TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED & TALENTED
Member 01 The National Association tor Gifted Children (NAGel The ASSOciation for Gdle<! ITAG)
Vol. II No. I
TAGTTempo
Contents: T AGT Legislative Reception/Dinner. . . . . . . . . . . . .. Editor's Page .................................. TAGT Executive Board - 1981 ................... President's Report .............................. Parents ..................................... '.
1 2 2 3 3
Regional Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Legislative Report ............................ " 5 G /T Calendar ................................ 6-7 State G/T News ................................ 7 TAGTI ........................................ 8
March 1981
TAGT Hosts State Legislators TAGT hosted a receptionj dinner on Thursday. February 12, 1981, for all its membership and "friends of the gifted" in Austin. In addition to many of OUf state senators, representatives and their aides who attended, more than 50 percent of the members of the Texas State Board of Education were present. The support from parents and educators around the state was impressive. Under the able direction of Dr. Charles Patterson, Asst. Superintendent for Instruction, Killeen ISO, approximately 300 individuals participated in a very important legislative activity for TAGT. The overwhelming feeling of support for gifted education was apparent in the informal one-ta-one interaction.
Action Needed
(L. to R.) Andra Williams, Carolyn Lewis, Pam Smith, Carolyn Lane, Jay Hilliard & ,'ennie Vahrenkamp, all REACH tt'achers from Richardson ISO,
Immediately communicate to the Budget and Authorizing Comnmittees the total unacceptability of the Reagan-OMB Budget proposal which recommends a 20 percent reduction in federal education funds and the consolidation of 57 education programs. Correspond to: President Ronald Reagan. The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20500. MESSAGE: The 20 percent reduction in education funds represents an unacceptable withdrawal of the federal commitment to the education of exceptional children. In fact, such a reduction to P.L. 94-142 would result in a figure Jess than 10 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure (NAPPE) when Congress is authorized to pay 40 percent of the NAPPE. Secondly. the current proposal to consolidate programs and wholly replace existing legislation threatens the very goals for which acts like P.L. 94-142, The Gifted and Talented Act of 1978, and Section 504 were written--to help endure the necessary resourses and protections for the education of our nation's exceptional populations. These guarantees would be altered substantially and funds originally promised to these populations would no longer be guaranteed but rather could be extended for other purposes.
PARENTS
President's Report
Parent Bibliograpby 1980
At the January 17th meeting of the executive board. several important decisions were made that should
contribute to the ongoing thrust of appropriate education for gifted children in our state. Final plans for the
GIFTED from PARENTll'<G THE GIFTED: An Insen'ice Model. by Ella Mae Gogel & Janet McCumsey
Barbe. W. & Renzulli. J. PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED. Halsted Press. 1975. Bridges. Sydney. PROBLEMS OF THE GIFTED CHILD. IQ 150. Russak and Co .. Inc .. 1973. Brumbaugh. F. & Roshco. B. YOUR GIFTED CHILD: A GU IDE FOR PARENTS. Henry Holt & Co . Inc .. 1959 Clark. Barbara. GROWING UP GIFTED. Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co .. Bell & Howell Co .. 1979. Coffey. K.. et al. PARENTSPEAK ON GIFTED AND TALENTED CHILDREN. Ventura County Schools. Ventura. CA 93001.1976. Cutts. Norma & Mosely. N. BRIGHT CHILDREN: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS. G. Putnam's Sons. 1953. Delp. Jeanne & Martinson. Ruth. THE GIFTED AND TALENTED: A HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS. Ventura County Superintentdent of Schools. Book No.
