1 of 8

Equity and Access in Advanced Programs

November 2020

2 of 8

Increasing Transparency

Gifted Website Update

Easier to locate
Full gifted plan
Sources of referrals
Gifted FAQ
Contacts for Gifted Education
Secondary Advanced Programs

Including summer enrichment opportunities

One of the things I heard early on was that it felt like you needed to have a secret password to unlock the door to the gifted program. While that certainly wasn’t the case (we have a vibrant, thriving program) families seemed to not know what it was all about, where it began, or how participation was determined. We, of course, know that lack of transparency can make things seem secretive or hidden, so we decided to swing the door wide open on our gifted program to avoid that impression.

With the help of our new Coordinator of Technology, we were able to totally revamp the gifted website linked to Goochland County Public Schools. We know this is where many people begin any search for knowledge nowadays, so we wanted a meaningful presence on the web.

Previously sheltered under “exceptional education” and somewhat hard to find
Now directly linked under instruction.
The content of the site itself is much more comprehensive

Includes a link to the full school board approved Gifted Plan for the 2020-21 SY
Hosts FAQs on the gifted identification process, including who can make a referral, when referrals are solicited, what criteria are used in a gifted evaluation, and what possible outcomes exist for a student going through the gifted referral process. The site also contains a link to the actual gifted referral form for ease of access by community members.
Additionally, the gifted website includes an overview and links for more extensive information on secondary advanced programs, such as Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School, and Advance College Academy. Summer gifted opportunities, such as Regional and Residential Governor’s School options are also highlighted.

3 of 8

Increasing Communication

GRT’s offering “Behind the Scenes” sessions
Schoology groups for Gifted and Monitored ID secondary students.
Tapping different communication lines

YouTube
Recorded GoogleMeets
Schoology Groups
NAACP
Church connections

In addition to providing transparent information on the internet, we also wanted to opened the lines of communication regarding gifted services within GCPS.

Partnering with Principals and School Engagement Staff, the Gifted Resource Teachers of the three elementary schools have been reaching outside of “the bubble” of gifted to offer “behind the scenes” sessions on gifted identification, services, and characteristics of giftedness. Many of these sessions have been offered synchronously online allowing for parents to ask questions, but they have also been stored and linked online for families who were unable to attend to access when convenient.
At the secondary level, one of the comments I heard from community members was that the “program” feeling of gifted education seems to wain, in part because there is no direct classroom instruction from a Gifted Resource Teacher for parents to reach out to. But there is a Gifted Advisory teacher at both GMS and GHS who serves as a conduit of information for teachers, students, and families serviced by the gifted program! Again, we just needed to take some steps to make that resource more readily accessible and visible to our stakeholders. Thus, the Gifted Advisors at both GMS and GHS have created Schoology groups for gifted students. Here they post all of the enrichment opportunities and supports available to our accelerated learners. So far this year, these announcements have included things like Saturday enrichment classes at The William and Mary Center for Giftedness and application information to a variety of programs, including Summer Residential Governor’s Schools and Governor’s World Language Academies.
We’ve also spent a lot of time thinking about the linces of communication that currently exist within our community that we can tap into. The NAACP Education Committee and a local ministers network are two avenues we have shared information about advanced programs applications and supports, for instance. Another common communication tactic that I was particularly excited to utilize this year to enhance communication was YouTube. We held our annual Advanced Programs Information Night this year on Oct. 26 and families could attend in person. Approximately, 20-30 did. That evening, we simulcast the event on YouTube, and by the end, as many as 50 other viewers had been viewing the program. I checked the counter this evening, and the number of view is up to 171. Incredibly excited about the amplification of that message via technology that allows families to connect when convenient.

4 of 8

Increasing Support

Timeline for each program
Weekly reminders in Schoology and GMS messages
Additional help

Governor’s School “Real Talk”
Maggie L. Walker Application Help Session
Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School Application Help Session
Essay support (pending)

Another area I’ve looked to make improvements over the past several months is in support of students considering applying to advanced programs. Many are housed in 8th grade, including MLWGS, BRVGS, and ACA. For many of these students, these applications are their first formalized process that they must navigate largely on their own. As with any beginner, they may need support to make sure they finish the process successfully.

Towards that end, we created timeline cover sheets for each program that are shared with each application.
Counselors and the Gifted Advisor have been posting reminders everywhere for 8th graders- Schoology, weekly messages, and even on the marquis of GMS
More than just deadlines, however, we are interested in supporting students in seeing themselves as successful applicants to these programs.

Incorporated a GoogleMeet “Real Talk” session with current Governor’s School and ACA students logged in to answer questions from perspective applicants
Gave the student perspective on homework, clubs, activities, and even school spirit rituals that put everyone at ease.
Tomorrow, the GMS counselors and I will host the first of two Governor’s School application help sessions. Students log in with questions or to get feedback on their applications.
In January, we anticipate that MLWGS may send out a take-home essay prompt to replace the testing that is usually a part of their application, but has been canceled due to COVID. When this occurs, we anticipate offering a special virtual support session for that component of the application, as well.

5 of 8

2019-20 Advanced Programs Applications

Looking back on those adjustments, I feel confident in the support that is being provided to all students and families of GCPS regarding advanced programs. We know, however, that some students may need additional supports to even see things like MLWGS as an option for them.

What I am sharing now is data that has significantly impacted the direction of the supports that we have put into place thus far. This bar graph represents the percentage of different racial groups that made up the GMS 8th grade class last year, and the percentage of those same groups that occurred in the applications to advanced programs last year.

The blue represents GMS. Orange MLWGS, Grey BRVGS, and the yellow ACA.

Focusing on the tallest blue line, we see that white students…..overrepresented in the applicant pool. Not an issue. We are GCPS. We want to maximize the potential of every learner, so an overrepresentation in applying to a lofty goal is not an issue. An underrepresentation is, however.

6 of 8

Advanced Programs Applications 2019

7 of 8

8 of 8

True Reflection

Peer Mentors
Strengths-based Identification
Personal Connections & Encouragement
Comfort Matters

These efforts included taking steps to put true reflections forth of these students as people who can be successful at MLWGS, BRVGS, and ACA.

Our recruitment and support events we already talked about included panels of students, carefully selected to represent diversity
Students could see themselves reflected in the stories shared
We identified based on advanced math placement, MAPs scores, and GPA 15 SOC who would be strong applicants to the program. Reached out via mailing to each of them to let them know we see their potential and inviting them to apply, including timeline of support efforts
Counselors are following up with those same students to make personal connections and encouragements. Linking those students to programs that best suite their future goals.
Lastly, we know that comfort matters. Whether it’s the “Real Talk” panel of kids talking to kids or the informal “drop-in” application support opportunities with teachers and counselors whom they know, we planned our events to maximize the comfort of students in this process and to help them envision themselves on the other side of it.