Jackie Drummer, an educational consultant, was commissioned to evaluate specific components of the HASD GATE plan. On October 26^th, 2009, she traveled to each school and met with nineteen focus groups. Jackie interviewed approximately 80 people: parents, students, teachers, administrators, GATE staff and Board members. Focus group discussions lasted one-half to one hour. A summary of her recommendations are listed below.

 

·         “Parents, teachers, administrators and Board members agreed that this evaluation is a much-needed step in the overall evaluation of the gifted and talented program. A number of changes have occurred in the last few years, and an evaluation was needed to gauge the effectiveness of these changes.”

·         “HASD prepared thoroughly for the evaluation. Great care was taken to compile and share documents from each component of the GATE plan. The day was well organized.

·         “Identification in the intellectual and some of the academic areas is clearly established and confirmed.”

·         “At the middle school level, respondents indicated that some of their gifted needs were addressed through sports, music, student council, quiz bowl and other extra-curricular activities.”

·         “There has been a huge improvement in the identification and communication.”

·         “We are moving in the right direction…”

·         “Acceleration decisions were made very carefully and the outcomes have been mostly positive.”

·         “Evidence from both the documents and from focus groups indicates that there are options and services that meet the mission and philosophy of the HASD GATE program, especially in the academic and intellectual areas.”

·         “Services are provided within the regular school day and school year.”

·         “100% of the middle school respondents understood how and why they were identified.”

·         “The GATE teachers have helped us with materials and resources.”

·         “When we plan for gifted kids, we learn to plan challenge for all learners.”

·         “Working with gifted kids is teaching us to differentiate.”

·         “The listing of GATE resources is quite comprehensive.” 

·         “There is ample evidence that the GATE resource teachers believe that parents and communication are a priority, and work hard to achieve this.”

·         “Students spoke highly of Mrs. B and Mrs. V and their ability to help gifted kids solve problems and advocate for themselves. Middle school students were especially articulate about learning to make school work for them better.”

·          “You have many wonderful things happening and have a commitment to growth and change.”

·         “GATE stakeholders are clearly committed to excellence.”

·         “GT teachers are on top of things – we know step-by-step how to identify kids. We use data regularly to be sure that gifted kids are in the right groups.”

·         “I learned a lot myself during the evaluation. Thank you for the opportunity of working with your district.”

 

 

·         Recommend the review of Policy #5016.1 (Valedictorian/Salutatorian Nomination and Wisconsin Excellence Scholarship) and Policy #5040 (Criteria for High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian and Selection Process for State of Wisconsin Academic Excellence Higher Education Scholarship), and Policy #5063 (Granting Credit for High School Level Courses Taught at the Middle School Level)

·         Revise the existing Gifted and Talented Students Policy.

 

·         Move Ms. Claypool’s office back to the high school so she is available to provide support to staff and students

·         Create an “honors” and “advanced placement” study hall area where gifted students can meet, study, and have their social and emotional needs met

·         Offer an “Advisory” period at the high school, during which time GATE students can be grouped together

 

·         Send GATE staff to local, state, and national conferences

·         Offer training on the unique needs (social. emotional, academic) to counselors and psychologists

 

·         Offer SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) workshops for parents

·         Provide opportunities for parents to connect with other parents