POLICY & Advocacy Committee

The overarching goal of the Policy & Advocacy Committee is to educate decision makers and stakeholders about the importance of implementing policies and best practices that provide appropriate educational opportunities for all gifted children in Illinois and to advocate for a better gifted education policy framework in Illinois. 

Vision for 2018

Through the implementation of ESSA accountability requirements and the Accelerated Placement Act, Illinois school districts will focus on the growth of high-ability students and provide equitable access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities including acceleration. The State Board will collect and report relevant information to the public through the Illinois Report Card.

Policy & Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs:

Eric Calvert (Eric.Calvert@northwestern.edu)

Carolyn Welch (CarolynEWelch@comcast.net)

Please join our efforts to advocate for polices and practices that support gifted and high-ability students! Recent state legislative efforts include supporting the needs of underserved gifted children, requiring acceleration policies in all districts, instituting accountability for the growth of gifted children, and increasing the data collected and reported to the public. Work has been done to leverage federal legislation of ESSA to maximize resources for gifted and talented children. We can do so much more with your help!