Family and Community

Welcome!!! We invite all families and community supporters of gifted students to join us in sharing resources, events, information and successes. Your support of this organization also helps to realize the dream of challenging every child so that no child is left behind.

In the following video, Sara Watson details the role of the family and community division in supporting gifted education across Ohio.

The Family and Community Division Council meets regularly to work on issues of concern to parents at the local and state level. All parents are welcome. In addition to this page, you may also wish to browse through the resources, advocacy, and affiliates areas of the website. 

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

The family and community division offers many opportunities for gifted supporters to meet and discuss common issues. Each October, OAGC holds a conference during which there is a family and community day offering sessions, roundtable discussions, information tables and more. There are many established local parent groups which are affiliates of OAGC. 

OAGC offers two handbooks (teacher and family and community) as reference guides for you. These are a good place to start. There, are seven possible areas of identification. It is helpful to look at the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Law and Rule on gifted education, you can get a better understanding of what Ohio says about gifted identification and services and which services are available to your child.

Each October, OAGC holds a conference during which there is a parent day offering sessions specifically geared toward families of gifted children. This is a great place to learn about what you can do. Your district may have a parent group which is an affiliate of OAGC. Talk to your school’s gifted coordinator or your OAGC regional contact. The parent division’s affiliate handbook offers information concerning how local parent groups can become affiliates.

On the state level, begin by looking at the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Law and Rule on gifted education. You can get a better understanding of what Ohio says about gifted identification and services and which services are available to your child. This will help you see what you can do to advocate for your child both locally and in the state.

On a national level, we suggest you investigate the NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children). They are a wonderful resource.

Each October, OAGC holds a conference during which there is a family and community day offering sessions specifically for families and community supporters of gifted children. There are many established local parent groups which are affiliates of OAGC. The OAGC’s affiliate handbook offers information concerning how local family and community groups can become affiliates. 

On a national level, we suggest you investigate the NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children). They are a wonderful resource.

Begin with your own district. Investigate their policies regarding identification of gifted children and the services which are available. Then look at the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Law and Rule on gifted education where you can get a better understanding of what Ohio says about gifted identification and services. In addition to the laws and rules explicitly set for gifted students, there are additional Ohio education policies that can greatly benefit gifted children. Here are links to these policy areas:

Begin with the family and community division’s handbook. This will provide you with an introduction on gifted children. We also have a list of suggested readings which addresses gifted children, social and emotional issues, and the twice exceptional. You may also wish to look at the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted) website.

There are many opportunities for enrichment for the gifted student. There are also scholarship opportunities so that your child can take advantage of the outside programs. OAGC offers a list of opportunities during the summer.

During the school year, opportunities are available through the Midwest Talent Search and other online programs. In grades 7-12, your student can take college courses, for free in most cases, through College Credit Plus, if appropriate paperwork is filed by April 1 of the previous school year. OAGC notifies members throughout the year as opportunities become available.

Each October, OAGC holds a conference during which there is a parent day offering sessions, roundtable discussions, information tables and more. This is a great place to learn about what is happening in Ohio. Look to your OAGC regional contact for updates throughout the year. OAGC is active on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioAGC and Twitter at www.twitter.com/oagcgifted. You can also join the parent division of OAGC. Your local parent group is another great resource.

Family and Community Division Videos

Family and CommunityDivision – Young Gifted Learners

Join OAGC Family and Community Division Chair, Sara Watson, and OAGC Board Members, Beth Wilson-Fish as they discuss ways to support young gifted learners.

Family and CommunityDivision – So You’re Kids is Gifted, Now What

Join OAGC Family and Community Division Chair, Sara Watson, and Todd Stanley as they discuss what happens after your child is identified. OAGC Board Members, Beth Wilson-Fish as they discuss ways to support young gifted learners.

Contact

If you have any questions about the OAGC parent division, please contact:

Sara Watson

Family. and Community Division Chair
[email protected]