ITAG/SAGEITAG/SAGEITAG/SAGE

President’s messages 2

State December child count 3

BSU gifted ed. classes 4

Invent Idaho competition 5

Job sharing does work well 6

CEC-TAG officers 7

NAGC website information 8

Teacher prep legislation 9

Edufest 2006 10

Edufest registration 11

Inside this issue:

Idaho, The Assoc iat ion for the Gifted/State Advocates for Gif ted Educat ion

Page 1 ITAG / SAGEITAG / SAGE February 2006

Newsletter Editor: Sherrie Bosserman sbosserman@homeinternet.net

Edufest 2006 Registration Enclosed

ITAG/SAGE website www.itag-sage.org

Luke Lott, a 9th grader, and his teacher, Jean Robinson from Coeur d’Alene, are going to Death Valley, traipsing to the top of volcanoes and be-ing featured on the live down feed at school sites around the nation.

Lott and Robinson will be participating in a JASON Expedition. JASON is a multi-dimensional science and math curriculum which features an endangered environ-mental focus. Competing nationally for the limited spots, Idaho has representa-tives almost yearly in the intense field study connected to JASON.

To meet today’s instruc-tional challenges, JA-SON combines re-nowned multi-media standards-based curriculum, tools and technology with a subject of new focus every year.

Together with JASON founder, Dr. Robert Ballard and a team of scientists and researchers, you and your students can explore fascinating natural environ-ments and apply what you learn to your own corner of the world. Thanks to grants from INL, the teachers in Idaho

(Continued on page 2)

Rachel Brinkley, a PACE (Programs for Academic and Creative Education) student at Sunnyside Elementary School in Idaho Falls was named the National Asso-ciation for Gifted Chil-

dren (NAGC) Nicholas Green Distin-guished Student for the state of Idaho.

Rachel is part of a select group of stu-dents, one from each state, to receive the award for distinguished achievement dur-ing the 2004-05 school year. Her award included a National Association for Gifted Children "Certificate of Excellence" and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.

Rachel is interested in becoming a seis-mologist and is involved in many activi-ties including ballet, tap and jazz dance; plays the piano, flute, and violin; partici-pates in sports; and enjoys writing. Rachel had to submit information about her achievements in academics and the arts as well as have a letter of recommen-dation from her PACE gifted program teachers.

The Nicholas Green Award was named after a young boy who lost his life in a tragic accident while traveling with his family in Italy. In his memory, his par-ents, along with NAGC, recognize young people with talent who are working very hard to make the most of their lives.

Idaho Falls Student Receives Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award Elaine Lowrance, M.Ed.

Experience the Joy of JASON! Luke Lott and Jean Robinson will be Linda Stokes

A dream is always a bargain, no matter what you pay for it.

-Harvey Mackay

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more

there is in life to celebrate -Oprah Winfrey

We cannot always build the

future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Page 2 ITAG / SAGEITAG / SAGE February 2006

Idaho the Association for

the Gifted has had an active year. The association saw a routine change in leadership in January, and because of resignations, an-other change in March. The re-maining board members stepped forward and worked together to create an even stronger organiza-tion with a steadily increasing membership base.

ITAG again sponsored the week long Edufest Conference at BSU in July, serving as hosts for Par-ent Day and School Counselor/Psychologist Day during the con-ference. Gifted resource books were given away at the special one-day sessions. ITAG also dis-tributed welcome goody bags to all conference residents in the dorms as well as sponsor a hospi-tality table during the week of the conference.

Ten $200 mini-grants were awarded to teachers who had creative and innovative ideas for projects involving gifted students in their classrooms. $100 Re-gional Meeting assistance was offered each region to support regional collaboration.

The ITAG member list serve has been activated once again. Mem-bers can go to gifted@itag-sage.org and say, “subscribe”. Supe-rior newsletters were published with an extended distribution list throughout the state to those who

might benefit from updated news and activities concerning gifted kids. To ensure even stronger links and communications within the state, the board has added several new regional reps.

Special plaques were presented to Marti Agler and Jo Henderson in appreciation of their long dedi-cated service to the gifted pro-grams and students in Idaho. Jo Henderson also received the Idaho Gifted Education Mile-stone Award (GEM) from the ITAG organization for 2005.

The 2005 CEC Conference em-phasis for the TAG sessions was inquiry based math and science education with well-received pre-senters Rachel McAnallen and Leah Melber.

ITAG-SAGE looks forward to another challenging but success-ful year in 2006. We are excited about our annual conferences with Carol Ann Tomlinson as one of our keynote presenters at Sum-mer Edufest (July 22-28) as it emphasizes critical and creative thinking.

Our October 5-7 CEC Confer-ence strand will emphasize inte-grating the arts into the basic cur-riculum with several exciting pre-senters. Feel free to contact any of the ITAG-SAGE officers or regional reps if you want to get more involved in the organiza-tion, or if there is a way we can better serve you.

ITAG/SAGE, Looking Back and Looking Forward Marcia Wall

(Continued from page 1)

can use the digital labs, videos, interviews with noted scientists and exciting new materials every year. Make sure you look for trainings, which supply you with the manuals and digital access each year!

JASON has high interest and direct application to our lives today. Ever hear the question… “but when will I ever use this?” Ironically, last year the focus was the wetlands. Louisiana and Katrina proved that all the work scientists and students shared with could... and did come true.

