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City Schools Develops Gifted Students

Jun 05, 2015 at 03:40 pm by Bryan Barrett


Thirty-two teachers from Murfreesboro City Schools will meet the employment standard for serving gifted students in Tennessee next week after completing the MTSU/MCS Gifted Academy. The Gifted Academy, sponsored by The Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation, aims to expand Murfreesboro City Schools Gifted Education program by equipping teachers with tools to identify and engage gifted students.

"We expect the identification of the gifted learner to continue to increase at MCS as a result of the academy. As a district, we are working to train at least one teacher at every grade level, at each school. We want to meet the needs of all students, at their level of learning," stated Lea Bartch, Coordinator of Gifted Services for Murfreesboro City Schools and instructor for the Gifted Academy.

The average number of gifted students in a school district nationwide is 3-5%. At its current enrollment, MCS could serve around 300 gifted students.

"We want to continue to provide stimulating learning environments for our gifted students allowing them to be challenged and to succeed. We are here to serve all students and expanding our gifted program will help us with that goal," Bartch continued.

In order for participants to receive credit from the state, the collaborating institutions had to seek state approval for the program. The program's curriculum of 80.5 contact hours surpassed state requirements and once completed, the Gifted Academy provides enough training to meet the TN Gifted Employment Standard.

"During this training, teachers are presented with many tools in helping to plan higher level thinking activities and detailed tasks for gifted learners. We are making sure these students can be challenged and continue to grow as learners," stated program participant and first grade teacher Mallory Rundell.

MCS currently has over 50 teachers that have received additional training related to gifted education prior to MTSU/MCS Gifted Academy. For additional information regarding Gifted Services at Murfreesboro City Schools, please call 615-893-2313.

Murfreesboro City Schools is a district of twelve schools committed to the academic and personal success of each child.

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