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Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

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

DateTimeLocationMinutes
July 15, 20215:00 – 7:00 PMThis meeting is being held remotely. If you would like to attend, please email Thomas Zorich for the Zoom information.
September 16, 20215:00 – 7:00 PMThis meeting is being held remotely. If you would like to attend, please email Thomas Zorich for the Zoom information.

SY2020-2021 Meeting Schedule

MeetingDateTimeLocationMinutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilOctober 22nd, 20204:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilNovember 19th, 20204:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilDecember 17th, 20204:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilJanuary 21th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilFebruary 25th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilMarch 18th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilApril 15th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilMay 20th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes
G/T Education Advisory CouncilJune 17th, 20214:00pm – 6:00pmPlease email Katharina Elbert to obtain zoom link.Meeting Minutes

Sub-Committees

MeetingDateTimeLocationMinutes
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

MembersTitleInstitution
*Meena BharathFormer School Committee Member/ ChairHopkinton Public Schools
**Katharina ElbertAdvocateMassachusetts Association for Gifted Education
Kenya GuerraParentHampden County
Betsy McCoachProfessorUniversity of Connecticut
Yaileen MoscatStudentAbbott Academy, Lawrence
Tyrone MowatFounderEd Inquiry
Takeru NagayoshiTeacher of the YearNew Bedford Public Schools
Marty O'SheaSuperintendentLongmeadow Public Schools
Courtney PerdiosParentQuincy Public Schools
Magalie PinneyParentBrockton Public Schools
Donna Potter AstionEnrichment and Academically Advanced SpecialistBerkshire hills Regional Schools
MaryGrace StewartPresidentMassachusetts Association for Gifted Education
Lance SunCoordinator of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionThe Sage School
Heny TarazChallenge Lead TeacherWaltham Public Schools
Myriam Ulloa-SkolnickPrincipalJohn R. Fausey Elementary, West Springfield

*Chairperson

**Co-Chairperson

DESE Staff Contacts

Thomas Zorich, Liaison to the Council

Ventura Rodriguez, Senior Associate Commissioner

Last Updated: August 12, 2021

 
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