Featured in 2005’s Mars and Extreme Condi-tions study, Kobie Boykins, the lead designer of the solar panels for the Mars rovers was a boy who got hooked on science, Star Trek and math in 5th grade, was admittedly the class clown and couldn’t spell. Today he still applies that fresh buoyant ap-proach to solving problems which will alter our lives. He reminds us of the students in our rooms today with all the promise of tomorrow.

This curriculum is tightly written with cultural and historical connections, literature and writ-ing experiences and a live down feed at NNU & BSU. If you would like to know more or participate in this wonderful opportunity, go to www.jasonproject.org.

Montana AGATE Annual Spring Conference

April 27—29, 2006 Polson, Montana

"Catching Dreams" Marcia B. Imbeau, Jann Leppein, Ph.D.

Rachel McAnallen, Karen Isaacson

www.mtagate.org

2006 SENG Conference Bridging the Gap

July 7-9, 2006 Irvin, California

Social and emotional issues in misdiagnosis, parenting, grand

parenting, and gifted adults.

Edward R. Amend, PsyD Arthur Benjamin, PhD

Karen Rogers, PhD

Visit www.sengifted.org for information and online registration.

Page 3 ITAG / SAGEITAG / SAGE February 2006

The Gifted/ Talented Program has, once again, shown growth during the past year in the identifi-

cation of and services provided to gifted/talented students in the State of Idaho. Ac-cording to preliminary Dec. 1, 2005 Child Count figures, over 1,000 more students across the state are being served in the five talent areas.

This is an increase of over 4,000 students in two years. In addition, more minority students, especially Hispanics, are being identified and served. District personnel are to be commended for the continued advocacy for our gifted/talented children. The growth may be due to a number of reasons:

Awareness of and planning for G/T programs at the district level District personnel are becoming more aware of serv-ing students in all five talent areas. In addition, pro-gram options for serving students are more diversified. For example, three rural districts are working together to provide combined gifted services for their students. Understanding of identification instruments Districts are becoming more aware of the importance of identifying students with identification instruments aligned with the talent areas being identified and the use of non-verbal, non-culturally biased instruments. Understanding of program options District personnel are reviewing a number of options to provide G/T services. These include viable elemen-tary and secondary program options, such as differen-tiation of instruction. The state specialist and special education regional consultants have conducted differ-entiation workshops in all regions of the state. Clarification of who should be included on ChildCount Clarification of who should be included in the December 1st Child Count has assisted districts in an accurate child count.

The preliminary figures from the 2005-2006 Child Count for G/T show the following:

Total Count: Increase in total number of G/T students identified and served Ethnicity: Increase in minority student identification for Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islanders, Asian ethnic categories Talent Areas: Increased numbers in academic and leader-ship talent areas Increases in Total Count Figure 1 chart shows the growth in the numbers of G/T stu-dents identified on the December 1st Chiild Count from 1998 to 2005. The difference from 2004 to 2005 is 1,124 students. Increases in Ethnic Diversity (Figure 2) During monitor-ing visits, one-on-one meetings with district per-sonnel, and other meetings, SDE staff and district person-nel brainstormed ways to increase minority enroll-ment. Increased Growth in Talent Areas

In the State of Idaho, gifted and talented students are pro-vided services in five talent areas. Traditionally, low num-bers of students are identified in the Leadership area. The 2005 Child Count, how-ever, shows growth in the Leadership and Specific Aca-demic areas. Figure 3. Conclusion: The preliminary figures of the 2005 Child Count, while not totally complete, indicate that significant increases in the number of students identified and served for G/T have occurred. The number has increased by over 1,000 students. The ethnic make-up has become more di-versified, with larger numbers of minority students identi-fied and served. The talent areas of Leadership and Spe-cific Academic continue to grow. This may be due to a number of reasons, but the most logical explanation is an increased awareness by districts in the identification of and services provided to gifted/talented students.

950610739 10394

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0

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19991998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Figure 1. Number of GT Students Identified and Served

Preliminary Gifted/Talented Child Count for 2005-06 Val Schorzman

Figure 2: Growth by Ethnicity

Ethnicity 2005-06 2004-0 Difference Asian 290 269 +21 Pacific 20 10 +10 Black 62 53 +9 Hispanic 489 363 +126 Native Am. 42 48 -6 White 13,272 12,322 +950 Other 22 17 +5

Figure 3. Total in All Five Talent Areas Specific Academic 12,549 students Visual/Performing Arts 322 students Leadership 226 students Creativity 219 students Intellectual 1,031 students

Page 4 ITAG / SAGEITAG / SAGE February 2006

State Department News Val Schorzman Boise State Gifted Again Lawrence R. Rogien

With the advent of a new Dean of the College of Education and a new Chair for the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies comes a re-newed interest in coursework for teachers working to-ward the state en-dorsement in gifted and talented educa-tion.

Dr. Diane Boothe, Dean of the College of Education has ap-proved four of the five core classes to be of-fered through the col-lege, one class each semester, using an online format. The classes will be offered so that by attending Edufest for two sum-mers, and taking two online classes during the academic year, a teacher could fulfill the four core classes and be ready for the practi-cum class (also offered through Boise State) in the space of just over 12 months.

Educators will have the opportu-nity to enroll in the remaining re-quired five hours of elective courses in gifted and talented edu-cation, and be prepared to submit their application to the state for the GT endorsement.

Also notable regarding Dr. Boothe: she is edi-tor of a book on gifted and talented education with Julian Stanley by Prufrock Press titled In the Eyes of the Be-holder: Critical Issues for Diversity in Gifted Education.

