Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council
The Gifted and Talented Advisory Council advises the Commissioner and the Board of Education on meeting the special educational needs of students who are academically advanced (gifted and talented) and issues concerning academically advanced education in the Commonwealth. Made up of parents, educators, content experts, and community representatives, the Council represents a variety of interests and perspectives that support challenging learning opportunities for students. Along with the advice of members, the Council relies on research in the field by nationally recognized experts when developing recommendations for the Commissioner and the Board of Education. The work of this council supports the goal of providing a world class education for all students within the Commonwealth, in every school, across every city and town, and from all economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Council Charge
A recent report detailed the current state of gifted education in Massachusetts, and highlighted an absence of adequate programming, particularly for students of color. Specifically, more than three-quarters of Black and Hispanic students identified as academically advanced in 3rd grade are no longer in the top decile by 6th grade. In response, the Commissioner has charged the council to identify recommendations for how the Department can support districts and schools in addressing the inequities outlined in the report.
SY2021-2022 Meeting Schedule
| Date | Time | Location | Minutes |
|---|
| July 15, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | This meeting is being held remotely. If you would like to attend, please email Thomas Zorich for the Zoom information. | |
| August 19, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | This meeting is being held remotely. If you would like to attend, please email Thomas Zorich for the Zoom information. | |
| September 16, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| October 21, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| November 18, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| Dec 16, 2021 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| January 20, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| February 17, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| March 17, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| April 21, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| May 19, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
| June 16, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Location to be determined | |
SY2020-2021 Meeting Schedule
Sub-Committees
| Meeting | Date | Time | Location | Minutes |
|---|
| Definition of Giftedness Sub-Committee Meeting |
December 18th, 2020 |
6:00pm – 7:00pm |
Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. |
|
| Educational Models Sub-Committee Meeting |
January 18th, 2021 |
4:00pm – 5:30pm |
Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. |
|
Related Resources
Council Members
| Members | Title | Institution |
|---|
| *Meena Bharath | Former School Committee Member/ Chair | Hopkinton Public Schools |
| **Katharina Elbert | Advocate | Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education |
| Kenya Guerra | Parent | Hampden County |
| Betsy McCoach | Professor | University of Connecticut |
| Yaileen Moscat | Student | Abbott Academy, Lawrence |
| Tyrone Mowat | Founder | Ed Inquiry |
| Takeru Nagayoshi | Teacher of the Year | New Bedford Public Schools |
| Marty O'Shea | Superintendent | Longmeadow Public Schools |
| Courtney Perdios | Parent | Quincy Public Schools |
| Magalie Pinney | Parent | Brockton Public Schools |
| Donna Potter Astion | Enrichment and Academically Advanced Specialist | Berkshire hills Regional Schools |
| MaryGrace Stewart | President | Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education |
| Lance Sun | Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | The Sage School |
| Heny Taraz | Challenge Lead Teacher | Waltham Public Schools |
| Myriam Ulloa-Skolnick | Principal | John R. Fausey Elementary, West Springfield
|
*Chairperson
**Co-Chairperson
DESE Staff Contacts
Thomas Zorich, Liaison to the Council
Ventura Rodriguez, Senior Associate Commissioner
Last Updated: July 28, 2021