The IAGC Policy and Advocacy Committee invites you to join our efforts in advocating for the academic needs of advanced learners and to promote and communicate policies that contribute to those needs.

Please look through the links below, join our next Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting, or volunteer to share our current advocacy efforts.

Contact our Policy & Advocacy Co-Chairs for More Information:

Julie Luck Jensen and Pamela Shaw and Deanna Markos

Current issues in gifted education

Current Legislation Impacting Children with Gifts and Talents

Upcoming events

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LATE SUMMER 2026 IAGC Gifted Education Foundations

Start
07/27/2026

End
07/31/2026

Schedule
3 sessions

Location
online

Spaces left
15

Register

LATE SUMMER 2026

Modules in Gifted Education:

Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners

in Today's Classrooms

IAGC Professional Development (virtual)

$375/Members, $425/Non-Members

Group Discount for THREE or more

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

July 27, 29, 31

9:00 am - 11:00am (lunch break) 1:00pm - 3:00pm

(3 days)

(dates and times subject to change)

PD Project Due: August 7, 2026

Designed for classroom teachers and enrichment teachers who serve advanced learners in grades K-8, each module provides practical knowledge and evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of students who achieve and/or have the potential to achieve at high levels. Attendees will gain an understanding of current, equitable and inclusive approaches in the field of gifted education and explore programming/instructional models, classroom structures, and collaborations to support advanced learners. Projects and readings are designed with an eye to applicability/relevance to classroom practice. Classroom teachers, new enrichment/advanced programming teachers, and educators seeking to update their foundational skills and knowledge for developing talents of advanced learners are encouraged to participate.

Each of three virtual modules includes 4 hours of synchronous and 6 hours of independent learning. A Certificate of Course Completion from IAGC and 30 PD hours will be provided upon completion of all three modules. Instead of Professional Development hours, participants can opt to earn two semester hours from Lindenwood University upon completing module requirements.

Note: Assignments will be provided and submitted on the Google Classroom platform. All participants are required to have a Google Account and email to participate in this course.

Course Overview:

Module 1: Understanding Advanced Learners (4 hours in-class time + 6 hours independent learning)

Part 1 - Conceptions of Giftedness (2 hour class + readings and assignments)

Part 2 - Recognizing and Developing Gifts and Talents (2 hour class + readings and assignments)

Module 2: Programming, Collaborations and Classroom Structures to Support Growth of Advanced Learners (4 hours in-class time + 6 hours independent learning)

Part 1 -  Supporting Growth of Advanced Learners Through the MTSS Framework, Assessment, and Professional Learning Communities (2-hour virtual class + readings and assignments)

Part 2 -  Classroom, Community, and Family Collaborations to Support Advanced Learners (2-hour virtual class + readings and assignments)

Module 3: Differentiation and Instructional Strategies for Advanced Learners (4 hours in-class time + 6 hours independent learning)

Part 1 -  Key Components of Differentiated Instruction for Advanced Learners (2-hour virtual class + readings and assignments)

Part 2 - Student-Centered Differentiation for Advanced Learners (2-hour virtual class + readings and assignments)

Required Text: Heacox, D. and Cash, R., Differentiation for Gifted Learners: Going Beyond the Basics (revised and updated edition). Free Spirit Publishing, 2020 (ISBN: 978-1-63198-432-7)
*Participants are responsible for obtaining the text as it is not included in the module registration fee.

Book is available from Amazon and other book sellers.

All classroom sessions must be attended and readings/assignments completed for module credit. 30 hours of professional development credit is available after satisfactorily completing all of the requirements/assignments.

Note:

Course will run subject to sufficient enrollment.

No refunds unless course is cancelled by the IAGC.

Contact IAGC for large group (10+) discount.

Payment due by first day of class unless otherwise arranged for group registration.

Contact office@iagcgifted.org to request special arrangements.

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2026 ANNUAL IAGC CONFERENCE

Start
10/20/2026
8:00 AM
End
10/21/2026
3:45 PM
Location
NIU Naperville

2026 IAGC Conference

The 31st Annual IAGC Conference is excited to offer several options for our many attendees, members, and supporters from across the state of Illinois.

WHEN: Tuesday October 20 and Wednesday October 21, 2026

TIME: 8:00 am - 3:45 pm

WHERE: NIU Naperville Conference Center, 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville IL 60563

WHO: Tuesday Keynote Presenter: Dr. Jonathan Plucker

Wednesday Keynote Presenter: Dr. Claire Hughes

5 hrs PD credit per day

2026 Highlights

Box Lunch INCLUDED with in-person registration each day
Note: PRESENTER discounts are available for up to TWO Co-Presenters (additional presenters are asked to register with a General Registration ticket)

TICKET	Early Bird Pricing	After Sep 30
1 Day Member*	$325	$375
2 Day Member	$525	$575
1 Day Non-Member	$400	$450
2 Day Non-Member	$600	$650
Parent Members	$125	---
Parent Non-Member	$155	---

CONFERENCE DETAILS and UPDATES

Membership Registrations may not be combined with Conference Registrations.

