ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED & TALENTED

Member 01 The National Association tor Gifted Children (NAGel The ASSOciation for Gdle

Vol. II No. I TAGTTempo March 1981

Contents: TAGT Hosts T AGT Legislative Reception/Dinner...... 1 State Legislators Editor's Page ...... 2 TAGT hosted a receptionj dinner on Thursday. TAGT Executive Board - 1981 ...... 2 February 12, 1981, for all its membership and "friends of President's Report ...... 3 the gifted" in Austin. Parents ...... '. 3 In addition to many of OUf state senators, representatives and their aides who attended, more than Regional Reports...... 4 50 percent of the members of the Texas State Board of Legislative Report ...... " 5 Education were present. The support from parents and G /T Calendar ...... 6-7 educators around the state was impressive. Under the able direction of Dr. Charles Patterson, State G/T News ...... 7 Asst. Superintendent for Instruction, Killeen ISO, TAGTI ...... 8 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 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 . 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 (L. to R.) Andra Williams, Carolyn Lewis, Pam Smith, Carolyn Lane, Jay 504 were written--to help endure the necessary resourses and protections Hilliard & ,'ennie Vahrenkamp, all REACH tt'achers from Richardson ISO, for the education of our nation's exceptional populations. These guar­ antees 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 At the January 17th meeting of the executive board. 1980 several important decisions were made that should GIFTED contribute to the ongoing thrust of appropriate education for gifted children in our state. Final plans for the from PARENTll'

March 1981 TAGTTempo 3 TAGT Legislative Report

House Public Education Committee How to Contact a Legislator (P. O. Box 2910, Austin 78769) Representative government functions best when there Hamp Atkinson, Texarkana, Chairman is open and meaningful communication betwcen elected Wm W. (Bill) Blanton, Farmers Branch, officials and thcir constituents on pressing legislative Vice-Chairman issues. Bill Haley, Center As a citizen and as a professional witha command of at Erwin W. Barton, Pasadena least onc field - the education of gifted children· you arc John W. Bryant, in a position to furnish related information to your Charles W. Evans, Hurst electcd representatives at all levels of government. Milton E. Fox, Principally. your contact may be through a tclephone Wayne Peveto, Orange calL letter. telegram, or personal visit. In any case, you Joe C. Hanna, Breckenridge should not misuse or abuse your access to him{her or his If Lanny Hall. Fort Worth staff. However important, only part of their jobs is f (1. to R.) Tom p....we; Or. okan AJg,n, Fd~ndowood; Ro-p. Randy PennlnKton: Ernestine Glossbrenner, Alice receiving and responding to hundreds. even thousands of Marjori~ BurrlnglOn: J ...... I..arrakH" Dr. NonnB Button. of t'lnk {'rHk communications daily However. if your contact with House ApproprlBtions Committee your representative is timely, responsible and respectful. (P. O. Box 2910, Austin 78769) the communication will be of mutual benefit. He needs you, and you need him. Bill Presnal, Bryan, Chairman Don Rains, San Marcos, Vice-Chairman Telephone. Most elected officials maintain local offices in Fred Agnich, Dallas thelrllometowns wilh which they have constant contact. Frank Collazo. Jr .• Port Arthur Be prepared prior to making your call. State thc reason So Crawford, Beaumont for the call. A clear' statement from you of your reasons Matt Garcia. San Antonio for or against legislation will be documented and reported Jay Gibson, Odessa to the legislator. Walter B. Grubbs, Abilene If you are calling the legal legislator in his Austin office. Bill Haley, Center you may lcave your number and name and indicate the Frank Hartung, Houston general time you will be at the number so thcy may return W S. (Bill) Heatly. Paducah your call. Bill Hollowell, Grand Saline Your telephone conversation with the legislator or a Dan Kubiak, Rockdale member of his staff should follow thc usual rt11es of 11. to R.I Dr. AI"'n O. bo",.n. t"ommi ..lon .... ofEducatlon. A""tln. l,vnclla R<-

M,lrch 19XI TAGTTempo 1981 1981 Calendar of G/T Activities TAGT Fall Conference

March 7 Region 10 ESC Workshop, "Straight T AGT members, wishing to make suggestions for from the Horse's Mouth .. session topics for the 1981 TAGT Fall Conference are University of Texas at Dallas. urged to call or write Dr. Charles Patterson: Contact Micky Mayer, P. O. Box 967 G/T Coordinator. Box Region 10, Killeen. TX 76541 Box 130, Richardson, TX 75081. (817) 526-8361 (214)231-{i301. Fee: 52.00 Topics relating to PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT or March 19-21 National Creativity Conference. COUNSELING & GUIDANCE FOR THE GIFTED are N/SLTI & Office of the Ventura especially requested. (County) California

March 21 "Curriculum for the Gifted­ Talented Student" a seminar G/T State News presented by Sally J Patton. "How One view of To" centers focusing on Bloom's Taxonomy; how to record and "Get Together II" evaluate the progress of each This drawing was done by Bette E Solovey. student. P. O. Box I 1786. Gifted/Talented Teacher, Robstown ISO. as she listened Sausalito. CA 94966. to speakers at the two-day TEA "Get Together II" in April 4 T AOT Executive Board Meeting, Austin. Austin, TX. Dr. Donald Treffinger, Professor of Creative Studies. State University College, Buffalo. NY. and editor of April 12-16 National Conference, CEq Gifted Child Quarterly, was the keynote speaker. Points TAG, New York City. made by Dr. Treffinger interwoven into this drawing include: Children tied up in paper work; the complex April 10-11 TAG Festival. Adult & children's mind of the gifted; finding and identifying the gifted; the programs co-sponsored by area need for individual planning; no heavier burden than a organizations and Richland great potential. College. Barbara Clark. keynote The Luncheon speaker was Rep. Charles Evans (note speaker. clock and name. ) As a "catalyst" teacher, Mrs. Solovey pointed out, "Dr. April 30 For PARENtS & EDUCATORS Treffinger's nine points were very exciting. Also. the "Educating Gifted, Creative & thought of being a 'consultant in residence' to classroom Talented: Future Direction" teachers would be beneficial to both." 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. Pre­ registration. $10.00. includes lunch & banquet. Some dorm spaceavailable. Contact: Joyce Miller, Dept. of Secondary & Higher Education. T E T S U, Commerce 75428 (214) 886- 5600. April 12-17 CEC/TAG National 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 TAGTTempo 7