Keep your eyes on Boise State for future course offerings and developments in the area of gifted and talented educa-tion.

Coding G/T Students on State Tests

Students identified and served as G/T students should be coded as G/T on state tests. In order to

make wise decisions at the State level on the edu-cation of G/T students, accurate data are required. The Child Count data and identification of stu-dents as G/T should coincide.

Advanced Placement Exams The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Education, will be as-sisting districts by paying for AP exams for low-income students. The College Board will provide information on AP Central, the AP program’s online resource found at www.apcentral.collegeboard.com. Registration will be online.

The State of Idaho will pay $52 per AP Exam for public and private school students qualify-ing for the College Board free reduction. The final AP fee for qualifying students is $0. What the school must do: • Fill in “Option 1” oval on qualifying stu-

dents’ AP exams answer sheets. • When generating the invoice online, enter

the total number of exams (not students) that qualify for the fee reduction.

• AP coordinators in Idaho will forgo collec-tion of AP exam fees from students quali-fying for the College Board fee reduction. The AP coordinator must submit a copy of the invoice to the State. The College Board will bill the State directly for qualifying students’ AP Exam fees.

Send a copy of the invoice to: Dr. Valerie Schorzman, G/T Specialist, Idaho State De-partment of Education, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0027

G/T Website Please check the G/T Website, www.sde.state.id.us/giftedtalented, frequently. The Announce-ments page contains current information that is useful to district personnel and parents.

Let us know if we can assist you with any questions you may have on G/T. Contact Val Schorzman at VJSchorzman@sde.idaho.gov or Cheryl Kary at cmkary.sde.idaho.gov.

In the Eyes of the Beholder: Critical Issues for Diversity

in Gifted Education By Diane Booth & Julian C. Stanley

This collection of manuscripts takes direct aim at encouraging the identification of a more di-

verse population of gifted and talented students.

Topics include identi-fication of diverse populations, curricular and pedagogical modifications, coun-seling strategies, and addressing social and emotional issues. Pru-frock Press (2004) ISBN: 1-59363-004-2

New Releases Handbook of Secondary

Gifted Education Felicia A. Dixon & Sidney M. Moon

This textbook is designed to help education professionals interested in building effective and comprehen-sive educational opportunities for

gifted students. Schools often overlook gifted adolescents. These students are frequently de-posited into AP or honors classes that focus on rigor-ous content, with little or no focus on gifted qualities and how adolescence affects the students’ giftedness. This textbook addressed this criti-cal challenge for gifted edu-

cation professionals.

Topics include understanding the gifted adolescent, social/emotional issues, adolescent issues, best prac-tices for curriculum and instruction and programming options (both school-wide and in specific subject areas (2006) ISBN: 1-59363-178-2

Page 5 ITAG/SAGEITAG/SAGE February 2006

Idaho History Day Almost Here Karen Grindle

“Idaho History Day is an exciting way for students to study and learn about historical issues, ideas, peo-ple, and events. This yearlong edu-cational program fosters academic achievement and intellectual growth. In addition to acquiring useful knowledge and perspective during the series of regional, state, and national competitions, students develop critical thinking and prob-lem-solving skills that will help them manage and use information now and in the future.” (Idaho His-torical Society)

This year’s theme is “Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, Events.” Over the course of many weeks, students choose individual or group topics to research that sup-port the annual theme, do primary and secondary research on their topic, and develop a project to pre-sent to judges which shows their learning.

Boise Area Region 1 (Youth/Junior) March 4 Karen Grindle 855-4225, ext 1142

Boise Area Region 2 (Senior) March 11 Lisa Fisher 424-5000

Idaho Falls Area Region March 11 (Youth/Junior/Senior) Lisa Armstrong 524-7850

Twin Falls Area Region March 11 (Youth/Junior/Senior) Melody Wysong 436-9707

Lewiston Area Region March 18 (Youth/Junior/Senior) Barbara Hayes 736-8619

Coeur d’Alene Area Region March 11 (Youth/Junior/Senior) Marcia Wall 765-0992

First and second place regional winners in each division and cate-gory will qualify to compete in the Idaho State History Day Competi-tion on Friday, April 14 at Albert-son College in Caldwell.

State winners are then eligible for the National History Day Competi-tion, June 11-15 For more informa-tion, please call the contact person nearest you, or log on to www.idahohistory.net or www.nationalhistoryday.org.

Overview of Destination Imagination Kathleen Hodge

Destination ImagiNation is a community-based, school friendly program that builds participants’ creativity, problem solving, and teamwork in enjoyable and meaning-ful ways. The goals of Destination ImagiNation are for participants to: Foster creative and critical thinking and Learn and apply creative problem solving method

Does this sound like a program your stu-dents would enjoy? There is still time to sign up. Visit www.shopdi.org and click on 2005-2006 DI Memberships. Once you have purchased a membership, you will receive a CD with all the information you need to participate in the program

This year the tournament will be held at Eagle Middle school on April 8. This year’s Challenges are: Challenge A: Back at you Challenge B: Kidz Rulz Challenge C: How’d that Happen Challenge D: On Safari Challenge E: The Inside Dimension

Read challenge overviews online at desti-nationimagiantion.org.

