"Each person has the right to learn and to be challenged to learn at the most appropriate level where growth proceeds most effectively." "Building a community of learners into a community of leaders." The 2011-2012 GATE Brochure is now available. |
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Program Development
The Bexley City Schools have offered gifted education services for more than 25 years. Over time, the services have grown and evolved in response to the changing needs of the students, schools, and community. Throughout the 2003-2004 school year, a committee was convened to conduct a formal review of district gifted services. As a result of this review, the committee submitted a number of recommendations to the Bexley Board of Education, providing new energy and direction for the further development of services. The following summarizes our accomplishments so far, current initiatives, and goals for the coming years.
Accomplishments (2004-2009)
- Used the National Association for Gifted Children Pre-K - Grade 12 Gifted Program Standards as guiding principles for program revision, focusing on the program design, identification, and curriculum & instruction standards
- Expanded services from a single humanities-based program to a range of services, including increased collaboration and consultation between gifted specialists and general education teachers to support gifted students in a wider range of grades and content areas
- Restructured services to provide a gifted intervention specialist within each elementary and middle school building, allowing more flexibility and programming options
- Revised identification procedures for the areas of Superior Cognitive Ability and Specific Academic Abilities
- Consulted with a parent advisory committee
- Developed the GATE websitee to inform the parents and community on topics related to gifted education in Bexley
- Implemented a number of general enrichment opportunities (Battle of the Books, Math Club, Power of the Pen, Future Cities, Literary Arts Magazine, Creative Writing Circle, Stock Market Group, etc.)
- Developed curriculum units based on state content standards as part of the continuum of Language Arts services in grades 4-8
- Developed Written Education Plans for students receiving services, implemented beginning with the 4th grade class in fall 2006
- Developed policies for grade-level and subject-area acceleration, and implemented procedures for subject-area acceleration in math
- Expanded the high-level continuum of math services, including adding more options for students in grades 9-12
- Obtained Gifted Coordinator services through the Education Service Center of Central Ohio
Current Initiatives (2009-2010)
- Working to provide formal and informal professional development opportunities for staff members, including regular colloboration and consultation between gifted intervention specialists and general education teachers
- Reviewing data to determine what services best fit the existing student needs in the district
- Working to incorporate the adopted Best Practices of each building into gifted services
- Continuing development and expansion of the district GATE website
- Updating and digitalizing student identification records to reflect a full profile of student learning and progress over time
Ongoing Goals
- Continue program development in order to fulfill all NAGC program standards
- Develop a full continuum of services which addresses a variety of student learning needs at all grade levels and in all content areas
- Increase resources and staffing as needed to support intentional gifted services in grade K-12
- Implement procedures for the identification of all areas of giftedness, as defined by ODE, in all grades
- Full compliance with state rule and law regarding the identification and service of gifted students
- Foster a community of support and respect for individual differences by providing education on the diverse needs of gifted students