Remarks by David Driscoll, Massachusetts Commissioner of Education

Emailed to Diana Reeves October 17, 2002

I am sorry that a family commitment prevents me from being with you tonight as you look to address a very real issue in K-12 public education - that being the needs of gifted and talented students. I purposely did not limit my description to the academic needs of the students because it is much more than academic content. It is also about the social, and, what I call, the motivational needs of these students. Let me first briefly address the challenges we currently face followed by some suggestions as to how I think we can make progress helping these students.

Challenge #1: Funding has not, and very likely will not be provided to help with this effort. This is the situation in most states (although there are a few pleasant exceptions) and certainly the case in Massachusetts. If we were not able to secure more than minimal dollars during the time that budgets were growing, we will not see additional dollars now.

Challenge #2: The needs of many of these kids are not fully recognized by school personnel. This is often because they have not been trained to be knowledgeable about this population and the kids are often compliant and dutiful.

Challenge #3: The number of people focused on this issue is small and the sympathies of the public is not often directed toward this population. They are seen as students that can fend for themselves and parents and other advocates are unjustly viewed as elitists.

Most of you, if you have been active for very long, are well aware of these challenges and most likely have been frustrated by them. Here are some suggestions:

Suggestion #1: Work within the current system but look to provide leadership. In a much overused quote from the great hockey player Wayne Gretsky “ I go where the puck is going, others go where the puck is now.” All of the New England States are involved in some form of education reform. Standards are being established; teaching strategies and student learning are being reexamined. This is an opportunity to work toward an agenda of student engagement and connections to real life experiences. Schools are looking for examples of good programs and lessons that promote critical thinking and problem solving and the current emphasis, even with SAT tests, toward creative writing.

Suggestion #2: Build a library of resources that inform parents, educators and community members of the needs of gifted and talented students. This could include sound research materials, helpful guides, and examples of lessons that are working in classrooms or schools. The coordination of a single website would help address the challenges of greatly increasing the number of people who really see the sense of urgency for a population often ignored.

Suggestion #3: Be strong, vocal and proactive. Challenge all of us even including public supporters like myself who can very quickly get engrossed in the day-to-day activities and other priorities.

Finally, let me thank all of you for your commitment and effort. As we enter the era of leaving “No Child Behind”, we need to make a strong case that children who not only perform above minimal standards but are even performing above proficiency levels are also being left behind if they are not properly challenged or have the sense that they are valued and supported.

Thank you for your kind attention.