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    Illinois Association for Gifted Children

Policy and Advocacy

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



 LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS

2024 BILLS DIRECTLY IMPACTING ADVANCED LEARNERS

IAGC's BILL   SB3164 SCH CD-ASSESSMENT RESTRICTION

PASSED & SIGNED by Gov. Pritzker

Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning restrictions on prekindergarten through grade 2 assessments, provides that the term "diagnostic and screening purposes" includes to determine eligibility for advanced academic programs, as defined in the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the Code. Effective immediately.


ISBE’s House bill  HB5250 SCH CD-ACCELERATED PLACEMENT

PASSED & SIGNED by Gov Pritzker

Rep. Carol Ammons

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.



BILLS TO WATCH 

Check here for bills that need your support or opposition!



PAST  POLICY & ADVOCACY EFFORTS

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


THANK YOU to the 2023 IAGC Policy and Advocacy Team

  

Senator Mary Edly Allen and Policy & Advocacy Co-Chair Pam Shaw

Representative Syed, P&A Co-Chair Pam Shaw, Advisor Phil Milsk


Learn how a Bill becomes a Law HERE

Find your State Legislator HERE


Upcoming events

    • 03/31/2025
    • 11/30/2025
    • IAGC website
    Registration is closed


    2025

    PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP/ SPONSOR sign up

    Special  Support Opportunities for Organizations and Professionals who provide services to families and educators of gifted and advanced students. 

    Registration Period:  Dec 1, 2024 -- Feb 1, 2025

    Late Registration:  Feb 2, 2025 -- June 1, 2025   Full benefits may be limited

    OPTION 1Professional Member
    • Name and contact information listed in the Professional Directory available to IAGC members.
    • Select preferred Professional Category out of 6 choices
    • May Add-On 1 month "spotlight" available to all website visitors
    • Option to contribute one 5-minute prerecorded mini-lesson to the IAGC  video library  (with approval of IAGC)


    OPTION 2:  Professional Sponsor   

    • Logo and Link displayed on IAGC Home Page, IAGC Parent Page, IAGC Educator Page
    • Brief description, Name, Logo and/or Link on Professional Services Page as a permanent "spotlight".
    • Listing in Professional Directory, up to 3 Professional Categories.
    • Option to contribute three 5-minute prerecorded mini lessons OR one 15 minute mini-lesson to IAGC video library.
    • Included in the IAGC Quarterly newsletter.
    • Included in occasional member or contact email or social media communications.

      VIEW PROFESSIONAL SPONSOR PAGE

      VIEW DESCRIPTION and DETAILS of Options

      DOWNLOAD a FLIER


      • 05/02/2025
      • 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
      • VIRTUAL
      Register



      2025 IAGC Virtual Leadership Summit

      Friday May 2, 2025

      8:30 am - 2:30 pm

      (1 hour lunch break) 

      Registration CLOSES April 24.




      KEYNOTE PRESENTER

      BRANDON WRIGHT, Editorial Director of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute



      For Administrators, Program Coordinators, School Improvement Teams, Regional Officers, District Leaders, and more.

      Member Ticket:                   $110

      Non-Member Ticket:          $130

      4-Ticket Bundle:                   $440


      Learn More Here

      5 hours PD CREDIT:  You will also be asked to Sign In / Sign Out on the day of the Summit.




      REFUND POLICY

      All events are nonrefundable unless otherwise noted in the event registration. 

      Registrations may be paid via check or credit card. 

      Purchase Orders are not accepted for invoices under $1000, unless otherwise noted or arranged. 

      Event registrations must be paid before the event date/time, unless otherwise noted.

      Paid membership dues are also nonrefundable. 



      • 06/16/2025
      • 9:30 AM
      • 07/02/2025
      • 11:30 AM
      • online
      • 24
      Register


      Modules in Gifted Education:

      Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners

      in Today's Classrooms

      SUMMER 2025

      IAGC Professional Development (virtual)

      $375/Members, $425/Non-Members, $999/ Group of THREE

      Tuesday/ Wednesday 9:30am - 11:30am

      June 17 - July 2, 2025

      (dates and times subject to change)

      June 17, June 18, June 24, June 25, July 1, July 2

      PD Project Due:  July 11

      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 number of registrations.