6) Dickinson. Ritha M. CARING FOR THE GIFTED. North Quincy. The Christopher Publishing House. 1970 Dodson. Fitznugh. HOW TO PARENT. New American Library (Signet). 1971. Gallagher. J. J. TEACHING THE GIFTED CHILD. Allyn & Bacon. Inc .. 1975. Gardner. John W. EXCELLENCE: CAN WE BE EQUAL AND EXCELLENT TOO" Harper & Row. 1961. Ginsberg. Gina. IS YOUR CHILD GIFTED') Simon & Schuster. 1976. Ginsberg. G. & Harrison. C. H. HOW TO HELP YOUR GIFTED CHILD; A HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS. Monarch Press. 1977. Goertzei. V. CRADLES OF EMINENCE. Little. 1962. Gowan. John c.; Khatena. J.; & Torrance. E. P .. eds. EDUCATINGTHEABLEST: A Book of Readings on the Education of Gifted Children. F. E. Peacock. 1971. Heller. Sherrie Z. WHAT MAKES YOU SOSPECIAL" Thinking "CAPS" Inc. Box 7239. Phoenix 85011. 1979. Kanigher. Herbert. EVERYDAY ENRICHMENT FOR GIFTED CHILDREN AT HOME AND SCHOOL. National/ State Leadership Training Institute on the
Gifted and Talented. 1977. Kaufmann. F. YOUR GIFTEDCHILDAND YOU. The Council for Exceptional Children. Reston. VA. Khatena. Joe. THE CREATIVELY GIFTED CHILD; SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS. Vantage Press. 1978. Krueger. Mark L. ON BEING GIFTED Written by participants in the National Student Symposium on the
Education of the Gifted/Talented. Walker and Co .. New York. 1978.
March 1981
legislative dinner were completed, ways to improve the
dissemination of the T AGT newsletter were discussed. and a plan of action for the Association was developed. With this plan. certain areas of high priority were addressed. There is an expressed need for an improved
public relations effort to increase awareness about the needs of gifted children and special programs to meet these needs. Plans to assist in every way possible to secure increased appropriations for gifted programs were agreed to. and ways to increase membership in the Association
and to increase parent participation in all phases of the association's work were discussed. Having these specific
goals in mind should help us to respond responsibly to the growing interest in gifted education in our state.
Advocacy groups at the local level. joint efforts of parents, educators and interested citizens, are encouraged. Members of the executive board are ready to
assist local groups in any way possible. We can offer guidance and assistance at any organizational level.
T AGT is enhanced by the dedication of the members of the executive board. But. the real strength of any organization lies in the leadership offered by all its members. not just the elected few. Only you can help us by encouraging others to join us in our efforts for gifted children. You are our best voice in contacting legislators
to thank them for their support thus far. and hopefully to help us increase our services to路other districts. The fact that we have members in every corner of the state is a special plus in tis this regard. You are our best source of
information as to what is happening in your locality. Send this information to the TAGTTempo editor. We have large tasks ahead of us this year. but with your support these tasks can be successfully attended to. Judy Judy
President
JOIN
TACT TODAY
Maynard. Fredelle. GUIDING YOUR CHILD TO A MORE CREATIVE LIFE. Doubleday. 1973. Renzulli. J. S. WHAT MAKES GIFTEDNESS: A Reexamination of the Definition of the Gifted and Talented. N/S LT!. Ventura. 1979. Sanderlin. Owen ita. TEACHING GIFTED CHILDREN. A. S. Barnes. 1973. Strang. Ruth HELPING YOUR GIFTED CHILD. E. P. Dutton & Co .. 1960. Torrance. E. Paul. CREATIVITY. Fearon. 1969. Torrance. E. Paul. GUIDING CREATIVE TALENT. Prentice Hall. 1962 Vail, Priscilla. THE WORLD OF THE GIFTED CHILD. Walker. 1979.
