Help MCGTA to push the re-defination of 'gifted and talented'kids

[Anonymous]

The thread started with a request that members of this GTA list serve send a “comment” to Susan Spinnato at the Maryland State Department of Education in support of adoption of COMAR 13A.04.07 with, if you wish, the suggestion that section .02D be changed to require local school systems to identify as gifted at least 10% of students in each school system, rather than 10% as gifted in each school as the proposed COMAR states. 

The revisions to COMAR 13A.04.07 have been proposed but not yet adopted.  It is important that the Maryland State Board of Education receive comments in support of adoption of the COMAR 13A.04.07 Gifted and Talented from individuals and organizations across the State prior to January 22, 2019.Thank you.

 Please see the details below:
Immediate action needed:  Advocates for education of gifted and talented are urged to email immediately a written comment in support of the revision to Maryland regulation COMAR 13A.04.07 Gifted and Talented Education.  

The COMAR was published in the Maryland Register for public comment in late December, and comments must be received by January 22, 2019.

What:  The text of the proposed revisions to COMAR 13A.04.07 can be found at http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDR/4526/Assembled.htm#_Toc532899012

Note:  The Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education spoke at the December 4, 2018 meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education in strong support of the COMAR revision and recommended a change in provision .02D to require all local school systems to identify as gifted and talented at least 10% of students across the district as part of the universal screening process rather than at least 10% in each school, which would “...sweep up students whose ability and achievement results place them firmly in the average range for whom general curricula are designed.”  

Why:  The proposed revised COMAR removes the “shall considers” optional nature of certain provisions of the original COMAR Gifted and Talented adopted in 2012 and makes these provisions a requirement for Maryland school systems and schools in order that all Maryland gifted and talented students in all populations will receive the education needed to help them develop to their full potential.  Other revisions are made to ensure that Maryland school systems and schools follow evidence-based procedures and practices in their gifted and talented programs.  

It is important that the Maryland State Department of Education and the Board of Education receive comments in support of adoption of the COMAR Gifted and Talented from individuals and organizations across the State.  

How to take action to comment:  Email your comments in strong support of COMAR 13A.04.07 to [e-mail] by this coming Tuesday, January 22, 2019, suggesting, if you wish, a change in provision .02D from the requirement to identify as gifted and talented at least 10% in each school to a requirement to identify at least 10% in each local school system.

[Anonymous]

MCPS has about 1/3 of kids identified as GT. Why do we want to limit GT%?

[Anonymous]

And the gt designation means nothing in mcps. How about a maximum of 10% I'd d and gt appropriate education is required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the gt designation means nothing in mcps. How about a maximum of 10% I'd d and gt appropriate education is required.

THIS. The verbiage is absolutely meaningless at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the gt designation means nothing in mcps. How about a maximum of 10% I'd d and gt appropriate education is required.

THIS. The verbiage is absolutely meaningless at this point.

Exactly and this gives them a ready excuse - they don’t have enough seats/resources for all the “gifted “ students.
I personally think they should have Magnet programs for the top 5% and guaranteed enriched classes for the top 20% in the county with the proviso that every middle school have at least one enriched math and enriched humanities class.