The Division of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) is in the process of drafting a revision to “Policy IOA: Gifted and Talented Education” for the Board of Education (BOE) to review and adopt.  Read the current policy:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/ioa.pdf

The Policy Committee of the BOE agreed to put revisions to Policy IOA on their 2009 work plan, and at the same time, agreed to look at Regulation IOA simultaneously.  Once revisions to Policy IOA have been tentatively approved by the BOE, the policy will be presented to the public for comments and feedback, prior to final passage by the BOE. 

The current anticipated timeline for the BOE to release a revised draft of Policy IOA: Gifted and Talented Education to the public for comment is Fall, 2009.  Likely October-November timeframe.  The Chair of the BOE Policy Committee, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, has indicated the BOE will provide an extended window for public feedback, potentially 60-90 days.

Revisions to Regulation IOA are not submitted to the public for commentary.  They are at the sole discretion of the Superintendent.  Read the current regulation: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/ioara.pdf

The Delegate Assembly of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) passed a Resolution on Accelerated and Enriched Instruction on March 24, 2009.  Read the resolution:  http://www.mccpta.com/resolutions/AEI_Resolution.pdf

Learn more about current issues and concerns the Gifted and Talented Association (GTA) of Montgomery County currently has with the draft revisions to Policy IOA by reading an earlier policy action alert posted to area GT listservs: http://www.gtamc.org/Home/action-alert---revision-of-policy-ioa 

Among the central themes:

• Should Policy IOA pertain to gifted and talented education, or to all students' education?

• Should GT students be served by a separate GT curriculum, or by optional curriculum extensions?

• Should the policy preserve homogeneous grouping as a required instructional practice, or disfavor it?

• Should the policy continue GT identification, or end it?

Read a summary of the discussions which took place at the March 5, 2009 Asian American Parents Advocacy Council's meeting on "What Does Preserving MCPS's Commitment to Gifted Education Mean to the Community at Large"

Make your voices heard!  Talk to other parents.  Debate the issues on the CCES listserv.  Formulate your own opinions on pending revisions to Policy IOA: Gifted and Talented Education.  And make those opinions known to the BOE and MCPS leadership:

Board of Education via boe@mcpsmd.org

BOE Policy Committee: responsible for working with Superintendent and staff to develop draft policy; presenting draft policy to the full Board; and making recommendations regarding policy.

Patricia O'Neill, Chair	Patricia_O'Neill@mcpsmd.org
Christopher S. Barclay	Christopher_Barclay@mcpsmd.org
Shirley Brandman	Shirley_Brandman@mcpsmd.org
Timothy Hwang	Timothy_T_Hwang@mcpsmd.org

Committee on Special Populations: responsible for reviewing issues and instructional programs designed to meet the needs of special populations that require special education services, gifted and talented instruction, alternative programs, ESOL services, and multilingual support.

Shirley Brandman, Chair	Shirley_Brandman@mcpsmd.org
Laura Berthiaume	Laura_Berthiaume@mcpsmd.org
Phil Kauffman	Phil_Kauffman@mcpsmd.org

Click here for a complete listing of key contacts and email address related to advocacy work pertaining to pending revisions to Policy IOA: Gifted and Talented Education

Get Involved!

Carole Edelstein
CCES PTA GT Liaison
301-718-0710 / creuschle@verizon.net