Gifted Program Reviews in Pennsbury and Council Rock School Districts

On February 6, 7, and 8, 2013 a team of fifteen Delaware Valley educators met in the Pennsbury School District to conduct a review of the district’s K-8 gifted services.  Over the course of six months, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit Assistant Executive Director, Dr. Michael Masko and Gifted Consultant, James LoGiudice worked with Pennsbury Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Donna Dunar to plan and prepare for the review.

Team members included:

Lauren Almlof                         Bucks County Technical High School

Mel Benson                             Council Rock School District

Linda Block-Love                   Gifted Consultant

Allison Byruch                        Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

Elizabeth Glaum-Lathbury     Morrisville School District

Geeta Heble                            Neshaminy School District

Andrea Hiralall                       Bensalem School District

Daneyelle Jordan                    Council Rock School District

Eve LaPier                              Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

James LoGiudice                    Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

Michael Masko                       Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

John Nolen                              Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

Michael Scancella                   Centennial School District

Margaret Simpson                   Council Rock School District

Lorraine Stieber                       Centennial School District

The work of the review team focused on six key questions, which were developed by Dr. Dunar and Pennsbury School District staff in advance of the team’s visit:

Question #1:  Screening and Identification of Gifted Students

To what extent are screening, identification and placement procedures for the gifted adhering to Chapter 16 Regulations and requirements?

Question #2:  Meeting the Individual Needs of Gifted Students

To what extent does the GIEP, and the district’s instruction and programming meet the identified needs of each gifted student?

Question #3:  Staff Development

How is staff oriented to the nature of gifted students and appropriate instructional strategies?

Question #4:  Best Practices, Technology and Resources

To what extent does instruction of the gifted include the use of: differentiated instruction, varied resources, and technology?

Question #5:  Goals, Objectives, Philosophy and Vision

What is the nature of the gifted program? 

What are the plan, goals, objectives, philosophy and vision?

Question #6:  Coordination and Communication

To what extent is there coordination and communication within and about the gifted program?

Over the course of one hundred and nineteen individual and group interviews and classroom observations, the team collected information in a variety of areas and provided detailed answers to the six key questions, including findings, needs and recommendations. Team members identified program needs and made practical recommendations by applying their experience in the field to the information available, realizing that local conditions will determine local action.

On April 29, 30, and May 1, 2013, Dr. Masko and Mr. LoGiudice will lead another team of specialists in gifted education through a similar process in the Council Rock School District, focused on K-12 gifted services. Team members have been recruited from Bucks County schools and key questions are under development.