Klein Revamps Gifted And Talented Program
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

On October 29, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced a plan to unify all gifted and talented programs, limiting access only to students who score in the top 5 percent on admission tests.

With school grades in, the Department of Education invited parents to visit schools and confer with teachers last week for Open School Week. This year, the DOE's theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility".

Also celebrated from November 11 through 17 is American Education Week, a national recognition of the importance of providing every child with a quality public education. Initiated 86 years ago by the National Education Association, it began the tradition of parents coming to school to discuss their childrens' progress.

Among the topics discussesd in public schools, the gifted and talented are usually not at the top of the list. But DOE has embarked on an ambitious and somewhat controversial program to change that. On October 29, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced a plan to unify all gifted and talented programs, limiting access only to students who score in the top 5 percent on admission tests.

A town hall meeting was held in Queens on November 8 at Hillcrest H.S. to present details on the proposal and give parents an opportunity to ask questions.

Deputy Chancellor for Curriculum and Learning Dr. Marcia Lyles said DOE has submitted the proposal to revise gifted and talented programs because prior programs were "inequitable and inefficient".

"We had 32 school districts, all with different processes," she said. "It was uneven, at best."

Before the "Children First" initiative, gifted and talented programs had different applications, placements, outreach, curriculum and professional development. but last year, for the first time, all students applying to gifted and talented programs took the same tests, the Gifted Rating Scale (GRS) and the Otis Lennon School Abilities Test (OLSAT).

DOE also created a central placement for gifted and talented programs, run by the DOE Office of Enrollment. Applications, assessments and other items of parent information were translated into eight languages. Study units, based on the core curriculum, were developed for gifted and talented programs and partnerships for professional development were made.

"But we need to take the next step," said Lyles. "There is no citywide standard for 'giftedness' and access to gifted and talented programs varies in different parts of the city. We believe this is unacceptable."

Under a two-year proposal, DOE intends to improve equity and access. This year, students who request testing will be able to be tested in their own schools and next year, all kindergarten students will be tested.

"We believe that testing in the home school will increase the number of students taking the test," Lyles said.

In addition, a "clear, high standard" for "giftedness" will be set, she said. Specifically, a new test, the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) will be used in place of the Gifted Rating Scale (GRS) in combination with the Otis Lennon School Abilities Test, which will continue. Both the BSRA and Otis Lennon are considered tests of cognitive ability, not an achievement test.

"The goal is to create universal opportunity," Lyles said.

In Queens, entry into gifted and talented programs begins in Grade 1. "Any child in Grade 1 who scores in the 95th percentile is guaranteed a seat," said Lyles. After that, entry depends on space. "There are just a finite number of seats available," said Lyles.

"My daughter is in the third grade," said Sheena Lee. Asking what happens if her daughter scores in the 95th percentile this year, Lyles said, "She will not be guaranteed a seat."

"Kids need to be reached wherever they are," said parent Michael Rosen.

"I agree with you 100 percent," Lyles said. "No child will be left behind." Nonetheless, she conceded, "Enrichment opportunities are very uneven."

Students currently enrolled in gifted and talented programs will not be affected. "Those students will, in effect, be grandfathered," Lyles said.

Parents who want their children tested this year can request a form from December 3 through January 3. They will be available in schools, district offices, and online.