Events, TAG

Community Forum to Introduce the New MMSD “Talented and Gifted” Education Plan

4 Comments

The MMSD is hosting a community forum to introduce the District’s new “Talented and Gifted” (TAG) Education Plan.
Tuesday, November 17
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Middle School LMC (4801 Waukesha Street)
Superintendent Nerad, Teaching and Learning Director Lisa Wachtel, Interim TAG Coordinator Barbie Klawikowski, and MMSD TAG staff will be there. The focus of the forum will be to provide an overview of the new Plan and its implementation, as well as an opportunity for discussion.
All are welcome! Parents and guardians of K-12 students who are concerned that their children are not being adequately challenged are especially encouraged to attend.
Link to MMSD Talented and Gifted Division homepage (includes a link to the new TAG Plan):
http://tagweb.madison.k12.wi.us/
Link to parent-written and other supporting documents (see especially “Background and Rationale for the TAG Plan” and “Letter from Parents to the BOE in Support of the Plan”):
http://madisonunited.org/TAGplan.html

4 thoughts on “Community Forum to Introduce the New MMSD “Talented and Gifted” Education Plan”

  1. Will the new TAG Plan change this?
    TOP 5 ANSWERS PARENTS GET WHEN ADVOCATING FOR NEXT LEVEL OF CHALLENGE:
    #5 “Your child’s needs ARE being met in the classroom.” (This comment said as it gets most people to pipe down – even if it is far from true.)
    #4 “Your child isn’t all that!” (Other word choices used for this answer are common. This comment is said to eliminate continued advocacy from those parents who aren’t sure of them self or their child’s relative abilities.)
    #3 “What do you want, a whiz kid?” (aka “It’s not good to push your child.” This comment is said even though your requests are because of what your child wants.)
    #2 “Your child needs to advocate for himself.” (This comment is said even though your child is 8 years old.)
    #1 “The most important part of your child’s education is learning to work with all other kinds of people.” (This comment is said to make you feel like a racist bigot, even though your child is mixed race.)

  2. First there would need to be a belief that there is a problem beyond a lack of universal screening.
    #6 Your child already has peers in the classroom (is the presence of peers who are also unchallenged/uninstructed supposed to be a replacement for instruction?)

  3. Oh yes, you are right about #6.
    And I’d like to add
    #7 Your child is doing “just fine”.
    Just fine means your child is meeting District standards. As long as that is accomplished, nothing beyond it seems to be a concern.
    I hope the President’s statement on raising expectations above mediocrity was heard.
    The admin’s underestimation of how many people are concerned about TAG issues speaks volumes . About 175 people packed into that little middle school library! Those who believe TAG issues are a small problem needed to see that.
    The full TAG Plan will take time to implement, which is fine from an administrative point of view, but as parents, we know our kids’ educations are happening NOW. Those that make policy need to hear from all of our voices. Please drop them a quick note to thank them for the forum, but remind them that we continue to be concerned and encourage them to help all of our kids – now:
    Contact Information
    E-mail the Board of Education – your message will be forwarded directly to these elected officials
    board@madison.k12.wi.us
    and/or
    E-mail your message with comments, suggestions or questions to administrative staff and/or Board of Education members who can address or should be aware of your concerns:
    comments@madison.k12.wi.us
    Postal Address
    Madison Metropolitan School District
    545 W Dayton St
    Madison WI 53703-1967

  4. I am also Saddened by the System, and feel fortunate that we were able to make lifestyle changes necessary to move our children into private schooling. I have a 13 year old and have heard all comments #1-7 by the TAG staff, no less, over the 6 years my 13 year old attended MMSD. It’s an extremely sad state of affairs to see that, even with many efforts on parents part, the district still does not see the need to support students who are talented and gifted. After 6 years of participation in the conversation and watching from the outside for the past 3.5, it hasn’t changed…too bad for kids like my 13 year old who were unable to be adequately supported and challenged! Children can not WAIT!

Comments are closed.