THE DUKE GIFTED LETTER, spring edition, is now out. Article topics include spatial ability as a neglected talent domain, and how to enrich children who are spatially gifted; organizing gifted-education advocates at the district, state, and national levels; and Renzulli's three-ring conception of giftedness -- traits of above average ability, creativity, and task commitment, all of which combine in gifted behaviors. Find the newsletter.
AD/HD AND PESTICIDES. A study published this week in the journal Pediatrics noted a connection between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and an increased risk of AD/HD in children. The thesis is that the chemicals affect neural systems and lead to behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Read more.
SPECIAL ED ADVOCATE for this week focused on Extended School Year Services. Wrightslaw says this: "Extended School Year (ESY) services are special education and/or related services provided beyond the usual school year, at times when school is not usually in session - typically during the summer. ESY services are different from summer school, summer remedial classes, and summer enrichment programs. ESY services are individualized, based on the child’s needs as documented in the IEP, and are free of charge to parents." If you think ESY services should be in the mix for your gifted/LD child, read Special Ed Advocate.
GIFTED IN EAST HARLEM. The New York Times profiled a program for gifted 4- and 5-year-olds in East Harlem, New York -- and which shares its "scruffy" facilities with local middle schools. Read more.
RTI AND GIFTED EDUCATION. Prufrock Press is making available complimentary copies of the summer, 2009, issue of Gifted Child Today on the topic of RTI and gifted ed. Go to Prufrock to download the PDF.
SMART KIDS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES has announced the winner of its Youth Achievement Award for outstanding accomplishments by a student 19 or younger. The winner, a young woman from Missouri, calls dyslexia her secret weapon. The organization's Junior Achievement Award went to a 14-year-old who attends Bridges Academy in Studio City, California. Bridges and its highly capable staff are familiar to readers of 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter, which published Bridges' "Mythology of Learning" series of articles. Find out more about the awards.
GIFTED ACADEMY IN LAS VEGAS. Clark County had planned to establish a $2.5 million, standalone academy for highly gifted students -- but a $145 million budget cut is leaving the future of the academy in doubt. Read more in the Las Vegas Sun.
EDUCATORS GUILD. The Davidson Institute's Educator's Guild has a new post, including a profile of a gifted educator and updates from the institute. Find it. If you know a gifted educator to recommend for a future profile, you may do so from the page of the post.
NEW ORLEANS MAGNET SCHOOL. A high school founded post-Katrina for high-achieving and gifted students has graduated its first class, 39 students who bonded well, according to a recent article about the school. The article also covers the transition from conventional school to magnet school. Read it.
SPELLING BEE FAN? You'll have a chance to watch the 2010 National Spelling Bee on broadcast television, beginning with preliminary rounds on June 3rd. Find out more on the site of Scripps, sponsor the 83-year-old competition.
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