For more information, contact Irina Harmon (208/939-9313), Debbie Hertzog (208/939-8964), Idaho Affiliate directors, or Kathleen Hodge athodgesk@meridianschools.org Inventing Websites

for Kids Deb Rose

"By Kids For Kids" program for young inventors. You can get more info at http://www.bkfk.com/. Detail for Teachers/Organizers is at http://www.bkfk.com/teachers/downloadfiles.asp.

Other invention-related re-sources that you might find interesting &/or useful, in your spare time, are: http://www.uspto.gov/go/kids/ -- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ahrpa/opa/projxl/invthink/invthink.htm -- a good but rather lengthy presentation from the USPTO's Project XL http://www.kids.gov/k_gov.htm -- more general government links, be-yond inventions http://www.inventored.org/k-12/ -- independent work of Ron Riley, foun-der of Alliance for American Innovation.

LEARNING & the BRAIN

National Conference

Using Brain Research To

Shape Learning, Creativity, Teaching and Treatment

April 30 — May 2, 2006

Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel & Gutman Conference Center,

Cambridge MA

http://www.edupr.com

Invent Idaho Invent Idaho is a state-wide

Inventing program designed for students in grades 1-8. In

this time of increasing attention to testing, standards and curriculum man-dates, it’s refreshing to have a program that covers so many bases while encouraging higher-order thinking, ingenuity and imagi-nation. In additions inventing design tech-nology prototyping and testing elements meet state science standards, journaling links to language arts standards and math and humanities standards are addressed by technical drawing and model building.

Individuals or teams can enter in five dif-ferent categories: Working Models, Non Working Models, Adaptations, Jules Vern, and Games.

Participants must compete at one of the three regional conventions to qualify for the state competition.

Regional Competitions North Idaho Regional: January 22 - 23 Silver Lake Mall, Coeur d’Alene

East Idaho Regional: February 17 - 18 Eastern Idaho Tech. College, Idaho Falls Southwest Idaho Regional February 25 - 26 BSU, College of Engineering, Boise

State Convention March 11, 2006 Discovery Center of Idaho, Boise

Page 6 ITAG/SAGEITAG/SAGE February 2006

Electronic Campus Interested in obtaining higher education credit in gifted and talented course-work? You can do so with computer based multimedia courses being offered by BSU, NNU, U of I and several other universities around the area. BSU is offering this course during the summer: Talented and Gifted: Working with High Achievers Instructor: Margie Arnzen, Portland State University

The course provides information on history of the Talented and gifted in relation to education, current law, and accepted

methods for referral,

assessment, and identification of these students. Learn about major program models, methods of differentiating instruction to meet the rate and level of learning, nderstanding of ways to meet the affective needs of gifted students, and lists resources for teachers and parents who would like more information. The computer-based courses are offered for credit in conjunction with an educational vendor, Virtual Education Software, Inc. (VESi).

For more information on gifted and talented courses via Distance Learning contact:

BSU—Joann Swanson , joannswan-son@boisestate.edu, 208/426-5622

NNU — Dr. Larry McMillin, 208/467-8495, 1-800-349-6938, lmmcmillin@nnu.edu or Lee Cook, 208/467-8491, 1-800-349-6938, lmcook@nnu.edu.

U of I—Linda Maxwell Silva, lsilva@uidaho.edu, 208/885-2879

LCSC—(who provides all the gifted and talented endorsement coursework classes) Dr. Wayne Carroll, wcar-roll@lcsc.edu - 208/792-2487 or Kimber-ley Verhines, kdverhines@lcsc.edu, 208/792-2265

Portand State University—Jeanette Nash 1-800-313-6744, jeanette_nash@virtualeducation.com www.virtualeduc.com

Win/Win with Job Sharing Susan & Scarlett

When Susan Wolfe, a fulltime GATE classroom teacher at Whitney Elemen-tary School, partnered with her Whit-ney colleague and long time college buddy Scarlett Randall to co-teach this 4-5-6 GATE classroom, the two knew they would have the time of their lives.

So far, into their second year in this arrangement, these two compliment each other’s teaching style as yin to yang. Sue’s organizational style con-trasts with Scarlett’s in-depth no-fear can’t-gross-me-out style like The Odd Couple’s Oscar and Felix; type A to type B; artistic and sequential to ran-dom yet scientific. These friends often joke about Scarlett’s piles of papers and Sue’s neat nick organization.

This arrangement was a shotgun wed-ding of necessity: Scarlett’s husband was shipping out to Iraq for an 18 month stint (hence safely returned), and Scarlett needed flexibil-ity and time for her fam-ily while still maintain-ing her teaching posi-tion. Sue was looking for a way to spend more time with her family and progress on her ad-vanced degrees without going crazy (the results on that one are pending).

At first, the two split the week, teaching entire days. They’ve since found a better match in a daily split. Sue’s mornings are social studies, literature, language, art. Scarlett’s afternoons are science, health, and math. In a day, the student experi-ence ranges from social sciences and multi-discipline liberal arts instruction to the analysis of the scientific method and cow eyeball dissection.

Instruction is differentiated, and the classroom is truly a family of caring and helping. A range of ages and abilities in every subject means there’s the opportu-nity for teasing and intimidation, but these students have learned the art and joy of support for each other and the classroom environment.

Like a marriage, a job share must be

approached with care and trepidation. In this Whitney classroom, Scarlett and Sue share the common fundamental value of educational philosophy and a hands-on methodology. Their instruc-tional strategies are common, but dis-tinct. While catching up on paperwork in the back of the classroom, observing the other instruct, each teacher truly marvels at the other’s lessons.

