Massachusetts Gifted & Talented Education Advisory Council
In 1993, as part of the Education Reform Act, The
MA Board of Education created various advisory councils, including the
Gifted
& Talented Education Advisory Council. The 20+ members are
appointed for three year terms and represent educators, the business community,
civic leaders, professional groups (MAGE), and parents. Members also
represent a reasonable geographic balance across the state. The group
meets in Framingham five times/year and all meetings are open to the
public. For more information about the council and its meeting schedule,
go to www.doe.mass.edu and scroll down to Advisory Councils. Those interested in
being appointed to the Council can send a letter of interest and resume at
any time to the DOE liason, Katherine Honey, at khoney@doe.mass.edu.
Since its inception, the Council has worked
tirelessly in support of gifted students. The most recent fruits
of labor inlude working with the Department of Education to create:
- a state definition of gifted students (MA is one
of only five states without one) currently being reviewed by the DOE for
submission to the legistlature;
- a state licensure of Teachers of the Acacdemically
Advanced, including the rquirements, detailed outline of required coursework
and suggested resources;
- a survey, requested by the legislature, of the
services currently offered for gifted students in districts across the
state.
Here are a few pictures of this
group in action on May 9, 2002. This is an historic occasion as the
Council is summarizing results from the statewide survey of gifted services
- the first done since the late 1980's!
Susan Wheltle (DOE) and Judy Platt (Framingham Public Schools)
Katherine Honey (DOE) and
Diane Modest (Framingham Public Schools)
Judy Platt (Framingham Public Schools), Ellen
Neelands (Waltham Public Schools) and Claire Sholes
(Athol Public Schools)