June 2024 Committee on Instruction Item 11
Discussion of Proposed Amendment to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students
June 27, 2024
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss proposed amendments to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. The proposed amendments would clarify terminology and requirements related to gifted/talented education that are necessary to align with updates to the rule requirements of House Bill (HB) 1525, 87th Texas Legislature, 2021.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102 and §29.123.
TEC §7.102, 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.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: The proposed amendments to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students will be presented for discussion at the June 2024 SBOE meeting. The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students will be presented for action at the September 2024 SBOE meeting.
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 (G/T) students. The 1990-91 revision included guidelines for school districts to follow that assisted with 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.
As pursuant to Section 29.123 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), the State Plan provides the basis of G/T services, accountability, and assistance to school districts, charging the SBOE with periodically updating the State Plan guidance. At the April 2019 Committee on Instruction meeting, the State Plan was presented for discussion. It was then presented for action and approved by the board at the June 2019 SBOE meeting.
Staff Members Responsible:
Kristin McGuire, Associate Deputy Commissioner, Special Populations Policy, Integration, and Technical Assistance
Laura Briones, Director, Special Populations Policy, Technical Assistance, and Systemwide Integration
Monica Brewer, Coordinator, Gifted and Talented, Policy, Technical Assistance, and Systemwide Integration
Attachment:
Proposed Amendment to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students