        No refunds unless course is cancelled by the IAGC.

        Contact director@iagcgifted.org 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.


        • 07/28/2025
        • 9:30 AM
        • 08/01/2025
        • 3:00 PM
        • online
        • 29
        Register


        Modules in Gifted Education:

        Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners

        in Today's Classrooms

        LATE  SUMMER 2025

        IAGC Professional Development (virtual)

        $375/Members, $425/Non-Members, $999/ Group of THREE

        (tentatively) Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday 

        9:30am 11:30am  and 1:00pm - 3:00pm

        includes 90 minute lunch break

        July 28 - August 1,  2025 

        (dates and times subject to change)

        PD Project Due:  August 9

        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 number of registrations.

          No refunds unless course is cancelled by the IAGC.

          Contact director@iagcgifted.org 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.


          • 09/18/2025
          • 12:00 PM
          • 05/14/2026
          • 12:45 PM
          • Virtual
          • 50
          Register

          C3: Coordinators Connect and Collaborate

          Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year

          If you are a Gifted Coordinator or work in a gifted program leadership role, please join the IAGC for our 4-sessionBi-Monthly Virtual Support Meetings in which we provide resources, discussions, and strategies to help teachers work with advanced learners in their classroom.

          Topic  TBD

          Topic will be covered over the course of 4 bi-monthly sessions, beginning in late September or early October 2025. 

          Coordinators of advanced academic programming are invited to join this year's C3 conversations as we address a new topic from NAGC's leap guidebook.  The NAGC Programming Standards will be used as a framework to review the implementation of evidence-based practices. Guidelines and additional resources shared may also help to support the task for those interested in conducting the Acceleration Process in their district. 

          Bring your questions, ideas, and solutions to share with other Gifted Coordinators across the state.

          Dates   TBD

           Thursday 10/2025

          12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

           






          Registration Fees

          Free to members

          $50 for non-members (includes all 4 sessions)

          $25 for one additional guest (non-member)


          * requires a minimum  of 10 registrations

          * no refunds (refund policy)

          • 10/27/2025
          • 8:00 AM
          • 10/28/2025
          • 4:00 PM
          • NIU Conference Center 1120 E Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563
          • 23
          Register


          2025 CONFERENCE

          SPONSOR/ EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION

          Join the IAGC as a Sponsor and/or Exhibitor for the 30th 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. 

          Monday October 27 & Tuesday October 28  8:00am - 4:00pm

          • 30-minute Exhibitor Breaks each day
          • ALL Exhibitors will be positioned within high-traffic, attendee transition areas
          • ALL Exhibitors will have access to an online "booth" via SCHED and will be listed in the VIRTUAL RESOURCE SHOWCASE (Upgrade available to Exhibitors)
          • Exhibitor scavenger hunt and raffle prizes for attendees to increase engagement
          • SPONSOR Bonuses:  mini-breakout option (with approval); VIP invite to Social Hour;  SCHED video promo; Keynote Introduction; Free lunch; and more!!
            Please read ALL TICKET DESCRIPTIONS on the registration page before selecting ONE. 

            Once you have selected your ticket type you will be able to add-on additional options.  

            Deadline for SPONSOR Registration is AUGUST 25, 2025

            Deadline for EXHIBITOR Registration is SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

            View ALL Sponsor / Exhibitor Packages, Rates, and Benefits

            Exhibitor Webpage


          Accelerated Placement Act Options

          ISBE  Advanced Learner Program Opportunities




          Contact Us:

          Illinois Association for Gifted Children

          1500 Sullivan Road
          Aurora, IL 60506

          Ph: 630-907-5047
          Fax: 630-907-5976

          SEND US A MESSAGE


          The Illinois Association for Gifted Children is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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