Summer 2010 Gifted and Talented Program Update

It is unclear how budget cuts will specifically affect GT programming in the Des Moines Public Schools during the coming year. At this point, however, we know the cuts will be very deep. GT summer programming, which has always been an “enriching extra” the department has generously offered, costs many thousands of dollars beyond the summer school tuition paid by GT parents each year. In order to insure that state mandated gifted programming and direct services we provide during the school year may continue, the decision has been made to suspend GT Summer School and Adventure Camp for summer 2010. Many other district issues also impact our decision, and most of the district’s general education summer programming will also be cancelled for summer 2010. Financially speaking, these are very difficult educational times. I am hopeful, however, that we will be able to resume at least some of our GT enrichment programming in summer 2011. -Debra Mishak, Ph.D., Supervisor, Gifted and Talented Education, Des Moines Public Schools