Sue claims to have learned so much watching Scarlett’s approach to teach-ing math & science with a contagious excitement. Scarlett marvels at Sue’s techniques to engage students in novel studies and her ability to excite students on “dry” sentence diagramming and writing mechanics. Both teachers feel fortunate in this arrangement, and believe it benefits the district, students, and their own quality of life.

The district benefits with two experi-enced teachers contributing to the

school environment. The students benefit academically in the variety and richness of instruction, and also see two best friends interact with

each other on an adult level (mostly). Sue and Scarlett don’t always see situations from the same perspective, and problem solve in the presence of the students on daily issues like com-puter problems and time scheduling. Truly, the students learn from this ma-ture give-and–take relationship; com-promise taking place on real classroom life issues. In turn, they treat each other with respect, and model the compro-mise with their peers and others. The result is a classroom with a warm, car-ing environment where students grow emotionally and academically.

Feel free to contact Sue or Scarlett if you’re contemplating a job share: scar-lett.randall@boiseschools.org or susan.wolfe@boiseschools.org.

Both teachers feel fortunate in this arrangement, and believe it benefits the dis-trict, students, and their own quality of life.

Page 7 ITAG/SAGEITAG/SAGE February 2006

Council for Exceptional Children Conference

April 5—8, 2006 Salt Lake City, Utah

TAG Pre-convention Workshop: Wednesday, April 5th # 10. Gifted Students with Learning and Attention

Difficulties: The Promise and the Challenge Susan Baum, College of New Rochelle, New York

TAG Saturday Strand Critical Issues in Gifted Education

Mary Ruth Coleman, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

For more information, registration, and lodging info, visit www.cec.sped.org 888/232-7733

Idaho member, Sherrie Bosserman, has been elected to the Board of Directors of CEC-TAG (Council for Ex-ceptional Children-The Association for the Gifted).

Sherrie has been a longtime ITAG member, involved in many state level activities, and helps organize summer Edufest. She is also the current Idaho State CEC Presi-dent. Sherrie said she is honored to have the opportunity to represent Idaho and other rural areas on a national level and is looking forward to working with other profession-als across the nation in advocating for gifted children.

CEC-TAG was organized as a division of The Council for Exceptional Children in 1958. TAG plays a major part in helping both professionals and parents work more effec-tively with one of our most precious resources: the gifted child • strive to improve educational opportunities for individuals

from all diverse groups with gifts, talents, and/or high po-tential.

• sponsor and foster activities to develop the field of gifted education, such as the dissemination of information, the conduct of research, and other scholarly investigations.

• support and encourage specialized professional preparation for educators of individuals with gifts, talents, and/or high potential, as well as for professional persons in related ar-eas.

• work with other organizations, agencies, families, or indi-viduals ITAG was organized as a subdivision of CEC-TAG

about 30 years ago and has since expanded to ITAG/SAGE.

2006 CEC-TAG Board Members

PAST PRES., Gloria Taradash, Initiatives for Education, Albuquerque, NM PRESIDENT, Diane Montgomery, Oklahoma State University VICE PRESIDENT, Tom Southern, Educational Psychology, Miami Univer-sity, Oxford, OH TREASURER, Elaine Dumas, Little Rock, AR SECRETARY, Cheryll M. Adams, Center for Gifted Studies & Talent De-velopment, Ball State Univ., IN

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Kristie Speirs Neumeister, Center for Gifted Studies & Talent Dev., Ball State University, IN Sherrie Bosserman, Kuna District GT Coordinator, Idaho State CEC President, TAG Edufest Coordinator Mary G. Rizza, Bowling Green State University CANADIAN, Michael Pyryt, Centre for Gifted Education, University of Calgary, Canada STATE DEPARTMENT, Jacqueline Medina, Gifted Ed., Colorado Depart-ment of Education

EDITOR, JEG, Tracy L. Cross, Ball State University, IN CAN COORDINATOR, Ken Dick-son, Coord., Gifted/Talented Ed. & Magnet Programs, Baltimore County Public Schools PARENT COMMITTEE CHAIR, Ella Mae Gogel, Cedar Falls, IA WEB MASTER, Del Siegle, Neag Cen-ter for Gifted Ed & Talent Dev., Univer-sity of Connecticut REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY Laurence J. Coleman, Dept. of Early Childhood, Physical & Special Educa-tion, Toledo, OH, NEWSLETTER EDITOR, Sandra C. Poolaw, American Indian Institute, Uni-versity of Oklahoma KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS COM-MITTEE REPRESENTATIVE, Susan Johnsen, Baylor University, Ed Psychol-ogy, Waco, TX SET WORK GROUP FACILITATOR, Margie Kitano, San Diego State Univer-sity, CA

Summer Programs It is not too soon to start thinking about what you and your kids will be doing this summer. NAGC

provides a listing of summer programs, summer camps, enrichment programs, academic programs and special schools.

To search for summer programs, go to the NAGC Resource Directory (www.nagc.com), choose "Summer Camps" in the Service Area, and click Search. NAGC also provides an article on How to Choose a Summer Program.

Another place to locate summer programs, camps, and activi-ties is in you local area family magazines. The Treasure Valley Family Magazine, provides a comprehensive listing of summer camps and other events in their April issue. The information can also be located on their website under Resources, www.treasurevalleyfam-ily.com.

