500 in PA Cyber Gifted-Talented Program

High achievers without GIEP can participate in online school's GATE program

MIDLAND, Pa., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Question: what commonality do these students share?

A young American who trains with the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet in Russia. The 2010 Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen. A young man who hummed incessantly at age 4, composing music in his head, now a teenage music composer training at Julliard. A first-grader, age 7, who takes advanced calculus. A budding geneticist and 4-H Club rabbit breeder whose rabbits are breeding like, um, well, rabbits.

Answer: they are among the 300 students with a GIEP (Gifted Individualized Education Plan) currently enrolled in the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School and it's GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) program.

The PA Cyber GATE team has developed a program that allows an additional 200 high-achieving students to participate in GATE classes and activities. Students enrolled in the STARR (Student Tasks for Academic Rigor and Responsibility) program may or may not have been tested for the required minimum IQ of at least 130 for a GIEP, yet have demonstrated strong academic achievement.

These 500 students represent 5 percent of PA Cyber's total enrollment of 10,000 students K-12, about 10 times as many GATE participants as in most schools - and participation keeps growing as families learn about the programs, said GATE Coordinator Karie Walaan.

"Generally speaking, if students don't have a tested IQ of 130, they do not qualify for a GIEP, though Pennsylvania now allows some exceptions for early skills and demonstrated achievement through multiple criteria," said Walaan. "But many other wonderful, high-achieving, intelligent students are enrolled at PA Cyber. The GATE team created STARR because we wanted to offer those students an opportunity to expand their academic possibilities. Today GATE/STARR students may choose from a menu of special enrichment classes, educational excursions and academic competitions.

"As our program grows each year, we offer more unique opportunities for our students. Some of these opportunities are rarely seen in other cyber schools, or any other school for that matter," said Marian Acon. A full-time GATE consultant at PA Cyber, Acon has coordinated gifted-talented programs in both traditional and online schools during her 41-year career in education.

Requirements for GIEP, STARR

Anna and Frank Trovato of Pittsburgh have two sons, Gianfranco and Vincenzo.

Gianfranco Trovato, a math- and science-minded sophomore who hopes to enroll at MIT, has a GIEP. Vincenzo, a seventh grader, has not taken the IQ test for a GIEP, but as a STARR member can take part in the same classes and field trips as his brother. Both boys are exceptional students, ranked fencers, and musicians who perform with the Eastern Pittsburgh Youth Orchestra.

GATE/STARR is "a wonderful program," said Anna Trovato. "It gives them the opportunity to take classes and be exposed to subjects they normally would not experience."

Program field trips and events are called GATE Days. One of the Trovato brothers' favorites was letterboxing on the grounds of the Frick Museum. They and 30 other PA Cyber GATE/STARR students spent hours deciphering cryptic clues and directions to find hidden boxes. Gianfranco, said Mrs. Trovato, looks forward to another GATE Day when a small group of students will spend the day with college graduate students in the neurobiology lab at the University of Pittsburgh.

With the help of other PA Cyber teachers and staff, Walaan, Acon, and GATE Facilitator Joel Cilli lead all GATE Day excursions, including those coordinated out of PA Cyber's Harrisburg and Philadelphia offices. Parents often accompany their children on trips, especially when a concert, theater or ballet performance is the destination.

One of the biggest benefits of the GATE and STARR programs for students is simply the opportunity for these bright young students to meet one another.

Anna Trovato said her sons "love a lot of the science and social studies programs, and since the same certain group of kids seem to take the same programs, they all get to know each other."

To be accepted into the STARR program students must maintain a 3.25 GPA and have the recommendation of their instructional supervisors. They also must meet two of the following criteria: test above grade level in reading or math in DORA-DOMA tests administered by the school, have tested to advanced status in annual PSSA state tests or equivalent standardized tests, and/or have accelerated grade placement.

The process of obtaining a GIEP for a student usually begins with a request from a parent or teacher that a student be tested, said Walaan. A school psychologist administers a standardized test such as the WISC-IV, the Fourth Edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. An IQ score of 130 or higher on this test places the individual in the top 2 percent of the population for intelligence.

A multidisciplinary educational team meets initially with parents to review test results, relay information about the GATE program, and explain the benefits of a GIEP. The team formulates an educational plan in line with the abilities and the academic plans of the students and parents. Students may participate in GATE activities as much or as little as they wish during the school year. Pennsylvania law strictly requires annual updates of a child's GIEP.

Acceleration 'a huge benefit'

"Time Magazine featured a wonderful article that said profoundly gifted students are happiest working two to three grade levels above their age grade," said Acon. "Grade acceleration is a huge benefit of a gifted program, and PA Cyber's GATE/STARR team works diligently to appropriately place its students."

The GATE/STARR program offers four sessions each year of online enrichment courses taught by school instructors that are available exclusively to GATE and STARR students. Class members meet virtually online once a week for six weeks to learn about a wide range of topics. A few examples are Exploring Philosophical Thinking, Ghosts of Gettysburg, Weapons that Changed the World, Life in Pittsburgh 100 Years Ago, Archeology, and Easy Science Labs at Home.

Every three months the GATE staff meets with a group of PA Cyber teachers who serve as advisers and peer coaches. "We can learn so much from each other when we take the time to sit down to talk and plan," said Acon.

These same teachers find research papers, resources and articles on gifted-talented education that are shared with GATE parents.

The GATE/STARR team offers many exciting, fun, and innovative educational opportunities to its students. "The GATE/STARR team prides itself on going the extra mile for our students," said Cilli.

Contact Fred Miller, [email protected], 724.643.1180 x1377

SOURCE PA Cyber Charter School