Superintendent Candidates Quotes on Gifted Education

Below are quotes by the two superintendent finalists for Rochester Community Schools on gifted education and high ability kids from their interviews before the Board of Education on January 9, 2013.  Videos of the interviews of all candidates are available at http://rochester.ezstream.com/ I have not transcribed audio clips from Dr. Robert Martin, but he also mentioned ways to meet the needs of G/T students.

We plan on asking questions regarding gifted education of the superintendent finalists at the community interview and providing transcriptions at that time.

Dr. Robert Shaner, Executive Director of Instruction and Technology of Warren Consolidated Schools:

• [regarding the achievement gap] One of the things that we’ve experienced in Warren which has been interesting for us as we continue to strive higher and higher with our higher achieving kids, our gap becomes wider and wider.  And that’s not to say that our teachers aren’t working hard with the kids that are struggling as well.  That’s that the gap is widening.

Dr. Dave Richards, Superintendent of Fraser Public Schools:

• [regarding being globally prepared] We have to prepare kids to work in that environment and to do it in a socially and communication – electronic communication – manner much better than what we are doing right now.  And I think that takes a look at the programs and services that we offer.  I get back to creating a culture and an environment where kids can move on when ready.  I think the state is starting to recognize the importance of seat time not necessarily being a fixed thing.  That that can be a variable, where learning is the fixed and we allow kids…  We know what our content standards are.  We know what mastery looks like.  We just have to create a school system that allows kids, especially the gifted, especially those that are in advanced, or even the kids that need a little more time, that they can move at that pace.  And we can do that.  We have the right thinkers, I will say, to have that conversation and to think, it’s cliche, outside that box.
• [regarding using iPads in education] The technology, the resources, is simply another way to extend that learning opportunity whether a student needs added support or whether they want to move on quicker, those resources allow them to do that.  The toughest part is creating a system that allows structurally a kid to … if I only need ten weeks or fifteen weeks to complete a class, a particular class, that I can do that.

Thank you for reading Rochester SAGE.  Together we can make a difference for gifted children!