Statewide Advocacy Effort for Gifted and Talented Education
AP:
the state Department of Public Instruction to create rules forcing Wisconsin schools to offer uniform programs for gifted and talented students.
State law already requires districts to identify students who qualify as gifted and talented and offer appropriate programming.
But Todd Palmer, a Madison attorney spearheading the parents' effort, said Thursday schools have pulled resources away from those programs because of ongoing budget problems. The parents filed a petition for rulemaking, a rarely used option to ask the agency to create new rules.
DPI Petition:
My name is Todd Palmer and I am a parent of three students enrolled in Wisconsin public schools. I am writing to ask for your help on a matter which should not take more than several minutes of your time.
Specifically, I am asking you to sign a Petition requesting that DPI promulgate rules to govern public school districts in providing access to appropriate and uniform programs for pupils identified as gifted and/or talented. This Petition was filed with DPI on November 29, 2005 under the signatures of several parents and educators. However, this effort could use additional support from you. This would involve a minimal effort on your part, but has the potential to greatly benefit your children and/or students.
Here's what you can do to help:- Read the Petition.
- If you support the Petition, please print and sign the signature page (p. 16). Please include your signature, printed name, address and date.
- Either fax, e-mail or snail mail the signed petition to me at the following address (or mail directly to DPI):
Todd Palmer
2 East Mifflin Street, Suite 600
Madison, WI 53703-2965
Facsimile: 608-252-9243
Phone: 608-255-8891
E-mail: tep@dewittross.com
Spread the word in your community and gather more signatures. Contact friends and acquaintances to request their signatures as well.
By signing the Petition you are supporting a request that DPI establish rules to do the following:
- Establish clear and objective criteria for the uniform identification of gifted and talented pupils enrolled in Wisconsin public schools.
- Establish clear and objective criteria to ensure that all school districts provide uniform, systematic and continuous instructional activities to fully develop the capabilities of gifted and talented pupils.
- Establish clear and objective criteria to ensure that gifted and talented pupils have access to appropriate programs.
- Establish an infrastructure within DPI with sufficient staffing and resources to assist school districts in meeting these requirements.
- Establish an inspection, auditing and enforcement program to ensure that all school districts are meeting these obligations.
- Establish a process for pupils, and their guardians, to appeal decisions made by school districts with regard to gifted and talented education.
- Establish a Gifted and Talented Education Council to advise DPI on education issues, including the development of these rules.
- Establish a requirement that the president of each school district Board annually certify to their district's compliance with all gifted and talented education mandates.
- Establish a talented and gifted teacher certification process with requirements that teachers participate in periodic, continuing education courses.
Several individuals have put many hours of thought and work into this Petition. These efforts were not undertaken to benefit their own children. Rather, they are trying to improve the educational opportunities for all gifted and talented children throughout the state-including your children and students. I implore you to take several moments and complete the very simple task of signing the Petition and getting a copy returned to me.
There are over 51,000 GT students in this state. If we band together we maybe able to improve the resources devoted to their educational experience.
Posted by Laurie Frost at December 4, 2005 1:21 PM
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