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.
SY2020-2021 Meeting Schedule
| Meeting | Date | Time | Location | Minutes |
|---|
| G/T Education Advisory Council | October 22nd, 2020 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | Meeting Minutes |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | November 19th, 2020 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | Meeting Minutes |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | December 17th, 2020 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | January 21th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | February 25th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | March 18th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | April 15th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | May 20th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
| G/T Education Advisory Council | June 17th, 2021 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Please email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link. | |
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
Gifted Education in Massachusetts: A Policy and Practice Review
Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education
National Association for Gifted Children
Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut
Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary
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
Craig Waterman, Liaison to the Council
Ventura Rodriguez, Senior Associate Commissioner
Last Updated: January 14, 2021