The Final Report - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

Decision Item #12:Effectiveness:Redundancies orAvailability of theService Elsewhere:REDUCE OVERALL ALLOCATION TO TAG PROGRAM (cont.)Specific data do not exist to confirm or refute the effectiveness of thisprogram. The only gauge of effectiveness is an outdated compliance auditperformed by the DPI in 1990, which noted several areas of noncompliancewith the DPI standard (t). Memos between the DPI and theDistrict indicate that some progress has been made in rectifying theseissues, however, the last documentation regarding this issue is 1994.A small number of students are also served by the Youth OptionsProgram, which requires the District to pay for attendance in universitycourses. However, this is only available to students in grade 11 andabove, whereas TAG serves students at all levels.For students grade 8 th and above, the data from the advanced placementprogram may offer data similar to what is being provided by the TAGInSTEP process. However, programming offered by advanced placementchanges the depth of the content provided but not the pace at which it isprovided. Both are key to effective TAG programming.Service Delivery:The recent transformation to the approach and delivery method fortalented and gifted programs results in a more effective use of resourcesfrom a district-wide perspective. Many districts do not have stand alonetalented and gifted programs, but rather incorporate the requirements ofthe program into other District positions and require that these students beserved within the classroom. The creation of the InSTEP process willsignificantly improve the ability of staff to monitor the needs of individualstudents and to identify specific content areas where instructionaldifferentiation is needed. Much of this work is done jointly with contentarea experts (i.e. content area resource teachers or coordinators).In addition, appropriate, consistent, and cohesive assessment andprogramming can be provided through 9.0 centralized FTE, by ensuringthat each school has a single TAG resource teacher.Virchow, Krause & Co. LLP Page 85March 11, 2002