The Elementary and Secondary Education Act –TheEvery Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Kentucky Association for Gifted Education knows that advanced learners are found in all cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. Gifted students must be given equity and access to effect instruction that addresses the unique needs of gifted learners in order to fulfill their abundant potential. That can only happen when educators make it a priority to support and/or gain an understanding of the issues involved and expertise in how to provide those appropriate learning opportunities. The KAGE Annual Conference offers professional development in gifted education that strengthens the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders to support relevant learning for these exceptional students. Please read below to see how ESSA can be used to help you attend the KAGE Annual Conference to gain needed knowledge and expertise in gifted education.
Title II, Part A is a U.S. Department of Education (ED) grant program that provides supplemental funding to help support effective instruction…………..….
In general, Title II funds can be used to provide supplemental activities that strengthen the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders. The purpose of Title II is to:
Increase student achievement consistent with state standards,
Improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders,
Increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools, and
Provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
Districts can use Title II funds for a wide range of activities to support the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals and other school staff. Activities supported with Title II funds must:
Be consistent with Title II’s purpose, and
Address the learning needs of all students, including children with disabilities, English learners, and gifted and talented students.………………………………
Examples present an overview of Title II spending options…………………………
Supporting Early Education Districts may use Title II funds to provide programs and activities to increase the knowledge base of teachers, principals, or other school leaders on instruction in the early grades and on strategies to measure whether young children are progressing.
Districts may also use Title II funds to provide programs and activities to increase the ability of principals or other school leaders to support teachers, teacher leaders, early childhood educators, and other professionals to meet the needs of students through age eight, which may include providing joint professional learning and planning activities for school staff and educators in preschool programs that address the transition to elementary school…………………………………………………….
Training on the identification of students who are gifted and talented, and implementing instructional practices that support the education of such students, including early entrance to kindergarten.………………………….
Supporting Gifted and Talented Students
Districts may use Title II funds to provide supplemental training to support the identification of students who are gifted and talented, including high-ability students who have not been formally identified for gifted education services, and implementing instructional practices that support the education of such students, such as:
Early entrance to kindergarten,
Enrichment, acceleration, and curriculum compacting activities (techniques relating to differentiated instruction), and
Dual or concurrent enrollment programs in secondary school and postsecondary education.
