KPGT ADVOCACY

Affiliate Group of:

Does your child's school have a KPGT liaison?

KPGT
P.O. Box 581
Katy, TX 77492-0581

Advocacy:
Please participate in KISD GT services survey: We are concerned that the flyers and postcards that the district sent home may have been overlooked in the hectic pace of May, so we are doing our best to make sure that GT families don't miss this opportunity. We have made it easy for you by simplifying the link addresses below. KPGT members gave input into the design of this Katy ISD survey, but now students and parents need to take a few minutes to give YOUR thoughtful and complete feedback. We are certain that your input will go directly into GT services, so please participate and make sure every GT family you know completes them by Friday, May 22nd. PARENT Survey links: Grades 1-5 Grade 7 Grade 9 & 11 STUDENT Survey links: Grade 7 Grade 9 & 11 (There is no link for STUDENTS in grades 1-5 because 3rd, 4th and 5th graders were given a survey opportunity in their Challenge classrooms.)
A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students "This national report highlighted the disparity between the research on acceleration and the educational beliefs and practices that often run contrary to the research." Please read the report and decide for yourself by following this link. Volume One is an easy-to-read executive summary and Volume Two is a detailed collection of the research supporting the conclusions in the summary. Volume One has even been translated into seven other languages. KPGT has distributed almost 100 copies of "A Nation Deceived" to principals and other key decision-makers throughout Katy ISD. Current members of the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent Alton Frailey and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Clark all received their personal copies on November 24, 2008. Principals began receiving theirs earlier in November. In this era of budget tightening and increasing state accountability standards, KPGT seeks to support the commitment of Katy ISD to growth for each and every student. Sound research findings such as those in "A Nation Deceived" can only help educators make wise decisions for the benefit of all students.
Ability Grouping/Clustering Research Many of the best practices in gifted education are: supported by quality, peer-reviewed research, cost little to implement and have positive effects for the entire classroom. Ability grouping is a best practice supported by almost 100 years of research but today, it is not universally practiced. This is a link to the research summary document KPGT has distributed to Katy ISD educators along with "A Nation Deceived." Below are links to a 25-minute podcast interview with the primary source of the research summary. This podcast is highly recommended for any parent who would like to know more about how to advocate for ability grouping. Play it on your computer HERE Download to iTunes from HERE
2009 KISD School Board Candidate Forum preparation Packets included: a detailed cover letter about our views on KISD's current GT services a copy of "A Nation Deceived" referenced above and linked here a copy of the Ability Grouping/Clustering Research Summary linked here 3 brochures on KISD's GT and Advanced Academics Programs including Math/Science Investigators a copy of our Nov/Dec 2008 Connections Newsletter a list of KPGT's advocacy issues (see below) a link to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. and a copy of the 2009 Forum format.
KPGT's Advocacy Issues: While we always seek to raise general awareness of the nature and needs of gifted students, the KPGT Board is focused on the following platform of current advocacy goals: � Maintain the elementary Challenge pull-out program; strengthen district oversight of it � Strengthen and expand the Math and Science Investigators program � All elementary campuses clustering identified GT in groups of 4-8 students in the non-Challenge classroom with teachers skilled in differentiation and the nature and needs of gifted children � Support for subject-based acceleration on all elementary campuses � Secondary GT Independent study promoted and available on every campus � More clearly defined district expectations/accountability for a discernable difference between Pre-AP/AP and GT in secondary with appropriate class clusters � Promote and expand Credit by Exam � clarify process & exceptions � Explore magnet school options in long-range planning
KISD High School Concept Committee KPGT encourages everyone in our community to stay informed about the direction of Katy ISD. One such opportunity is to become familiar with the findings and support materials of the Framework for the Future: High School Concept Committee. This committee was charged with reviewing what changes might be needed in our high school paradigm in order to meet the needs of our current fourth grade students as they enter high school. KPGT is providing a PDF of the committee's findings brochure here. Please note on the back of the brochure, many of the committee's source materials are cited. We will be compiling the same list as links here as soon as possible.
Texas State Uniform GPA KPGT is continuing to follow developments in the proposed Texas state uniform GPA for admission to Texas public universities. The current proposal appears to be stalled.