2013-2014 Gifted and Talented Education Grant Application Now Available

The application package for the 2013-2014 Gifted and Talented Education Grant is now available.  The purpose of this grant is to support systematic and continuous learning opportunities not ordinarily provided in the classroom to meet the educational needs of students with gifts and talents, grades K-12, in the areas of general intellectual, specific academic, creativity, leadership, and the visual and performing arts. All CESAs, Milwaukee Public Schools, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and institutions within the University of Wisconsin System are eligible to apply.  The maximum award for an applicant is $30,000.  Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2013.  Please note that funding is contingent upon allocations in the State of Wisconsin Biennial Budget. Click here to access a copy of the application package.

2013-2014 Gifted and Talented Education Grant Reviewer Benchmarks

The Reviewer Benchmarks can provide additional guidance for 2013-2014 Gifted and Talented Education Grant application.  Click here to access a copy.

2013-2014 G/T Grant Writing Webinar

A grant-writing webinar was recently offered by Chrys Mursky, Education Consultant for Gifted/Talented and Advanced Placement.  Unfortunately, the audio did not record.  You can, however, download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that she used here.  Feel free to contact Chrys with questions.

New Website and Navigation Format

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has migrated to a new website format. In addition to the different look, navigating has also changed. To access the G/T pages in all browsers, use a drop-down menu from the "Gifted & Talented" label on the Content and Learning left navigation bar. Click on the arrow to expand the selection. Then, click on the information you'd like to access.

Wisconsin RtI Stories

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the Educational Communications Board, has produced Wisconsin RtI Stories. Share the journeys of three Wisconsin schools as they put RtI into practice to increase success for all students. This multi-media resource features four high-quality videos that provide an introduction to RtI and a look at the three components of an RtI system: Collaboration; High Quality Instruction; and Balanced Assessment. Each video is accompanied by a Conversation Guide to use for self-reflection or as prompts for collegial discussions. In addition, there is a Go Deeper section that features uncut bonus videos. You might be particularly interested in the bonus videos in "Collaboration," where you can sit in on two Student Intervention Team meetings for a student with gifts and talents. Click here to access Wisconsin RtI Stories.

Gifted and Talented Teacher License

Wisconsin offers an add-on Gifted and Talented Teacher license. In order to receive this certification, you must already hold a valid Wisconsin teaching license. Presently, there is one approved program, jointly offered through UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater. Click here to find out additional information.

Common Core State Standards and Gifted Education

Forty-six states have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and forty-five states have adopted the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Development of these state-based standards was coordinated by the National Governor's Association (NGA) and the Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). They are aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace, so stress rigor, depth, clarity, and coherence. The CCSS draw from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Frameworks in Reading and Writing and the Trends in International and Science Study (TIMMS) report in mathematics.

While the CCSS are strong, they are not sufficiently advanced to meet the needs of most students with gifts and talents. Nationally, we are recommending three content adaptations of these standards:

• Accelerate and streamline.
• Add complexity and depth and incorporate opportunities to create and to be innovative.
• Use cross-disciplinary content and integrate standards from two or more disciplines.

In addition to these content modifications, it's important that we also differentiate classroom assessments to encourage higher level reasoning and creative production.

Read more about the Common Core State Standards and Gifted Education in a White Paper published by the National Association for Gifted Children. Click here to access a copy.

Two new publications are also now available:

• Using the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts with Gifted and Advanced Learners.

• Using the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics with Gifted and Advanced Learners (jointly published by the National Association for Gifted Children, the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics).

Purchase these resources through the National Association for Gifted Children (discount price for members) or through Prufrock Press.