Gifted and Talented Pupils

Challenging Advanced Learners Academy

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will hold a three-day standards-based intensive academy that will focus on how to meet the needs of students with academic gifts and talents and how to develop the gifts and talents of diverse students. The conference will be held on the UW-Whitewater campus from June 18-20, 2012. Workshops will feature connections to RtI, 21st Century Skills, assessment, and the Common Core State Standards. Nationally-known speakers and state experts will provide keynote talks, breakout sessions, and informal interactions with participants. Click here for additional information and registration.

2012-2013 Gifted and Talented Education Grant Application Package Now Available

The application package for the 2012-2013 Gifted and Talented Education Grant is now available. The purpose of the 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, K-12, in the areas of general intellectual, specific academic, creativity, leadership, and the visual and performing arts. Milwaukee Public Schools, all CESA's, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and institutions within the University of Wisconsin system are eligible to apply. Deadline to apply is June 1, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. Click here to download the application package.

Reviewer Benchmarks for 2012-2013 Gifted and Talented Education Grants

Reviewer benchmarks can provide additional guidance for the 2012-13 Gifted and Talented Education Grants. Click here to download a copy.

Listen to the Webinar for 2012-13 G/T Grants

Were you unable to join the live webinar for the 2012-13 Gifted and Talented Education Grants? The session was archived and you can listen to it now. Click here to access it.

New Look for Gifted & Talented Website

The DPI Gifted & Talented website has a new look. The navigation bar to the left has been revised to include new information and resources that reflect effective practice. We hope you find the revisions helpful.

Gifted & Talented Website Co-Authors

Four Wisconsin educators shared their expertise, experience, and time to develop resources that are available on the DPI Gifted & Talented website. These include Foundations for Gifted Education in Wisconsin, The Gifted Education Toolkit, Critical Issues, and Developing Gifted Education Plans. We applaud their vision for and commitment to gifted education in our state. Sincere thanks go out to the following professionals and their institutions:

• Dr. Pamela Clinkenbeard
  Professor of Educational Foundations
  University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Ms. Dana Sommerfeld
  Director of State and Federal Programs
  Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
• Ms. Sara Stone
  Principal, West Side Elementary School
  Elkhorn Area School District
• Dr. Richard Zimman
  Superintendent of Schools
  Ripon Area School District

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.

The NAGC will provide more detailed guidance in two booklets that will be available in November 2012.

For questions about this information, contact Chrystyna V. Mursky (608) 267-9273

Last updated on 5/21/2012 2:19:57 PM