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Moline parents speak out about possible changes to gifted program

A program for some gifted Quad City students, in place for nearly three decades, could be changing and some parents say they don’t like that possibility f...

A program for some gifted Quad City students, in place for nearly three decades, could be changing and some parents say they don't like that possibility for future students.

Juli Bear credits her two daughters' academic success to the Moline-Coal Valley school district's Program for Academically Talented students, or PATS.

"They were bored, they were frustrated. Each child should have the opportunity to learn something new all the time," said Bear.

The program allowed her kids to be in a class with peers who are at the same learning level, with a curriculum that Bear says challenged her kids.

"It's a way to tailor a curriculum more towards a student's needs, that you can't do with a standard curriculum," said Bear.

However, she says a new proposal could change that.

On Monday, February 9, 2015, the Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability presented the school board with a plan to reorganize the PATS program. Under the new proposal, students would stay at their home schools, and be divided into groups by achievement level.  Because of enrollment numbers, however, students could spend some time in a more standard class.

Members of the community spoke out against the change, saying they're worried the new program would hold back the higher-achieving students.

"You're still going to be offering more attention to the children who need the help more, and that's appropriate, but it does leave opportunity for a lot to get missed and no challenge to be given to the higher ability students," said Bear.

If the proposal were to pass, students currently enrolled in PATS would be able to finish their time in the program. In a written statement, district officials said lacking financial support from the state, an declining enrollment, are among reasons they are considering the change.  Only 17 of 45 students who were offered a spot in PATS accepted placement in the past year.

District officials also said proposed model is consistent with the current practices nationally.

The school board is expected to vote on the proposal at their next meeting on February 23, 2015.

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