2004 Customer Satisfaction Survey (PDF, 566 KB) - TEA - Home ...

Teachers:
Gifted and Talented
What’s happening to/for the gifted students in the state of Texas?
1. Identification and programming for twice exceptional gifted students, those with learning disabilities
but very high IQ or creative potential. 2. Development of an equalizer type of identification for gifted
students coming from culturally diverse or low, socio economic backgrounds.
A key concern is the diminishing number of people at TEA in the Advanced Academic areas. Another
concern is the possible abolishment of the Texas Mandate for Gifted and Talented. We must keep
our expectations and programs for all students, including the gifted as a priority. Mediocrity is not
acceptable for Texas students. We need to give them every opportunity to excel.
The State Plan for the Education of the Gifted is wonderful! It provides a wonderful goal for our district.
PLEASE keep it intact!!
G/T student success.
The loss of the Division of Advanced Academic Services has really spoken clearly. There is a super
saying, “What you accept is what you expect.” If we don’t feed our bright students (no, they don’t get
it on their own), then TEA is leaving some bright children behind!
Accountability for the gifted program is a must. Cut back on some of the indicators but evaluate it.
Teachers with experience are being left out of the pool as resources and future teachers. Many are
still able.
Emphasis on identifying and serving the gifted students.
Gifted and Talented, Please provide more updated TAKS help for 3rd and 4th grade. Especially stories
where the children read two selections, and then answer questions where they have to compare and
contrast the selections.
Gifted and Talented programming and financial support. Accountability for the GT program.
Gifted and Talented programming and financial support. Accountability for the GT program.
Curriculum and support for Gifted and Talented programs.
Special Education Needs/Concerns
Low kids that do not qualify for Sp Ed still need somewhere to go for extra help, just like there resource
kids do.
Special Education is always a concern and yet the programs are often pushed aside in favor of GT and
other programs, but that is not what you wanted to know here I am sure.
Slow learners, meeting their needs and getting them help.
Appropriate curriculum for students who are Deaf.
DAEP/AEP schools, funding, at-risk programs.
Special Education reforms/adjustment/alternatives.
Special Ed all but 1% on grade level in about 10 years is a concern.
Special education criteria and cap size.
Special Education Classes, Some students are 20 years old with a 4-year-old mental age.
Special Education. Finding suitable arrangements for severely emotionally disturbed children. They are
a danger to their classmates, teacher and aides. They deprive other students of their right to an
education.
Services provided for special education students and their families.
Special education policies. SDAA use. Counted as part of school rating.
Special Education needs to be reformed. We cannot teach grade level TEKS with 1/3 to 1/2 of the
class containing non-readers. Small districts cannot afford the proper and adequate personnel to
comply with current mainstream regulations. I suggest that teachers decide upon the child placement
entirely, and that more attention is given to the B, C student. I also believe that TEA should be
abolished, and that student tracking and school evaluation be done through the local service centers.
Much waste can be avoided by simply abolishing TEA.
Survey Research Center, University Of North Texas
121