02-10-1986 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Presented to the Orono School Board by the Gifted and Talented Task F ce - January 13, 1986. PROGRAM' There is a need to delineate the scope and sequence of the presert gifted program. There is a like need to delineate the scope of who is prosr•tly being served vis a vis whn should be served. In order to accomplish this development of scope and sequence, the lask Force recommends thet the Facilitator for Gifted Programing be given an extended contract for a block of uninterrupted time during the summer. Likewise, there needs to be provision of funds to acquire the necessary Input from a representative from the elem"'sry level and one from the high school level. Such analysis would enable *•Ict to determine what gaps exist In its program, define a well -ay ogram, enable specific goals to be set, and desi- effective sr !nt offerings. STAff It is apparent ti,at additional staff must be provided. The Task Force recommends there be a teacher granted release time during the school day x s•cifically to assist the Facilitator with the gifted program at the elementary level and another like position be created at the high school level. This recommendation is for two part-time stair members. In our size district It is believed that a part-time position at both the elementary and the high school levels will have more credibility and be more effective than the establishment of one full-time position. The Facilitate*'< position should not be reduced In time. CURRICULUM: The Task Force finds some definite needs In the field of staff development In order to enable and encourage teachers to adapt their offerings to meet the needs of gifted students. Likewise, a well -focused program of staff development must be provided to enable teachers to feel a sense of 'ownership' of any curricular accommodations that are forthcoming. The foregoing !re the major needs the Task Force sees as high priorities for improving the good, existing gifted program. It should be recognized that in addition to these global need., there are very specialized improvements that the Task Force has discussed and which It recommends: (1) Consideration should be given to weighting grades earned 1n accelerated/enriched courses In O.H.S. similar to the precedent set with enriched courses in O.M.S. (2) A policy should be daveloped relative to what make-up work is required for work missed by a student participatino in pull-out classes such as Omnibus and Humanities. (3) A. clearer method of communication must be developed tc alert the Community to the workings of the gifted program within the District.