Gifted Program at all schools replaced with a single school for the Gifted Tampa Tribune. Tampa, FL
Though some parents are crying foul, the district's new centralized gifted program is faring well, officials say. Parents of gifted children who want to see services offered at home schools have spoken out at Hernando County School Board meetings in recent weeks, urging the board to reconsider offering gifted classes at all schools, instead of just one. About 40% of Gifted children have had to opt-out of the program as they were spending 2-hours on a bus in each direction ot reach the school. Read Full Article.
Don't Overlook Gifted Students
By DEL SIEGLE
The Tampa Tribune
As students throughout Florida settle into the new school year, the time has come for lawmakers and education policymakers to address the looming gifted education crisis. A recent national study by a leading education think tank has confirmed what many of us have long recognized - our education system as a whole is neglecting the needs of our highest-achieving performers, and the majority of our teachers are neither adequately trained nor encouraged to help these students maximize their potential. Florida has earned some above-average marks thanks to a more proactive approach that includes dedicating some state funding to gifted education and requiring that teachers of gifted students receive training. But comprehensive reform at all levels is still needed if we are to ensure students will be well-prepared. Read Full Article.
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference is coming to Florida!
When:
Meeting Dates: Wednesday, October 29 - Sunday, November 2, 2008
Exhibition Dates: Thursday, October 30 - Saturday, November 1, 2008
Where:
Tampa
Ready. Set. Grow.
The conference will feature national experts in the field of gifted education, vendors, students performances, action labs, and a Parents' Day with sessions for children.
Registration is now open. Check the NAGC convention website for more information.
Housing reservations and registration are now open. Note that convention registration closes on September 26.
Florida Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners Available On-line
The Florida’s Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners is the product of the Working on Gifted Issues (WOGI) grant, funded by the State of Florida, Department of Education 2005-2007 and co-sponsored by FLAG. It provides a framework for developing and designing differentiated learning experiences for gifted students that complements the standards and benchmarks outlined in the Florida Sunshine State Standards. The resulting document combines the current research and practices related to educating gifted children and the expertise of a task force consisting of gifted educators, parents, and representatives from the Florida Department of Education. This document is intended to assist educators as they plan outcomes that are appropriate for gifted learners.
The Florida Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners document is available from the FL DOE at: http://etc.usf.edu/flstandards/sss/frameworks.pdf. Also available at the WOGI Frameworks Website are Frameworks presentations as videos for those who have not been able to attend a Frameworks presentation "in person."