GT Pool Increased
<bt>Changes in the identification process for the Fairfax County Pubic Schools gifted and talented centers resulted in a larger number of students being included in the spring pool than ever before.
In 2001, 2,118 students were screened while 3,588 were screened this year of which 53 percent, or 1,913 students, were found eligible for the centers. The number of minority students identified increased from 545 in 2001 to 684 this spring. The number of whites increased from 949 to 1,229.
The changes made to the process this year included administering the Cognitive Ability Test (COGAT) in the second grade instead of the first grade; replacing the Otis Lennon Ability Test with the Niglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test in the second grade; and including private school students in the spring screening instead of waiting until the summer.
<sh>Fairfax Rejoining State Board?
<bt>The Fairfax County School Board is expected to decide whether to rejoin the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) at its regular meeting, Thursday, June 20.
The board withdrew from the association, along with the school board from Virginia Beach, because of financial and philosophical questions.
School Board chairman Stuart Gibson has been in contact with the state association's incoming board of directors and said some of the local board's concern of been addressed. In addition, the VSBA has asked Fairfax to appoint someone to the association's legislative board. Gibson said if the board votes to rejoin, he intends to appoint School Board member Catherine Belter (Springfield). VSBA membership is $10,300 per year and is required for membership in the national board.
"I'm glad we may be rejoining, but I still have a lot of problems with the way the organization runs," said School Board Kaye Kory (Mason). "I hope we continue to be a loud voice from within."
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<bt>Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m.
School Health Advisory Committee meeting. Devonshire Center, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church.
Thursday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board regular meeting. Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road. Falls Church.
Saturday, June 22
Falls Church High School, Class of 1982, 20-year reunion. For more information, call First-Class Reunions at 888-327-1984 or on the Web at www.fcreunions.com. Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church.
Monday, June 24
Nurturing Parenting Program. Department of Family Services, Prevention, of Fairfax County is holding a Nurturing Parenting Program for Hispanic Families, for parents and their children up to 4-years-old, to teach nurturing skills and to reinforce strengths, values and culture. No cost, but registration is required. For more information, call 703-324-7405 or 703-324-7723. St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
Thursday, June 27, 8 a.m.
Fairfax County School Board work session, student services; human resources; instruction. Lanier Middle School, 3710 Bevan Drive, Fairfax.
Thursday, June 27, 8:30 a.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, June 27, 1 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board work session, facilities; finance & budget. Lanier Middle School, 3710 Bevan Drive, Fairfax.
Saturday, June 29, 9 a.m.
Annual School Board Conference. Challenger Learning Center of Northern Virginia.
Saturday, June 29
Lake Braddock Secondary School, Class of 1982, 20-year reunion. For more information, call First-Class Reunions at 888-327-1984 or on the Web at www.fcreunions.com. Sheraton Premiere, Tysons Corner.