIG program and plan to ensure that all programs and services are effective. Plans are approved by LEA School Board and sent to DPI for review and comment. Uses and monitors state funds allotted for the local AIG program according to state policy. Data is used to monitor effectiveness of AIG Plan. Advisory AIG Councils include parents and others.

18. Who to Contact: Stakeholder: email Phone #? US & NC Legislatorswww.ncleg.netwww.ncleg.net “who represents me” tab State Board of Edc/o bwest@dpi.state.nc.us State Director, Gifted Education Sneha.ShahColtrane@dpi.nc.gov Your School BoardTo be filled in by presenter Your LEA AIG Coordinator“ Your School PrincipalTo be filled in by parent Your AIG Coordinator“ “:

19. For more information….. NCDPI AIG http://www.ncpublicschools.org/academicservices/gifted/http://www.ncpublicschools.org/academicservices/gifted/ NCAGT: NC Association for Gifted & Talented & NC PAGE/Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education http://www.ncagt.orgwww.ncagt.org Also, many counties have PAGE chapters for parent support and networking. NAGC: National Association for Gifted Children http://www.nagc.org/welcomeparents.aspx http://www.nagc.org/welcomeparents.aspx Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted http://www.sengifted.org/http://www.sengifted.org/ Davidson Institute for Profoundly Gifted www.davidsongifted.org/www.davidsongifted.org/ Hoagies All Things Gifted http://www.hoagiesgifted.orghttp://www.hoagiesgifted.org