June 2018 Committee on Instruction Item 6
Discussion of Proposed Updates to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students
June 14, 2018
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for staff to report to the committee on the process to update the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (State Plan).
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(15) and §29.123.
TEC, §7.102(c)(15), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt criteria for identifying gifted and talented students and develop and update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented students.
TEC, §29.123, requires the SBOE to develop and periodically update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented students to guide school districts in establishing and improving programs for identified students.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE previously approved updates to the State Plan in July 2009.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The State Plan was first approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) in 1975 with the goal of assisting school districts in their efforts to meet the needs of gifted/talented students. The State Plan was revised in 1980-81 to include a comprehensive outline of school district responsibilities and activities, and to provide guidance for planning, implementing, and providing appropriate educational services for gifted/talented students. In 1990-91, the State Plan was again revised to reflect the changes that had occurred during the previous ten years, including a 1990 statewide mandate for the education of gifted/talented students. The 1990-91 revision included guidelines for school districts to follow that assisted with compliance and implementation of exemplary programs to assure quality services for gifted/talented students.
In 1996, the SBOE adopted a revision of the State Plan that reorganized the guidance to school districts into a three-column format. The first column, labeled ‘Acceptable,’ established the basis of program accountability. The second and third columns, established a recognized and exemplary level, providing school districts with a guide for program improvement. The three-column format was continued in the 2000, and 2006 versions of the State Plan. In 2009, the SBOE approved a revision of the State Plan that included updated language, establishing the ‘In Compliance’ column as the basis of accountability for gifted/talented services and programming. In addition, the second and third columns provided guidance to school districts on ‘Recommended’ and ‘Exemplary’ targets of service.
Pursuant to TEC, §29.123, the State Plan provides the basis of gifted/talented services, accountability, and assistance to school districts. The SBOE is responsible for periodically updating the guidance in the State Plan. At the April 2018 meeting, the committee discussed the administrative rule for gifted/talented education and the State Plan. At that time the committee requested that TEA staff review the plan and explore potential updates to be discussed at the June 2018 meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Districts and schools will have accurate and appropriate information and resources for providing services to students identified as gifted/talented and for complying with state law and rule when serving these students.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Staff Members Responsible:
Justin Porter, Executive Director
Special Populations
Caprice Day-Borgeson, Twice Exceptional and Gifted/Talented Manager
Special Populations
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF, 15 KB)
II. Text of 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter A, Gifted/Talented Education (PDF, 21 KB)