Date: 03/08/2006
Final
Gifted Advisory Committee
COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
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07:43 AM -- Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the co-chairman, Senator Windels.
07:44 AM -- State Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education
Marilyn Chappell, chairman, State Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education, and Jacquelin Medina, Colorado Department of Education, came to the table to present an overview of gifted education in the state. Two hand-outs were provided to committee members (Attachments A and B). Ms. Chappell explained that gifted students had needs that must be met and that these students must be challenged with appropriate resources. She spoke to the barriers that may prevent identification of some populations of gifted students.
07:47 AM
Ms. Chappell provided background on the State Advisory Committee, which advises the State Board of Education on issues with gifted education. She indicated that certain issues are under discussion in the gifted education community. She described the issues around gifted students at the beginning and end of the K-12 spectrum, specifically gifted children ready to enter kindergarten and high school students in need of appropriate instruction. She suggested that another issue can be how much to mandate gifted education, or whether to have gifted instruction be an issue of choice.
07:50 AM
Ms. Medina indicated that she would provide data about the status of gifted students in Colorado's public schools. She said that the current theme for gifted education is "building leadership capacity in gifted education." The demographics Ms. Medina depicted show that 6.5 percent of the total state public school enrollment are identified as gifted students. Approximately 17 percent of the gifted population are eligible for free and reduced lunch. According to Ms. Medina, identification of giftedness concerns specific academics, general cognition, creativity, visual arts, performing arts, music, and leadership.
07:56 AM
Ms. Medina responded to questions about the demographic data she had provided and the potential socio-economic factors in the identification of gifted students. The gender breakdown of the gifted population is about 51 percent male and 49 percent female. She said that early entry of four-year olds into kindergarten has been a recent issue in gifted education, with 14 of these children enrolling for 2005-06. Representative King asked questions about the "twice exceptional" students, who may be gifted and have an identified learning disability.
08:03 AM
Ms. Medina continued her presentation with an overview gifted and talented state expenditures based on FY 2004-05 figures. She discussed the areas that have been identified as inadequately funded in a state survey, with top responses including qualified personnel and professional development. Ms. Medina indicated that the Joint Budget Committee had requested estimations for further study around funding for gifted and talented and that this information is included in one of the hand-outs (Attachment B).
08:09 AM
Ms. Medina spoke about the time line for the state strategic plan for gifted education. She said that local administrative units are now setting three-year goals with annual objectives. She described the support and guidance provided by the State Board of Education. Ms. Medina responded to questions about the progress for gifted and talented education in small districts and through Boards of Cooperative Services (BOCES). The discussion continued around student issues, including the use of data analysis of Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results.
08:18 AM
Ms. Medina described support systems for gifted education: local policy and data analysis, professional development, university programs, and regional networks. She defined legislative support in terms of accountability, state accreditation, the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA), and the "No Child Left Behind Act."
08:21 AM
Ms. Chappell made concluding remarks about initiatives that concern: amending the ECEA to align with other law and to reflect high expectations, postsecondary enrollment options, and the issue of four-year olds who are ready for kindergarten. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss gifted and talented education with the committee members. Senator Bacon commented on the difficulties that school districts may have in allocating resources to gifted education, particularly small districts. Ms. Medina responded to Senator Bacon's comments and spoke to the paradigm shift for gifted education toward direct instruction rather than through stand-alone programs.
08:29 AM
Ms. Medina responded to additional questions about serving gifted students through general education courses. She also said that the department has made efforts to apply for federal grants for on-line gifted education programs.
08:32 AM
Ms. Chappell made several additional comments about serving gifted students in small, rural school districts. Senator Bacon and Representative Todd made additional comments.
08:36 AM
The committee adjourned.