Citizens Advisory Committee

for Gifted and Talented

Education

Annual Report to the

Board of Education

October 8, 2012

2011-2012 Charge

“Solicit public input on the status of

gifted education in Harford County

Public Schools that can be used to

improve gifted education.”

• Input from a variety of stakeholders

• Surveys and community forums

ONLINE SURVEY

Online Survey

Open 9/2/11 – 2/1/12

• Available on HCPS website

• Announced via email from HCPS

Communications Office

•Also communicated via Dagger, Patch,

School GT programs, and PTA

Participants

n = 1,421 Elementary 38%

Middle 33%

High 29%

1 = Too Easy, 2 = Somewhat Easy,

3 = Neither Too Easy nor Too Difficult,

4 = Challenging, 5 = Extremely Challenging

Grade Level Mean Rating

Overall (K-12) 2.85

Elementary 2.67

Middle School 2.92

High School 3.07

“How satisfied are you with the level

of rigor in your child’s classes?”

“How satisfied are you with the gifted

and talented services provided by your

child’s school.”

1 = Unsatisfied, 2 = Somewhat Unsatisfied,

3 = Neither Satisfied nor Unsatisfied,

4 = Somewhat satisfied, 5 = Satisfied

Grade Level Mean rating

Overall K-12 2.67

Elementary 2.80

Middle 2.38

High 2.79

“How satisfied are you with the level of

communication regarding the GT

program?”

1 = Unsatisfied, 2 = Somewhat Unsatisfied,

3 = Neither Satisfied nor Unsatisfied,

4 = Somewhat Satisfied, 5 = Satisfied

Grade Level Mean Rating

Overall K-12 1.95

Elementary 1.99

Middle 1.86

High 2.01

“If your child receives GT services, how did you find out?”

Grade Level Response

Elementary 12.6% Figured it out on my own 14% Received a letter from the school

Middle 6.7% Figured it out on my own 4.6% Received a letter

High 7.7% Figured it out on my own 5.4% Received a letter

Perceived Value

“How important is it for HCPS to provide services

to students who are identified as Gifted and

Talented?”

1= Unimportant, 5= Extremely Important

Grade Level Mean rating

Overall K-12 4.67

Elementary 4.72

Middle 4.72

High 4.58

Online Survey • Options for participants to write

in additional information • Over 630 written comments • Analyzed and sorted by theme

and grade level

Open Responses: Elementary

“What other services would you like HCPS to offer GT students?”

• Magnet or center schools with full-time services for gifted learners

• Ability grouping in reading and math with both enrichment and acceleration, more rigor

• More time with GT teacher; full-time GT teacher in every school

• GT services for PreK – 2nd grade

• More arts and STEM education

Open Responses: Middle School

“What other services would you like

HCPS to offer GT students?”

• Provide GT services beyond Elementary School (i.e. “GT” or “Honors/Pre-AP” classes) in grades 6-8 content areas

• Award credit for High School classes taken in Middle School (Mathematics and foreign language)

• Establish Magnet Middle Schools

• Offer ability-grouped classes in both language arts and mathematics in grades 6-8; provide differentiation and higher-level curriculum/materials

Open Response – Other

“What are two things you would change about the GT program?”

• More training for teachers, administrators, and counselors regarding GT identification, needs, and characteristics

• More AP courses

• Better communication about identification and GT services

COMMUNITY FORUMS

Community Forums

2012 continuation of task:

“Conduct a series of community

forums to discuss the goals and

expectations of gifted education in

Harford County Public Schools with a

variety of stakeholders.”

Community Forums 2012

Bel Air Public Library – April 25

Edgewood Public Library – May 1

Havre de Grace Public Library – May 2

Jarrettsville Public Library – May 8

Discussion Topics

• Communication

• Curriculum

• Program Effectiveness

• Strengths

Strengths

GT Teachers

Opportunities for Improvement

1. Communication

2. Consistency

3. Identification

4. Curriculum/Grouping

THREE

RECOMMENDATIONS

Improvement Opportunity =

Communication

Create and distribute a

Gifted and Talented

Handbook for Parents and

Guardians

Improvement Opportunity =

Curriculum

Provide training and support

for teachers working with

Gifted and Talented students in Middle Schools

Improvement Opportunity =

Administration

• Provide equitable and consistent

services, including GT teacher

allocations, for all identified Gifted

and Talented learners K-12.

• Outline these service options in

HCPS policy documents.

Thank you