Council For Exceptional Children Conference Join other TAG professionals at this year’s CEC Conference to be held in Salt Lake City!! Register before March 10 and receive a discount and another discount for five or more registering at the same time.

Don’t miss out on these conference TAG events!

Wednesday Pre-conference: 8:30 am-4:00 pm —Gifted Students with Learning and Attention Difficulties: The Promise and the Chal-lenge with Susan Baum Thursday, Friday & Saturday TAG Sessions: 9:30 am—6:00 pm Thursday, TAG Business Meeting, 5:30 —6:30 pm Thursday, TAG Social, 6:30—7:30 pm Saturday , TAG Strand, 8:30 am—3:30 pm, Critical Issues in Gifted Education with Mary Ruth Coleman (CEC President Elect)

ITAG/SAGE Officers

President Marcia Wall, Kellogg mrwall@imbris.net H 682-2193 W 765-0992

President Elect Linda Stokes, Boise dale_stokes@yahoo.com H 362-9049 W 794-7054

Vice President Marti Pike, Twin Falls pikema@tfsd.k12.id.us H 404-1660

Secretary Linda Hawley, Idaho Falls lindahawley@hotmail.com H 524-7099 W 525-7626

Treasurer Karen Grindle, Meridian Karen81646@yahoo.com H 895-6612 W 888-3002

Regional Representatives

Region One Karlicia Berry, Post Falls Karlicia@yahoo.com H 773-2642

Region Two Vacant

Region Three Susan Wolfe, Boise Susan.wolfe@boiseschools.org H 429-9641

Scarlett Randall, Meridian Scarlet.radall@boiseschools.org H 898-9548

Kathleen Hodge, Meridian ephodge@cableone.net H 884-1869 W 455-3321

Region Four Kristi Turco, Hailey Kturko@blaineschools.org H 788-3018 W 788-3019

Region Five Cathy Kratz, Pocatello Kratzc@ds25.k12.id.us H 233-5352 W 237-2503

Region Six Jennifer Tuck, Idaho Falls tuckjenn@d91.k12.id.us H 525-8077 S 525-7626

Vicki Chase, Idaho Falls Chase@d91.k12.id.us H 522-8842

Webmaster Stuart King, Boise webmaster@itag-sage.org H 440-1188 W 794-7054

Edufest Coordinator /Newsletter Editor Sherrie Bosserman, Kuna sbosserman@homeinternet.net H 344-1761 C 447-8409

Page 8 ITAG/SAGE February 2006

Ten mini-grants at $200 each, are available for innovative ideas that promote gifted education in schools and benefit gifted children. The grants are to help fund projects that provide direct support for pro-grams and/or materials for gifted chil-dren. Ideas that in-directly benefit gifted children will also be considered. Applicants must be ITAG/SAGE members. Grant recipients will be announced at the ITAG/SAGE general membership meeting at the October CEC Confer-ence in Sun Valley. A one “show-and-tell” page for our scrapbook will be due by May 20. Applications must be postmarked by September 15.

2006 Mini Grant Application Applicant Information: Provide the following information: Name, email address, home and work phone, your role (facilitator, parent, counselor, administrator, other), and school.

Description (Please be brief, but in-clude necessary information!) 1. Describe the innovative idea you wish to implement. Be as specific as pos-sible and include such details as the dates of activities and roles of any persons working on the project/activity.

2. Describe how the project/activity will promote gifted education and benefit gifted students.

3. How will you evaluate whether or not you and/or your students achieved the goals and benefited from the project/activity?

4. Amount of money needed ($200 limit) and proposed expenditures of funds.

Send before September 15 to: Karen Grindle, Idaholady2@yahoo.com, 2642 N. Sweetwood Ave., Meridian, ID 83642

Check out the NAGC Website If you haven’t browsed the NAGC website re-cently, you should. One spot in particular to check out is Advocacy and Legislation. In-formation on pending legislation, teacher preparation issues, advocacy, statistics on gifted education and much more can be found there. Here is a sampling from the Why We Need Gifted Education under the Know your Information link. www.nagc.org

61% of class-room teachers in the U.S. have no training in gifted and talented yet GT students spend over 80% of

their time in their regular classroom? Taking Advanced Placement classes greatly

increases a student's chances of graduating from college? • Although gifted education programs and ser-vices yield increased learning gains for high-ability students, gifted education funding at the state and local levels ebbs and flows with the economy. 17 states allocated no state funds for gifted programs in 2002. • In 2005, .00029% of the federal K-12 educa-tion budget goes to gifted and talented students. • By comparison, 3% of the federal K-12 educa-tion budget goes to the Reading First Program, 2% to Drug Prevention, and 2% to English Language Acquisition. 57% covers the rest of the programs in the No Child Left Behind Act, and 31% is dedicated to children with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (Note: al-though some states classify gifted students without disabilities in the "special education" category, federal funds from IDEA does not support these programs.) • When looking at the federal K-12 budget for FY 2005 in smaller increments, the Javits program, the only federally funded gifted education initiative, receives three cents out of every $100 spent on education. In contrast, Reading First gets $3.50, English Language Acquisition gets $1.80, all other No Child Left Behind programs (in aggregate) re-ceive $57.75, and IDEA programs receive $31.10. • Talented students from accelerated classes outperform non-accelerates of the same age and IQ by almost one full year on achievement tests. • Talented students from enriched classes outper-form initially equivalent students from conventional classes by 4 to 5 months on grade equivalent scales. • Researchers have found that elementary teachers can eliminate from 24 to 70% of high-ability students' curriculum by compacting without any negative affect on test scores or performance. • Students who have not taken an AP have a 33% chance of obtaining a Bachelor's Degree. However, students who have taken one AP course in high school have a 59% chance, and students who have completed two or more AP courses have a 76% chance of earning their bachelor's degree.

