The specific mission of the gifted education division of the ESC is to provide a continuum of services to meet cognitive, academic and affective needs of gifted children.

 

 

The Gifted Education Department of the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County is composed of educational professionals who are committed to providing direct service, professional development and ongoing communication to consortium districts. All supervisors are licensed in gifted and talented education as well as administration/supervision. They provide both administrative and teacher support while interpreting HB282 as it relates to gifted program development and implementation. These professionals provide supervision of teachers, identification services, professional development opportunities and serve as advocates for gifted education programs and the students they serve.

 

Wayne Gibson - Director of Gifted Services

Jim Buzzanco - Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence and Richmond Heights

Stephanie Cutlip - North Royalton, South-Euclid/Lyndhurst            

Beth Hager - East Cleveland                                     

Pat Rehm - Brecksville-Broadview Heights                                          

David Dewey - Bedford, Garfield Heights and North Olmsted


                          

                                                                                                                       

 Gifted Education Services:

 

The Gifted Education Department of the ESC acts as a resource in assuring compliance with current Ohio Legislation and ODE policies. A variety of services are available to consortium members requesting them include the following:

 

1.    Development and implementation of gifted identification processes for all students.

2.    Gifted program development and coordination of gifted services

3.     Facilitate completion of the written education plan (WEP) for gifted students.

4.      Inform parents, teachers, and administration of the needs and rights of gifted children.

5.      Complete submit reports as required by ODE:

a.      Supplemental identification fund

b.      Gifted self-report

c.      EMIS reporting

6.      Facilitate development and implementation of academic acceleration and testing policies.

7.      Act as a liaison for parent advocacy groups.

8.      Provide curriculum support for differentiation of instruction.

9.      Facilitate program evaluation.

10.   Ongoing communication with parents, teachers and administrators.

11.   Provide professional development opportunities.

12.   Serve as liaison between the school district and gifted student activity opportunities sponsored by the ESC.

 

 

The gifted education division of the ESC provides opportunities to advance gifted education through day long workshops designed for students in the gifted consortium. Activities are aligned with the Ohio academic content standards and include:

 

·        Orienteering/GPS - using a map, compass, and GPS unit middle school students follow a course with challenging problems to solve along the way. 

·        Leadership Seminar - designed for high school students to develop leadership skills.

·        Middle School Arts Seminar - providing students a behind the scene experience at The Beck Center for the Arts.

·        Peaceful Solutions - a seminar for high school students designed to promote peace through a variety of art forms.

·        Academic Competitions - Equations, Mr. President, Onwords, Propaganda are games showcasing students knowledge in a variety of specific academic areas. These games are rotated on a regular basis with one competition taking place every year.

·        Hyland Software Shadowing - High school students shadow developers and quality assurance professionals at Hyland Software in Westlake, Ohio.

·        Public Speaking – designed for high school students to develop public speaking techniques.

 

Contains comprehensive information on gifted education in Ohio as well as links to other sites.

The national organization for gifted children. Contains links to research and articles in gifted education.

Provides information on Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students, Assessment Instruments, Acceleration Plans, and Parent’s Guide to Early Entrance to Kindergarten.

Provides information for gifted education and materials from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia