The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has the responsibility to ensure that all local educational agencies (LEAs) providing services, whether directly or by contractual arrangements, administer gifted education services and programs that are in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. In order to fulfill this responsibility, PDE has established administrative procedures for monitoring program implementation, including evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness, and accountability of gifted education services and programs.

PDE has developed the schedule for compliance monitoring for the 2019-2020 school year, in which 10 school districts of varying sizes across the commonwealth will be monitored. Additional monitoring, if deemed appropriate, may be designated as the school year progresses.

The Gifted Cyclical Monitoring for Continuous Improvement includes a Gifted Facilitated Self-Assessment (GFSA) completed by the LEA and an on-site visit by a PDE review team including peer monitors. The process includes a review of the GFSA submitted by the LEA; input from administrators, teachers, and parents; and verification activities of the information reported in the GFSA. Verification activities include file reviews of student documents, studies of service delivery and analysis of policies, procedures and outcomes.

Monitoring trainings for gifted are available to districts who will be monitored. To schedule a training for your district, contact Shirley Moyer at 717.705.5186 or shirmoyer@pa.gov. Training formats include phone conversations, email communication or face-to-face meetings. Each training will review the monitoring process, documents, and GFSA submission, and provide suggestions and checklists regarding preparation and implementation of the monitoring process. To schedule a training for your district, contact Shirley Moyer at 717.705.5186 or shirmoyer@pa.gov.

Please review the attached 2019-2020 monitoring schedule before requesting trainings. The Gifted Monitoring Manual is located on the PA Gifted web page: https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Gifted%20Education/Pages/default.aspx. Districts who will be monitored are strongly encouraged to review this document to prepare for the monitoring.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in complying with this state mandated requirement. PDE recognizes the time and effort required on behalf of LEAs to successfully participate in these monitorings. Should you have any questions regarding the 2019-2020 monitoring schedule listed below, please contact Shirley Moyer, Special Education Adviser-Gifted at, 717.705.5186 or shirmoyer@pa.gov.

GIFTED EDUCATION COMPLIANCE MONITORING SCHEDULE

School Districts and Charter Schools to be monitored in 2019-2020