-from www.nagc.org

PAGE (Parent Advocates for Gifted Education) February meeting will be Tuesday, February 21st, at Jackson Elementary School, 334 S. Cole Rd. in Boise. To sign up for the group's listserve send an email to: TVPAGE-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Page 9 ITAG/SAGE ITAG/SAGE February 2006

Funds for Regional Meetings

ITAG has appropriated $100 annually per region to help support regional facilitator meetings. Re-gions are divided roughly as North, Eastern, and Southwestern. Regional meetings are usually held two or three times a year, hosted by a differ-ent district each time. The meetings are a time when area facilitators can network, review new research findings, share information, bring in speakers, and do planning for regional activities.

To apply, send information to: Karen Grindle karen81646@yahoo.com, 2462 Sweetwood,

Meridian, ID 83642, FAX (208) 895-6612

Regional Meeting Support Application Name ___________________________________ Title _________________District _____________ Address /City/Zip __________________________ Phone Numbers____________________________ E-mail Address ____________________________ Write a brief description of intended meeting dates, location, and topics of discussion.

ITAG/SAGE Membership Idaho the Association for Gifted Education/State Advocates for Gifted Education is a combined

group whose mission is to improve the availability and quality of information, programs, and training for gifted and talented education in Idaho. More information can be found at www.itag-sage.org.

ITAG is the Idaho subdivision of the national CEC-TAG (Council for Exceptional Children-Talented and Gifted division). If you are a member of the national organization, CEC-TAG, you are a member of ITAG/SAGE. Only national CEC members are eligible for CEC conference discounts. To join the national CEC, log on to www.sped.org.

SAGE is a local affiliate of ITAG, hence, ITAG/SAGE.. ITAG/SAGE association is also an affiliate of the NAGC organization.

ITAG/SAGE MEMBERSHIP FORM Name _________________________________ Home Address __________________________ City/State/Zip __________________________ School Address__________________________ City/State/Zip __________________________ Home Phone _________ Work Phone _________ E-mail ________________________________ CEC member # (if it applies) ________________ (If you are a CEC-TAG member, you are a member of ITAG. )

Send $25.00 check to ITAG/SAGE: Karen Grindle, 2642 N. Sweetwood Avenue Meridian, ID 83642

In a national sur-vey of third and fourth grade teach-

ers, the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) found that 61 percent had no train-ing in teaching highly able stu-dents. In a study of pre-service teacher preparation, the NRC/GT found that during student teaching experiences, pre-service teachers rec-ognize that students have differing needs and indicate that giving stu-dents assignments commensurate with those needs and evaluating them on varying scales was appropri-ate. Unfortunately, however, the study found that in most cases, the student teachers found no connec-tion between the needs they ob-served in the classroom and the training they received in their uni-versity pre-service preparation programs.

There is a need, then, to ensure that teachers have some understanding of how to identify gifted students and how to meet their educational needs before the teacher reaches his or her first classroom experience. S.493 and H.R. 1156 will help ensure that pro-spective teachers receive the neces-sary knowledge about the educa-tional needs of gifted and talented students by providing an incen-tive through existing grant programs in Title II of the Higher Education Act to im-prove the knowledge of new teachers about the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

S.493 and H.R. 1156 would: • allow teacher preparation pro-

grams, in partnership with schools of arts and sciences and high-need school districts, to use the funds to infuse undergradu-ate teacher coursework with units on the characteristics of high-ability learners

• allow grant funds to create or expand new-teacher mentoring

programs on the needs of gifted and talented students

• encourage states to incorporate a focus on the learning needs of gifted and talented students into reforms of teacher preparation programs, reforms of state certi-fication and licensure require-ments, or new alternative teacher preparation programs

Finally, and perhaps most impor-tantly, S.493 and H.R. 1156 will help ensure that high-ability stu-dents have access to the education needed to reach their full potential.

The Congress will consider the Higher Education Act this year. In order to add this legislation to the text of the HEA, we need to show that Members of Congress support gifted and talented students. Advo-cates have already succeeded in ob-taining some Senate and House co-sponsors, but more is needed.

You can help by contacting your Senators and Representative and urge them to become cosponsors of S.493 or H.R. 1156. NAGC sent let-ters to the House and Senate commit-tee leaders urging that they include H.R. 1156 and S.493 in the Commit-tee versions of the Higher Education

Act. More information at www.nagc.org.

C. L. ̀ `Butch'' Otter 1711 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515-1201, (202) 225-6611, www.house.gov/otter

Michael K. Simpson 1339 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515-1202, (202) 225-5531, www.house.gov/simpson

Larry E. Craig 520 Hart Senate Office Building, Wash-ington DC 20510, (202) 224-2752, http://craig.senate.gov/

Mike Crapo 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6142, http://crapo.senate.gov/

S.493 / H.R. 1156: Bills to Increase Teacher Familiarity with Educational Needs

of Gifted and Talented Children

Check out http://www.edufest.org for the latest program information on Edufest 2006.

Join us for one of the summer’s premiere conferences on gifted and talented education...

