The State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education (SACGTE) met on Sept. 15 to discuss and develop recommendations for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) based on its previously established strategic priorities.
The council’s purpose is to make recommendations regarding the provision of educational services for gifted and talented students in Kentucky’s education system. The three priorities – equity, accommodations, and social and emotional support – guide the council’s work, with each priority having its own committee.
Equity
One of the group’s recommendations was that KDE should highlight the benefits of gifted and talented education to districts and schools through mechanisms such as regional cooperatives.
“The more ears you have around the table understanding how gifted and talented (education) can impact school and district data, the better off we would be,” said Katie Booth, a high school teacher in Scott County.
The committee recommended that KDE support education leaders in appropriately identifying gifted and talented students through guidance on best practices. Its recommendations include a diagnostic process that includes gifted and talented students as part of the needs assessment for each Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) and Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP).
Accommodations
The committee recommended that KDE revise Section 3 of its gifted and talented education handbook, clarifying the provision of accommodations during gifted and talented evaluations for students who receive special education services as part of their Individualized Education Program. The group discussed twice-exceptional students or students with documented exceptional ability and disability.
Social and Emotional Support
The committee also recommended that KDE include gifted and talented students as a subgroup identifier for district and school data disaggregation. It recommended that KDE have gifted and talented students as a subcategory in state reports. Suggestions included preparation for pre-service teachers, counselors and administrators on gifted and talented education, emphasizing an understanding of gifted and talented behaviors, stressors, triggers and unique needs.
The next SACGTE meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17.
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