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TAGT Legislative Report House Public Education Committee (P. O. Box 2910, Austin 78769) Hamp Atkinson, Texarkana, Chairman Wm W. (Bill) Blanton, Farmers Branch, Vice-Chairman Bill Haley, Center Erwin W. Barton, Pasadena John W. Bryant, Dallas Charles W. Evans, Hurst Milton E. Fox, Houston Wayne Peveto, Orange Joe C. Hanna, Breckenridge Lanny Hall. Fort Worth Ernestine Glossbrenner, Alice
House ApproprlBtions Committee (P. O. Box 2910, Austin 78769) Bill Presnal, Bryan, Chairman Don Rains, San Marcos, Vice-Chairman Fred Agnich, Dallas Frank Collazo. Jr .• Port Arthur So Crawford, Beaumont Matt Garcia. San Antonio Jay Gibson, Odessa Walter B. Grubbs, Abilene Bill Haley, Center Frank Hartung, Houston W S. (Bill) Heatly. Paducah Bill Hollowell, Grand Saline Dan Kubiak, Rockdale Paul Moreno, El Paso Jim Rudd, Brownfield Carlyle Smith, Grand Prairie lou Nelle Sulton. San Antonio Scnfronia Thompson. Houston Robert Valles, El Paso Foster Whaley. Pampa Doyle Willis. Fort Worth
Senate Education Committee (P, O. Box tl068, Austin 78711) W. E. (Pete) Snelson, Midland. Chairmap. Carlos Truan, Corpus Christi, Vice-Chairman Grant Jones. Abilene John leedom, Dallas Oscar Mau7.y, Dallas Mike Richard.~, Houston E. l. Snort. Tahoka Dee Travis, Garland R. l. (Bob) Vale, San Antonio Lindon Williams. Houston
Senate Finance Committee (P. O. Box tl068, Austin 78711) Granl Jones. Abilene. Chairman Ed Howard, Texarkana. Vice-Chairman Roy Blake. Nacogdoches Chet Brooks, Pasadena Ray Farabee, Wichita Falls O. H. (lkc) Harris. Dallas Peyton McKnight. Tyler Bill Mcier. Euless Carl Parker, Port Arthur H. Tati Santiesteban. EI Paso E. l. Short. Tahoka W. E. (Pete) Snelson. Midland John Traeger. Seguin
M,lrch 19XI
How to Contact a Legislator Representative government functions best when there is open and meaningful communication betwcen elected officials and thcir constituents on pressing legislative issues. As a citizen and as a professional witha command of at least onc field - the education of gifted children· you arc in a position to furnish related information to your electcd representatives at all levels of government. Principally. your contact may be through a tclephone calL letter. telegram, or personal visit. In any case, you should not misuse or abuse your access to him{her or his staff. However important, only part of their jobs is receiving and responding to hundreds. even thousands of communications daily However. if your contact with your representative is timely, responsible and respectful. the communication will be of mutual benefit. He needs you, and you need him. Telephone. Most elected officials maintain local offices in thelrllometowns wilh which they have constant contact. Be prepared prior to making your call. State thc reason for the call. A clear' statement from you of your reasons for or against legislation will be documented and reported to the legislator. If you are calling the legal legislator in his Austin office. you may lcave your number and name and indicate the general time you will be at the number so thcy may return your call. Your telephone conversation with the legislator or a member of his staff should follow thc usual rt11es of courtesy. Be pleasant. Be brief. Be prepared to answer questions or provide related information, as suffinctly and dearly as possible. Never threaten or intimidate. letter. An individually-composed lettcr is an excellent way to communicate with your representative. The same letter sent by hundreds of people is not effective. .. Send a typed letter. if pos~ible, on one side only . .. Address to: Honorable John Doe. House of Representatives. P.O. Box 2910, Austin. TX 78769. Dear Mr. Doe. Hon. John Doe, State Senate, P. O. Box 12068. Au~tin. TX 78711. Dear Senator Doe . .. Present communcations in a professionaJ way: correct letter fonnat, good sentence structure. spelling. etc Para. I Identify the subjcct of your leiter (giftedltalerhed funding. etc.) If writing about a specific bill. refer to the House or Senate bill number. Para. 2 Prcsent your reason~ for writing about the bill-your own personal or professional experience provides the best supporting evidencc. Be reasonable. Don't a~k for the impossible. Don't threaten. Para. Ask the legislator where he ~tands on the subject. Ask him 10 state his position in his reply. Para.4 Express your appreciation for his attention to your letter. .. Unless you are using professional or personal letterhead. be sure your full name and address appears after your signature Keep abreast of how your local legishHors vote. If he you with his vote on an issue. write and tell him so A large amount of the mail legislators receive is from di~pleased constituents. The timing of your letter is important. If possible write when a bill i~ pending in committee. Howcver. sometimes your legislator may reserve hi~ judgment. and his vote. until the sentiment of his constituency has crystalli7ed plcase~
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If p....we; Or. okan AJg,n, Fd~ndowood; Ro-p. Randy PennlnKton: BurrlnglOn: J ........ I..arrakH" Dr. NonnB Button. of t'lnk {'rHk
(1. to R.) Tom Marjori~
11. to R.I Dr. AI"'n O. bo",.n. t"ommi .. lon .... ofEducatlon. A""tln. l,vnclla R<-<lor.
par@nt.Kurvill•.
