Meeting+the+Challenges+of+Chapter+16

Barbara Thrush reviewed Chapter 16 and facilitated discussion around compliance. She discussed how the State monitors schools for continuous improvement and reviewed the State and self-evaluation forms.

Following are points that resonate for LMSD:
 * there is currently support for gifted certification or endorsement at PDE
 * students may be evaluated for gifted services once per school year--not calendar year
 * PDE looks at all documents for monitored schools and pays close attention that academic functioning (present levels) are not "cookie cutter" as well as legitimate dates
 * subject teachers are expected to "do gifted" in their classrooms
 * regular ed teachers should recieve SDI for all gifted students
 * all teachers and parents are to have gifted in-service opportunities
 * parents should be offered procedural safeguards at every GIEP meeting
 * there is no limit on how long a student can remain on monitoring status
 * to exit rising seniors, we can use box #4 on the NORA and write it in during the second semester of Juior year (there does not need to be another meeting at the end of senior year)

Also:

- Chapter 16 revision is currently underway; a draft will be available soon, followed by hearings and then a final revision - the state is trying to have IEP's and GIEP's more aligned; however speech and language doesn't quite fit with "single plan" -school districts must provide training in gifted education to regular education teachers, not just mention opportunities -school districts must have information about gifted services located where parents can easily obtain the information -THERE IS NO LIMIT TO HOW LONG A STUDENT CAN REMAIN ON MONITORING STATUS...I know that this was already mentioned but I think it is such an important piece of information

Also: Most of my points have already been covered, but I would like to stress how important I feel it is that regular ed. teachers be provided training in gifted education.