Policies, Strategies, and Programs for Advanced, Talented, and Creative Learners

 

On Thursday, April 26th, Professor Nola Stephen and Acting Deputy Provost Andrew Effrat hosted another important event in the ongoing series of leadership opportunities in gifted and talented under the auspices of the Javits Grant.

Following up from the fall's Western MA Leadership Summit, they held Policies, Strategies, and Programs for Advanced, Talented, and Creative Learners.  This was an opportunity for leadership teams of three from MA districts tolearn more about programming options and goals, advocacy, identification, curriculum, and program evaluation. 

The day's offerings were focused around the book, Designing Services and Programs for High-Ability Learners.  Edited by Jeanne Purcell and Rebecca Eckert, it is a joint publication with the NAGC that provides detailed guidelines, practical tips, templates, action plans, and suggestions.

Team leader Jeanne Purcell provided an overview of the text and its value for educators and administrators and lead a breakout strand on Curriculum.  Other breakout strands were lead by E. Jean Gubbins (ID), Catherine Little (Program Evaluation), Angela Housand (Program Goals and Models), and Rebecca Eckert (Advocacy and Special Populations.

The day concuded with a panel discussion and question/answer session.  Panelists included Susan Wheltle (MA DOE), Diana Reeves (MAGE Chair and NAGC Board Member), and Nicholas Young (MA Association of School Superintendents). 

Thank you to the UMass team of Professor Nola Stephen, Acting Deputy Provost Andrew Effrat, and Andy Churchill, the Assistant Director of the UMass Center for Education Policy for another outstanding event!