July 23 - July 28

held on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, ID in association with CEC-TAG and ITAG/SAGE. Boise, Idaho is nestled at the edge of the mountains and is easily accessible by car & most major airlines...including Northwest, Delta, United, Southwest, & Horizon.

Edufest 2006Celebrating our 10th Year

“Edufest has made a major impact on my life. It is probably the single best thing I've done for my career.”

Plus 36 Week-Long Workshop PresentationsMonday, July 24 -- Thursday, July 27

Session 1: 8:30-10 a.m. (12 different sessions from which to choose)Session 2: 10:30- noon (12 different sessions from which to choose)Session 3: 1:30- 3 p.m. (12 different sessions from which to choose)

and Special Topics PresentationsMonday - Wednesday from 3:30 - 5 p.m.

(12 different sessions from which to choose each day)

Don’t Miss this

Exciting

Educational

Opportunity for

•Classroom

Teachers

•Gifted and

Talented

Coordinators

•Administrators

•Parents

•Counselors

Featuring a Week of Keynote Presentations by Internationally and Nationally Recognized Experts in Creativity Issues and Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education

Sunday Keynote (5-7:30 p.m.)Michael Clay Thompson

“Knowledge Required: Rigorous Content Must Be the

Core of GiftedEducation”

Monday Keynote(6-8:30 p.m.)

Bonnie Crammond

“Creativity: Glorious Gift or Awful Affliction? ”

Tuesday Keynote(6-8:30 p.m.)

Susan Casey

“Invention as a Creative Activity”

Thursday Keynote(3:30-5 p.m.)

Rachel McAnallen

“Teaching Mathematics Creatively”

Friday Keynote(8:30 a.m. - noon)

Carol Ann Tomlinson

“Curriculum and Instruction that Feeds the Soul”

Also featuring Dr. Robin Schader & Dr. Joan Franklin Smutney for Parent Day (July 22) and Dr. Larry Rogien for School Counselor and Psychologist Institute – “What I Wish They Would Have Told Me

About Gifted Students: The Role of School Counselors and Psychologists” (July 24)

Registration Form for Gifted and Talented

Edufest 2006Registration Deadline - July 14, 2006

Name Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Dr.__________________________________________

First Name to be Used as Your Badge Name ____________________________

Home Phone _______________________________________________________

Home Address ______________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State _______ Zip ________________

Email Address ______________________________________________________

School _____________________________________________________________

School Address _____________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State _______ Zip ________________

School Phone _______________________________________________________

($100 deposit per person with this form)

Method of Payment_____ Check payable to Edufest 2006_____ Purchase Order Number _____________ Amount ____________

Registration Deadline -- July 14, 2006 (Deduct $25 per person if registration is postmarked by June 1, 2006)

Four Options—Select the one that meets your needs!

___ $385 Commuter. Includes conference, Thursday banquet, no other meals

___ $480 Commuter with meals. Includes conference, lunches, and dinners

___ $520 Resident without meals. Includes conference, Thursday banquet and no other meals, and double occupancy dorm room without private bath

___ $620 Resident with meals. Includes conference, all meals, and double occupancy dorm room without private bath

___ I wish to have a private dorm room, please add $75 to my registration fee (Sorry...none of the dorm rooms have private baths).

___ Female ___ Male

Preferred Roommate _______________________________________

School District/Affiliation ____________________________________

All options include a snack before Sunday evening’s keynote and a Thursday evening banquet.

Make check or purchase order payable to Edufest 2006 and mail to Edufest 2006, PO Box 45086, Boise, ID 83711-5086

NOTE: Edufest participants may register for three graduate credits for an additional fee. Course registration and payment occur during the Edufestconference. The credits are billed at the credit provider’s graduate credit fee. These courses meet the requirements for the Idaho gifted and talented endorsement requirements.

General InformationConference check-in is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. The first session begins Sunday evening at 5 p.m. The conference ends on Friday, July 28 at noon.

FeesRegistration fees include all cost of instruction, morning and afternoon refreshment breaks, materials packet, a snack on Sunday before the keynote, and Thursday evening's dinner. The residential packages can include all meals and overnight accommodations. Only breakfast is served on Friday. A deposit of $100.00 per person is required with each registration form. Payment in full or a purchase order is required BEFORE Edufest 2006 begins.

Special DiscountsDeduct $25 per person if registration is postmarked by June 1, 2006.

Refunds and CancellationsAll monies will be refunded if paid registrations are cancelled by 4 p.m. MDT, July 9. If the participant does not attend and does not cancel on or before the above date, the $100.00 deposit will be surrendered. All requests for refunds must be submitted by September 1, 2006.

HousingAccommodations will be provided in the Boise State University residence halls. Some single rooms are available for an additional fee. We will assign you a roommate if you do not specify a roommate on the registration form. Registrations must be received by July 9 in order to stay in the BSU dorms.

Academic CreditYou may elect to receive one to three graduate-level credits from Northwest Nazarene University for an additional fee.The graduate-level credits meet course requirements (or an elective course requirement) for the Idaho gifted and talented endorsement, as well as the requirements for recertification and pay scale increases. Credit registration and payment occur during Edufest 2006. Course requirements will be available in April.

ITAG/SAGE 2420 SPAULDING BOISE, IDAHO 83705

IDAHO, THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED/STATE ADVOCATES FOR GIFTED EDUCATION

Challenging all Children to Maximize their Potential

ITAG/SAGE 2006 February Newsletter