1. Best Practices in Gifted Education Site Visit Preparation Mary Schmidt Gifted Education Consultant mschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us 800.255.0405 or 270.0405 ext. 14375

2. What We’re Here For.. …to examine best practices in educating the gifted …to learn requirements of Iowa Code for gifted and talented …to interpret Iowa Code in relationship to best practices …to consider ways to organize and document gifted and talented programming and services in preparation for your site visit

3. What We’re NOT Here For… …to guarantee compliance on a site visit …to focus on meeting a minimum expectation

4. Agenda  Gifted Children Defined  Funding for Gifted and Talented  Iowa Code for Gifted and Talented

5. Why have a written plan?

6. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. --Unknown

7. Program Mission/Philosophy  What do you hope to accomplish through g/t programming?  What attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions about gifted children and serving them underlie your programming?  Guides everything you do.  Supports and is supported by district mission, vision, beliefs.

8. Program Evaluation  How are we doing?  How good is good enough?  How will we know when we’re there?  What do we need to improve?  What data will answer our questions? SART

9. Goals and Performance Measures  Guide programming efforts  Related to program evaluation  Long-term (think CSIP-type goal)  Short-term (think APR-ish)

10. Identification  Choose areas to serve  Match identification criteria to area  Use multiple criteria  Identifying under-served populations  Identification considerations

11. Service the strength that brought the child to your attention in the first place. --Del Seigle, NAGC President

12. Differentiated Program  Align program with goals  Align programming with student need  Looks different at different levels  Problem areas: K-2 and secondary  Consider an array of options to meet student need (comprehensive)  It’s not a club!

13. Inservice Design  For g/t teacher(s), gen ed teachers, counselors, administrators  Nature and needs of gifted children  District programming details  Relationship to district initiatives and PD  Staff Development in Gifted Programs –Summer 2010, U of I –Summer 2010 Heartland AEA (if enough interest)

15. Staff Qualifications/Staffing Provisions  G/T Endorsement –No more grandparent clause –All endorsed by 2012 - teachers and coordinators –Waiver process  What are the qualifications of the staff?  Who will staff the program?  How will staff be allocated?

16. Program Evaluation  Program Improvement –Measure progress toward program goals –Weigh district programming against best practices  Ascertain student performance trends

17. Gifted and Talented Academy Year 1: September 29 December 8 February 23 April 13 June 15-16 Year 2: October 13 December 1 February 16 April 6

18. Organizing for the Visit  Consult the Document Review Checklist  Use binder with tabs or labeled files OR create a Wiki or Webpage  Use IA Code terms to label  Order as listed on checklist

19. In Closing… …what questions do you have? …what support do you need?