November 2023 Committee on Instruction Item 4
Discussion of Proposed Updates to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students
November 16, 2023
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for staff to present to the committee a proposed process to update the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (State Plan).
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(15) and §29.123.
TEC, §7.102(c)(15), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt criteria for identifying gifted and talented students and develop and update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented students.
TEC, §29.123, requires the SBOE to develop and periodically update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented students to guide school districts in establishing and improving programs for identified students.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE approved updates to the State Plan in June 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The State Plan was first approved and adopted by the SBOE in 1975 with the goal of assisting school districts in their efforts to meet the needs of gifted/talented students. The State Plan was then revised in 1980-81 to include a comprehensive outline of school district responsibilities and activities, and to provide guidance for planning, implementing, and providing appropriate educational services for gifted/talented students. In 1990-91, the State Plan was again revised to reflect the changes that had occurred during the previous ten years, including a 1990 statewide mandate for the education of gifted/talented students. The 1990-91 revision included guidelines for school districts to follow that assisted with Texas Administrative Code (TAC) rule compliance and in implementing exemplary programs to assure quality services to gifted/talented students.
In 1996, the SBOE adopted a revision of the State Plan that reorganized the guidance to school districts into a three-column format. The first column, labeled ‘Acceptable,’ established the basis of program accountability. The second and third columns, established a recognized and exemplary level, providing school districts with a guide for program improvement. The three-column format was continued in the 2000, and 2006 versions of the adopted State Plan. In 2009, the SBOE approved a revision of the State Plan that included updated language to the three-columns, establishing the ‘In Compliance’ column as the basis of accountability for gifted/talented services and programming. In addition, the second and third columns provided guidance to school districts on ‘Recommended’ and ‘Exemplary’ targets of service.
Pursuant to TEC, §29.123, the State Plan provides the basis for Gifted/Talented (G/T) services, accountability, and assistance to school districts. TEC, §29.123 charges the SBOE with periodically updating the State Plan. At the April 12, 2018 Committee on Instruction meeting, the committee discussed the gifted/talented administrative rule and the State Plan. At that time, the committee asked TEA staff to develop a process to update the State Plan to be discussed at the June 2018 meeting. A summary of feedback received on the current State Plan was provided to the committee at the June 2018 meeting. In June 2019 the SBOE approved updates to the State Plan based on feedback and recommendations.
Staff Members Responsible:
Justin Porter, Executive Director, Special Populations
Monica Brewer, Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Special Populations
Attachment:
Text of 19 TAC Chapter 89 Subchapter A