11. to it.1 Jo Ann Houotin. A.. t. Supt.j{"urriculum. Grapt',in • .(·oUy, iU~ J Sl~ 1Ir1' ('harl~, f:,·an •. Hur.t. Mary f'nonc .. Hull. t'OM Worth
Telegram. A good technique.. if nol over-used. The hest way to support or oppose a hill ON THE DA Y legi~latl\e action is expected. Pcrsonal Opinion Messages (POM) i~ a IS-word maximum plus your name and address which i~ il\ailahle through Western Union for $2 each. Toll-free number: 1800-325-5380. Personal visit. Because of the tremendousl\" hectic schedule of all legj,\lators. you may be routed to a .\tatf member at the time of your appointment. Usually this i" not intended to slight you or the subject matter about which you are concerned. Aides and staff members. for the most part. arc quite knowledgeable ahout legislali\c matters and will be ab!c to pil~S on your conccrn~. A thank-you note following your vi.~it is a MliSl. (All the above information is're!cvant to contact with fcderal!cgislators with the c--;ception of thc addre~sc~.)
1981 TAGT Fall Conference
1981 Calendar of G/T Activities March 7
Region 10 ESC Workshop, "Straight from the Horse's Mouth .. University of Texas at Dallas.
T AGT members, wishing to make suggestions for session topics for the 1981 TAGT Fall Conference are urged to call or write Dr. Charles Patterson:
Contact Micky Mayer, G/T Coordinator. Box Region 10,
P. O. Box 967 Killeen. TX 76541 (817) 526-8361
Box 130, Richardson, TX 75081. (214)231-{i301. Fee: 52.00 March 19-21
National Creativity Conference. N/SLTI & Office of the Ventura
March 21
"Curriculum for the GiftedTalented Student" a seminar presented by Sally J Patton. "How To" centers focusing on Bloom's Taxonomy; how to record and evaluate the progress of each student. P. O. Box I 1786. Sausalito. CA 94966.
Topics relating to PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT or COUNSELING & GUIDANCE FOR THE GIFTED are especially requested.
(County) California
April 4
T AOT Executive Board Meeting, Austin, TX.
April 12-16
National Conference, TAG, New York City.
April 10-11
TAG Festival. Adult & children's programs co-sponsored by area organizations and Richland College. Barbara Clark. keynote speaker.
April 30
For PARENtS & EDUCATORS "Educating Gifted, Creative & Talented: Future Direction" featuring Dr. Irving Sato. National/State Leadership Training Institute,; Dr. Dorothy Sisk, University of South Florida; Carolyn Callahan, University of Virginia; Bill Nash, Texas A & M; and Dr. John Feldhusen, Purdue University., plus five school presentations. East Texas State University, Commerce. Preregistration. $10.00. includes lunch & banquet. Some dorm spaceavailable. Contact: Joyce Miller, Dept. of Secondary & Higher Education. T E T S U, Commerce 75428 (214) 8865600.
April 12-17
CEC/TAG National
CEq
G/T State News One view of "Get Together II" This drawing was done by Bette E Solovey. Gifted/Talented Teacher, Robstown ISO. as she listened to speakers at the two-day TEA "Get Together II" in Austin. Dr. Donald Treffinger, Professor of Creative Studies. State University College, Buffalo. NY. and editor of Gifted Child Quarterly, was the keynote speaker. Points made by Dr. Treffinger interwoven into this drawing include: Children tied up in paper work; the complex mind of the gifted; finding and identifying the gifted; the need for individual planning; no heavier burden than a great potential. The Luncheon speaker was Rep. Charles Evans (note clock and name. ) As a "catalyst" teacher, Mrs. Solovey pointed out, "Dr. Treffinger's nine points were very exciting. Also. the thought of being a 'consultant in residence' to classroom teachers would be beneficial to both."
Convention,
New York City. The Council for
Exceptional Children. 1920 Association Dr.. Reston. VA 22091. "Creativity Conference" Dr. Mary Meeker,' Texas Woman's University. 3-hrs. Graduate Credit. June 8-12
"Growing Up Gifled~ Good Apple Workshop. Texas Woman's University. 3-hrs. graduate credit. 9-3 pm.
November 10-14
Annual Convention, National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), Portland. OR
November 20-21
Fourth Annual Fall Conference, Texas Associatin for Gifted & Talented. Inc. (TAGT) San Antonio, TX
March 1981
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