Gifted and Talented EducationAcademic Excellence :

The gifted and talented program provides leadership, coordination and consultation services for educators, administrators and parents of gifted students. The program supports schools in responding to the needs of gifted and talented students and collaborates with postsecondary institutions, networks, and others interested in gifted and talented education.

Minnesota is a local control state, which allows districts to select the method for identifying students who qualify for Gifted and Talented services. Gifted and Talented programs, by design, capitalize on the special cognitive needs of students and should be distinguished from enrichment activities available to all students.

ANNOUNCING---

Gifted and Talented Education Symposium 2010
The second annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium will be held in Austin, Minnesota June 13-17. An Administrator’s Day session concurrent to the general symposium will be held Monday, June 14.

This opportunity for educators, psychologists, counselors, administrators and parents is made possible through a Hormel Foundation grant in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education and Austin Public Schools. The intensive educational experience has been designed to foster greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and talented learners for both novice and experienced participants. The invited speakers include returning and new presenters representing the finest and most knowledgeable experts in the field. Thirty-two new sessions will focus on foundational knowledge, creativity, curriculum strategies, and social and emotional needs.

Keynote presenters are: Lenore Skenazy, Dr. Malik Henfield, Dr. Richard Cash, and Dr. Mary Slade. Dr. Susan Baum will moderate panelists Dr. Felicia Dixon, Dr. Jann Leppien and Dr. Terry Neu.

New for 2010 is a pre-conference session presented by Dr. Karen Rogers and Wendy Behrens for those with limited experience or exposure to best practices in gifted education. The session will be held Sunday, June 13 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Austin Holiday Inn and Conference Center.

Online registration is now open!

For complete information, visit the Austin Public School District Website and access symposium information located under Gifted and Talented Symposium 2010.

Calendar of MDE Workshops, Trainings and Meetings
The Minnesota Department of Education, in response to input from Website visitors, is pleased to announce the launch of an agency-wide calendar. The calendar includes all MDE-sponsored training, meetings and events. Search and sort features allow you to find events by date, title, location and sponsoring program area. View the calendar by using the “Calendar” link at the top of this page.

Minnesota Scholars of Distinction program nurtures and recognizes distinguished achievement by highly motivated students. Each speciality area was developed through partnerships of educators, business and others. To earn this recognition, students must complete required work in Minnesota's Academic Standards, demonstrate mastery of complex subject matter and apply their knowledge to challenging projects. Areas of focus: Applied Geography, Leadership, Mathematics, Science and Theater Arts. View Minnesota Scholars of Distinction Success Stories.

Parent Information on Acceleration. Acceleration is an intervention that moves students through an educational program at a more rapid rate than their age-mates. The goal of acceleration is to tailor the level and complexity of the curriculum to the ability and academic readiness of individual children. Read the Frequently Asked Questions.

Legislation
Minnesota Statute §120B.15 GIFTED and TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAM sections (a) and (b) permit school districts and charter schools to identify students who are gifted and talented, develop and evaluate programs to serve them locally and provide staff development to ensure that they have access to challenging educational programs. The legislation also provides guidance for districts to adopt procedures for assessing and identifying students.

Section (c) directs school districts and charter schools to adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students that include an assessment of students' readiness and motivation for acceleration and a match between the curriculum and the students' academic needs. (Districts may wish to implement policies that reflect gifted and talented best practices, consistent with Minnesota Statute §120B.15.)

Gifted and talented revenue (Minnesota Statute §126C.10 Subd. 2 (b)) provides school districts and charter schools with $12 times a district’s adjusted marginal cost pupil units (AMCPU). Uses of this revenue:
1. Identify gifted and talented students.
2. Provide education programs for gifted and talented students.
3. Provide staff development to prepare teachers to best meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students.
 

The Gifted and Talented Advisory Council will meet several times during the school year. View the information sheet below for member and meeting information.

Contact:  Wendy Behrens, Gifted and Talented Education Specialist - 651-582-8786.

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