Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE)

The mission of the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) is to advocate for mentally gifted children by working with parents, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and the community to meet the diverse needs of gifted learners.

Affiliate Weekend every fall for affiliate leaders; conference every spring; regional meetings on occasion

The Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education had its origins in the Pennsylvania Association for the Study and Education of the Mentally Gifted (PASEMG) which emerged from a Conference on Gifted Children and Youth held May, 1951 at Pennsylvania State College. This conference had been organized by Margaret A. Neuber, Chairperson of the Special Education Department at Penn State; and, Dr. Hedwig O. Pregler, Principal of Colfax School in Pittsburgh, early pioneers in gifted education. In November, 1951, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Pregler was elected President. At a meeting in Pittsburgh on May 16-17, 1952, a constitution was adopted which established the name of the organization as "The Pennsylvania Association for the Study and Education of the Mentally Gifted." This name remained until the Association approved the change to " Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education ," on September 24, 1977.

A Board of Directors meets to conduct the business of the Association. The Board is composed of the elected officers -- president, president-elect, second vice president, secretary-parliamentarian, and treasurer (the Executive Committee); immediate past president, affiliate regional directors, various appointed positions, several members-at-large, and an Ex-Officio member from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In recent years, because of PAGE 's great growth an executive secretary has been appointed to assist with much of the day-to-day work.

PAGE published its first Newsletter in March, 1958. This was succeeded by the PAGE Report which was published from 1974-1981. Presently the PAGE UPDATE is published four times annually. There are 2000 printed for distribution. Also, the " PAGE Alert " and " Read and React " are designed to advise the membership of the status of the current matters and of the need to contact education officials and elected representatives regarding issues.

The PAGE emblem was adopted April 21, 1961. This is the symbol of Minerva, goddess of wisdom and learning. In July, 1981, a contest resulted in a new logo. The current PAGE logo was adopted in 1991.

In October, 1971, the Board of Directors decided to award annually the Margaret A. Neuber Awar d for contribution to education of gifted children. The first Neuber Award was presented at the Lebanon Valley College Conference, 1972. Neuber Award recipients have been parents, school representatives, state and local officials.

PAGE has endeavored to contribute to the educational needs of gifted children in a number of ways. Through the years, PAGE has held conferences on an annual basis. Most of these have been statewide, although some have been regional conferences. PAGE members made presentations to the Governor's Task Force of 1960 in the areas of Teacher Education and Relations, Curriculum, Guidance and Counseling, Administration, and Higher Education. The Association communicated with the United States House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor in 1962 regarding legislation pertaining to special education. PAGE participated in the Governor's Committee on Children and Youth in 1962. The Association has sought to influence the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Legislature regarding regulations and legislation on behalf of education for gifted pupils. PAGE members have sought to encourage local boards of education and administrators to develop and to expand programs for gifted education. In 1975 and 1976, representatives of the Association appeared before the hearings of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education regarding procedures and regulations pertaining to gifted children. In 1977, PAGE became a member of the Consortium which meets to discuss Pennsylvania state educational matters.

In 1981, PAGE provided a series of sixty-second pre-recorded tapes of public service announcements for distribution to radio stations throughout the state. PAGE has provided support in conducting the Future Problem Solving Bowl program in Pennsylvania.

In 1984, a member of the PAGE Board of Directors conducted a review of the gifted program procedures in eleven Intermediate Units of Pennsylvania. Primary concerns included such elements as poor documentation, due process procedures, substandard classroom space, inadequate programs, unspecific curricula, and inadequate inservice and supervision. The information was disseminated to education entities and to the PAGE membership.

In 1984, PAGE formed a task force to evolve certification standards for teachers of gifted students. The rationale for this was based on a 1984 survey of PAGE members along with longstanding feelings by many for this. In addition, the task force surveyed other educational organizations for their reaction and input. Letters of support were received from several colleges and universities endorsing the need for certification of teachers of the gifted. A legal basis for this was submitted with the proposal. Meetings with various Pennsylvania Department of Education officials have been held. On February 19, 1987, the State Board of Education held hearings at three locations to consider adoption of PAGE 's request for certification of teachers of the gifted.

In 1985, PAGE cooperated with the Pennsylvania Department of Education in compiling a list of summer programs offered by Pennsylvania colleges and universities for six to eighteen-year olds. This compilation listed eighty-four institutions of higher learning offering programs at ninety-eight locations. PAGE has been actively involved in supporting directly, or as Amicus Curiae , several court cases on behalf of gifted children and interpretation of due process as it pertains to the formulating of individual education prescriptions for these students. PAGE has also provided advocacy assistance to parents and children.

PAGE continues to be active in recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Task Force on Gifted Education and currently serves as a stakeholders' group in finalizing the Chapter 16 gifted education guidelines.

In the mid 1970's, PAGE authorized the organization of local affiliate chapters -- Western, Central, and Eastern. By early 1992, there were seventy-three PAGE affiliates. The affiliates provide parent education and assist in advocacy efforts at the local level. Each year an affiliate weekend is held to provide them with leadership assistance and the current status of gifted education in Pennsylvania.

In 1985, the Association initiated the PAGE Educator of the Year Award which is given at the state conference. More recently, the Association acted to present two additional awards: The Young Humanitarian Award ,and Parent of the Year Award .

A handbook for teachers and parents entitled "Gifted in Pennsylvania" was prepared and published by PAGE in 1989. It has been widely disseminated throughout the state. Additional publications have followed, including 2007's "Understanding and Challenging the Gifted: An Introduction for Teachers."

In 1989-90, during hearings on revisions of Special Education Standards and Regulations, PAGE presented much testimony on behalf of gifted students. Following this revision, PAGE developed a checklist for parents to familiarize them with student rights.

In March, 1992, training sessions were held for affiliate regional directors to provide guidance for acting as advocates and leadership for effective parent training and understanding of giftedness.