Minutes from the AGTS General Meeting October 24, 2006

Notes from Pam Andrews

1. Richard Truman began the meeting with a general introduction.
2. Gideon Carter gave a brief Treasurer’s report – we have a negative balance based on last year’s revenue versus expenditures.
3. Nominations and elections of officers were held by Richard.  Michael Kearney was elected President, Richard will continue as VP for Membership, Gideon will continue as Treasurer, Cas O’Conner will remain as Secretary, Harald Leder is the Past-President.  Other Board members include Anita Haywood.
4. Richard gave a brief review of the results of the AGTS Web-based Survey.  Results indicated that parents are generally positive about the nature of the program, were almost universally against a Resources (pull-out) program, and had some mixed feelings about where the sites were established.  More detailed analyses will follow.
5. Richard introduced Amy McLin, Supervisor of the Gifted and Talented program, who gave a brief synopsis of the state of the G/T program. We have 2005 students identified as either Gifted and or Talented, and the numbers look good for the program.
6. Richard next opened the meeting for questions from the audience; participants included Robert Stockwell, Chief Academic Officer, Carlos Sam, Director of Magnet Programs and Amy.

Questions from audience and responses from leaders:

How many teachers have we lost?

This past year, at the elementary level, 10. They were due to teachers retiring, moving out of state and 4 went to the Lab School.

Amy answered a question about teacher qualifications.

Are there radical changes in the wind?

Not for next year. We are being proactive.

Is there a possibility of changes coming?

The consent decree set the tone. Once it is no longer, we can talk about changes.

What is the time table to be out from the consent decree?

There were several comments made from various individuals. There was some disagreement about the court extending the drop dead date, with the school board members indicating they heard nothing of the extension. Mr. Stockwell indicated the date was July of '07 and another member of the audience said it was July 15 '07.

What are the risks for kids in Gifted and Talented now that the settlement is ending?

Carlos Sam said it was an opportunity for the system. It is not a threat, it represents an opportunity for the system to make its decision about schools and programs.

There was a discussion about redefining procedures for selecting students for magnets. It must be race neutral. This affects magnets for the 07/08 school year. No changes in this for Gifted and Talented. There is a different set of rules for G/T.

What plans for G/T are on the table?

Is there any discussion or plans?

No. None, according to Mr. Stockwell.

Was the survey a first step?

The survey was done by the G/T department.

The School Board has taken no steps?

No

Magnet Mania is this Saturday. They will be selecting students for 07/08.

Court appointed magnet evaluator. Discussions of changes to improve or strengthen magnets. We can also look at G/T in a similar way. To provide the best quality program we can. There is no great hurry to make dramatic changes. The board has to approve any changes.

Have you established a process by which you evaluate G/T?

Yes, an open-ended process would be established.

One parent commented she likes the gifted program but hates the schools in which they have been located. There was a lot of agreement on this statement.

Relationship of G/T with magnet programs?

Magnet students are from the regular program. They will leave students with lower scores in the classroom. There is a larger discrepancy between the scores of the gifted and regular ed students. It widens the gap.

There was a discussion about gifted sites with academic excellence.

Special education, how is it going?

There was a statement  about not separating special ed students. Were the gifted included in this?

Glasgow and McKinley.

There was a discussion about the division between the gifted and neighborhood students. Their lives parallel. Not all gifted students are gifted in every area of study. Some feel uncomfortable about having gifted students in regular ed classes. Others suggested it was the student's (and their families') choice whether to attend some regular ed classes when gifted classes were not appropriate.

One gentleman questioned the reasons why some are interested in separating the gifted and regular ed students. He suggested the regular ed students might find they could distinguish themselves, by looking at the accomplishments of the gifted students and saying to themselves, "What can I be?"

Another comment from the audience was how the gifted education is worth more than the education they were NOT getting elsewhere.

How do we find out when the G/T will be on the School Board agenda? When will it be discussed?

There is a board committee process. As of now there is no specific time for it to be discussed. Plans are made 7 days in advance. Look at the AGTS website for more information.

Busing? There was concern about the long bus rides (car rides?) and the distance between schools for families with students at all levels of education.

It's about safety. There is a real difference between what gifted students do and what they are interested in and the regular education students. Gifted students want to be there and learn. They want a safe environment.

When did it (?) change and why?

It changed in 1996 with the consent decree.

Was it about race or grades?

There were several comments from audience members.

    7.     At the end of these questions Michael informed the audience they were now members of AGTS. There would be no fees involved to belong. There was a brief review of the monetary situation of the AGTS, indicating there was no immediate need for further fees. Michael invited anyone with an interest in the Gifted Association or who had children, grandchildren, etc. involved in it to become active participants. All are welcome.