PRINTER'S NO. 2195
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
475
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SMUCKER, FONTANA, TEPLITZ, DINNIMAN, BROWNE,
BOSCOLA, BREWSTER, FARNESE, GREENLEAF, WHITE, RAFFERTY,
COSTA, KILLION, RESCHENTHALER AND AUMENT, OCTOBER 24, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 24, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating November 18, 2016, as "Gifted Education Day" in
Pennsylvania and expressing appreciation to educators of the
gifted throughout this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education,
(PAGE) originated at a conference on gifted children and youth
held in State College, Pennsylvania, in May 1951; and
WHEREAS, The conference was organized by Margaret A. Neuber,
Chairperson of the Special Education Department at The
Pennsylvania State University, and Dr. Hedwig O. Pregler,
Principal of Colfax School in Pittsburgh, who were pioneers in
the field of gifted education; and
WHEREAS, The conference led to the establishment of the
Pennsylvania Association for the Study and Education of the
Mentally Gifted in May 1952; and
WHEREAS, On September 24, 1977, the name of the organization
was changed to the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted
Education; and
WHEREAS, The mission of PAGE is to empower educators and
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parents to meet the diverse needs of gifted learners through
awareness, advocacy and action; and
WHEREAS, PAGE is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated
to helping gifted learners, parents and educators; and
WHEREAS, PAGE has endeavored to contribute to the educational
needs of gifted children in a number of ways; and
WHEREAS, PAGE holds conferences on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, PAGE has sought to influence the Department of
Education and the General Assembly regarding regulations and
legislation on behalf of education for gifted students; and
WHEREAS, PAGE members have sought to encourage local boards
of education and administrators to develop and expand programs
for gifted education; and
WHEREAS, PAGE has been a longtime affiliate of the National
Association for Gifted Children; and
WHEREAS, PAGE celebrated its 50th anniversary at the April
2001 PAGE conference in Harrisburg by inviting many former PAGE
presidents and leaders in gifted education, focusing on building
for the future and honoring the work of the past; and
WHEREAS, Since approximately 1998, PAGE has continually
advocated with determination and persuasiveness for the
Department of Education to institute and enforce school district
compliance with 22 Pa. Code Ch. 16 regulations relating to
special education for gifted students; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, PAGE board members assisted the Department
of Education in the development and completion of the Department
of Education's Gifted Education Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, These guidelines have played an important role in
the development and implementation of school district programs
for gifted students across this Commonwealth and are used by
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other state education agencies as a model for gifted program
policy and practice; and
WHEREAS, PAGE holds a yearly conference, the location of
which alternates among three areas of the State; and
WHEREAS, The annual conferences have become the leading
educational and networking events for gifted education for
parents and teachers in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The conferences feature nationally recognized
experts in the field of gifted education and knowledgeable State
presenters, who disseminate information to school district
personnel, parents and teachers for the betterment of gifted
students in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, PAGE conferences are well respected and renowned
across the nation; and
WHEREAS, PAGE holds an annual training weekend for local
affiliate group leaders from across this Commonwealth to educate
them about relevant gifted issues and to provide leadership
training; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate November 18, 2016, as
"Gifted Education Day" in Pennsylvania and express appreciation
to educators of the gifted throughout this Commonwealth.
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