* BECOME A MEMBER HERE first, then register once your membership is activated.

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2026 Sponsor/ Exhibitor Registration

Start
10/20/2026

8:00 AM

End
10/21/2026

4:00 PM

Location
NIU Conference Center 1120 E Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563

Spaces left
27

Register

2026 CONFERENCE

SPONSOR/ EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Join the IAGC as a Sponsor and/or Exhibitor for the 31st Annual IAGC Conference.

This year the IAGC Conference will once again be held at the NIU Naperville Center at 1120 E Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563.

Tuesday October 20 & Wednesday October 21 8:00am - 4:00pm

Deadline for SPONSOR Registration is AUGUST 25, 2026

Deadline for EXHIBITOR Registration is SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

View ALL Sponsor / Exhibitor Packages, Rates, and Benefits

Exhibitor Webpage

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Accelerated Placement Act Options

Accelerated Placement Act Guidance (pdf)

Gifted Advisory Council

ISBE Advanced Learner Program Opportunities

2025 BILLS DIRECTLY IMPACTING ADVANCED LEARNERS

IAGC's BILL SB1983 SCH CD-GIFTED & TALENTED

PASSED SENATE & HOUSE

Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

Amends the School Code. Removes language providing that a local program for the education of gifted and talented children may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education if funds for that purpose are available and if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan. Removes language providing that the State Board of Education staff person in charge of educational programs for gifted and talented children shall be responsible for developing an approval process for educational programs for gifted and talented children.

2026- BILLS TO WATCH

SB 3533 - SCHCD-TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDNT (IAGC Bill)

Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning twice-exceptional children, changes references from "children" to "students" and defines "twice-exceptional student". Provides that in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) or federal Section 504 plan for a twice-exceptional student, if the student's ability or achievement indicates that the student would benefit from advanced academic programs, then those abilities or achievement levels shall be recognized and addressed in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan and be reflected in the individualized services, goals, accommodations, and objectives for the student, while continuing to provide appropriate services and support for the student's disabilities in all educational settings. Sets forth what the services, goals, objectives, accommodations, and best practices for identifying and addressing the educational and related needs of a twice-exceptional student may include. Effective immediately.

Sen. Adriane Johnson

Last Action: 2/5/2026 Referred to Assignments

HB 4582 SCHCD-TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDNT (IAGC Bill)

Rep. Michelle Mussman
Last Action: 2/3/2026 Referred to Rules Committee

HJR 29 ISBE-GIFTED LEARNERS (IAGC House Joint Resolution)

Directs the Professional Review Panel and the Illinois State Board of Education to conduct the analysis and financial modeling required to evaluate the implications of including other categories of advanced learners in addition to gifted as adequacy factors beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Rep. Daniel Didech - William "Will" Davis
(Sen. Adriane Johnson)
Last Action: Senate: Referred to Assignments 5/27/2025

HB 4239 SCH CD-HIGH SCH COURSE CREDIT (Non- IAGC, but Advanced Learning related)

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school may enroll in a required high school course, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course (instead of just as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course).

Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
Last Action: 1/14/2026 - House: Referred to Rules Committee

PAST POLICY & ADVOCACY EFFORTS

2024 IAGC Policy & Advocacy

SB3164 SCH CD-ASSESSMENT RESTRICTION

Sponsored by Rep. Carol Ammons

PASSED by the House and the Senate

SIGNED into law by Gov. Pritzker

Amends the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district's accelerated placement policy may allow for the waiver of a course or unit of instruction completion requirement if (i) completion of the course or unit of instruction is required by the Code or rules adopted by the State Board of Education as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma and (ii) the school district has determined that the student has demonstrated mastery of or competency in the content of the course or unit of instruction. Provides that the school district shall maintain documentation of this determination of mastery or competency for each student, which must include identification of the learning standards or competencies reviewed, the methods of measurement used, student performance, the date of the determination, and identification of the district personnel involved in the determination process. Provides that a school district must provide notification to a student's parent or guardian that the student will receive a waiver. Makes a corresponding change in the Courses of Study Article of the Code. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as introduced with the following changes. In provisions concerning accelerated placement, provides that a school district's accelerated placement policy shall cover a student who exceeds State standards in specified coursework (instead of meets or exceeds State standards in specified coursework). Provides that by no later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year, a school district's accelerated placement policy shall provide the option, in the following school term, for a student to enroll in the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework offered by the high school if the student meets State standards in English language arts, mathematics, or science on a State assessment administered following specified requirements for specified coursework. Effective immediately.

2023 IAGC Policy & Advocacy

Senate Bill SB2337

103rd General Assembly

PASSED by the Senate and the House

Signed into Law by the Governor!

Amends the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the School Code.

THANK YOU to the Sponsors of SB2337:

State Senators: Mary Edly-Allen - Rachel Ventura, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Meg Loughran Cappel and Javier L. Cervantes.
State Representative: Nabeela Syed