Gifted Education
“I feel that our gifted students have not been given enough opportunities to develop and explore their talents. We want to focus more on middle school and high school opportunities and are looking to add staff in these areas. We have made a step in the right direction by establishing the EGAT program this year for those students identified with gifts in areas other than academics.” This was Pulaski County Superintendent Tim Eaton’s thoughts on gifted education when he released his vision for the district after taking the helm of superintendent.
Pulaski County is being recognized for the steps and commitment the district is making to gifted education. Dr. Julia Roberts, Executive Director of the Center of Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University has spotlighted the Pulaski program in several workshops and seminars sponsored by the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education. In addition, several districts have utilized forms developed by Pulaski’s gifted specialists who have also been invited on several occasions to talk with others about Pulaski’s programming.
Pulaski County has made a commitment to challenge gifted students to greater heights and to identify those talented children that are sometimes overlooked. In fact, statistics show that typically 80% of the gifted and talented are underachievers. “It is our responsibility to locate, identify, and serve them. Gifted students can develop their full potential only when their strengths are identified and supported,” said district Gifted Education Coordinator Janice Fraley. “Although the state requires gifted education and services, very little money is provided for programming. Districts must take it upon themselves to provide students with opportunities aligned with their needs, interests, and abilities. From funding from our Board to our staff writing grants to our community members providing their expertise. It takes a commitment from everyone,” added Fraley.
Gifted students receive a Gifted Student Services Plan (GSSP)–an individualized plan that matches the student’s interests/needs/abilities to differentiated service options. Schools have a curricular responsibility to differentiate, replace, supplement, or modify the curriculum to ensure each student’s continuous progress; to use curricular materials designed to challenge the student and to further develop his/her diagnosed talent and/or area of giftedness; and to provide flexible curricular and extracurricular experiences commensurate with the student’s interests/needs/abilities.
Areas outside intellectual giftedness are being addressed through Exploring Gifts and Talents (EGAT) days. EGAT days are a community involvement adventures that help to ensure that the identified gifted and talented students are provided opportunities according to their interests, needs and abilities. EGAT brings together in one place the artistically inclined students with experienced artists. Community artisans and professionals, from Civil War re-enactors to professional musicians, are bring a wealth of knowledge to students. EGAT was started for elementary students who excel in areas such as art, drama, music, leadership, and creativity and was so successful, the program was expanded for middle and high school students as a continuing effort to provide gifted students with opportunities to grow.
This year’s EGAT events include September 5, 2002 and March 6, 2003 for high school students, November 7, 2002 and May 1, 2003 for middle school students, and October 3, 2002 and April 3, 2003 for elementary students. Community members wishing to visit, participate, or actively volunteer during EGAT days are encouraged to contact Janice Fraley at 679-1123.