(105 ILCS 5/14A-30)
Sec. 14A-30. Funding of local gifted education programs. A local program for the education of gifted and talented children may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education, pursuant to a request for proposals process, if funds for that purpose are available and, beginning with the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year, if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan (i) showing that the applicant is capable of meeting a portion of the following requirements, (ii) showing the program elements currently in place and a timeline for implementation of other elements, and (iii) demonstrating to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education that the applicant is capable of implementing a program of gifted education consistent with this Article:
(1) The use of a minimum of 3 assessment measures
used to identify gifted and talented children in each area in which a program for gifted and talented children is established, which may include without limitation scores on standardized achievement tests, observation checklists, portfolios, and currently-used district assessments.
(2) A priority emphasis on language arts and
mathematics.
(3) An identification method that uses the
definition of gifted and talented children as defined in Section 14A-20 of this Code.
(4) Assessment instruments sensitive to the inclusion
of underrepresented groups, including low-income students, minority students, and English language learners.
(5) A process of identification of gifted and
talented children that is of equal rigor in each area of aptitude addressed by the program.
(6) The use of identification procedures that
appropriately correspond with the planned programs, curricula, and services.
(7) A fair and equitable decision-making process.
(8) The availability of a fair and impartial appeal
process within the school, school district, or cooperative of school districts operating a program for parents or guardians whose children are aggrieved by a decision of the school, school district, or cooperative of school districts regarding eligibility for participation in a program.
(9) Procedures for annually informing the community
at-large, including parents, about the program and the methods used for the identification of gifted and talented children.
(10) Procedures for notifying parents or guardians of
a child of a decision affecting that child's participation in a program.
(11) A description of how gifted and talented
children will be grouped and instructed in order to maximize the educational benefits the children derive from participation in the program, including curriculum modifications and options that accelerate and add depth and complexity to the curriculum content.
(12) An explanation of how the program emphasizes
higher-level skills attainment, including problem-solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, and research skills, as embedded within relevant content areas.
(13) A methodology for measuring academic growth for
gifted and talented children and a procedure for communicating a child's progress to his or her parents or guardian, including, but not limited to, a report card.
(14) The collection of data on growth in learning for
children in a program for gifted and talented children and the reporting of the data to the State Board of Education.
(15) The designation of a supervisor responsible for
overseeing the educational program for gifted and talented children.
(16) A showing that the certified teachers who are
assigned to teach gifted and talented children understand the characteristics and educational needs of children and are able to differentiate the curriculum and apply instructional methods to meet the needs of the children.
(17) Plans for the continuation of professional
development for staff assigned to the program serving gifted and talented children.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-1152, eff. 7-21-10.)
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Last modified: February 18, 2015