Oswego County BOCES programs address gifted & talented

On Board Online • September 24, 2012

By Lani Camp and Amy Rhinehart

The state Legislature created regional BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) in 1948 to provide cost-effective shared educational programs and services to school districts. More than 60 years later, the goal remains the same, but it has evolved to include a focus on preparing students for their role in a global economy while collaborating with districts to close gaps in student achievement.

While the state’s 37 BOCES are well-known for providing student programs for special-needs students, alternative educational opportunities and career and technical education, the mission doesn’t stop there. A variety of programming serves to fill the gaps for a wide variety of needs among component districts – including the need to challenge students and serve the most gifted and talented.

“We are working with our school districts to implement instructional strategies and structures to promote high engagement and challenging learning opportunities for all students; for those students who are struggling and those who are at the higher end of the academic spectrum,” said Oswego County BOCES District Superintendent Christopher Todd.

Pathways to Prosperity, a recent Harvard University study on alternative pathways to graduation, called for a focus on the development of 21st Century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and communication to equip students for success following high school. These 21st Century skills are addressed in the gifted and talented programs that school districts have requested through Oswego County BOCES, including:

• The Oswego County Academic Youth (OCAY) League. OCAY League was inspired 15 years ago by an idea that academics merit a standing comparable to athletics. Different district teams, each chosen for the specific contest, compete with each other four times a year in dynamic academic challenges that encourage leadership, creativity and cooperative problem solving.
• Distance Learning. The BOCES’ distance learning program strives to bridge the gap in educational opportunities and enhance learning experiences for students and teachers in a cost-effective and cooperative manner. By bringing this expanded access to learning from around the globe into the local classroom, students are exposed to many interactive educational experiences that time, distance, or cost would prohibit. Courses and programs are available for students in kindergarten through high school on a variety of topics and subjects.
• Arts-in-Education. The BOCES’ regional arts-in-education service coordinates a wide variety of artists, authors, and character education speakers who can introduce students to new cultures, creativity, and ideas to help them broaden their perspective on the world. These artists perform in assembly-type venues, give workshops, or spend multiple days partnering with teachers on specific projects. The service also helps districts purchase tickets to the theater, musical concerts, and dance performances further expanding students’ exposure to arts and culture.
• Foreign Language Immersion Program (FLIP). High school students spend six days during the summer, immersed in the French or Spanish language and culture while in residence on a college campus. Students live the language for 24 hours a day while engaging in interactive activities related to the countries where the language is spoken. The students attend classes, participate in sports, hands-on projects, field trips and other activities under the supervision of master teachers who are native speakers, certified in the specific foreign language.
• Battle of the Books.  A nationally recognized literacy program, Battle of the Books, encourages students to read, enhances reading comprehension and promotes teamwork as well as academic excellence. Grade-level students from each participating district volunteer to take part in the program by committing to read 12 to 15 books from a predetermined list. Teams of students, mentored by a coach, compete for the privilege to represent their district at a culminating county-wide competition.

These programs represent but a small section of gifted and talented programs available at Oswego County BOCES that enhance educational opportunities for all students.

“While not new, nor unique to Oswego County BOCES, these programs and enrichment opportunities play a vital role in college-readiness and overall intellectual preparation in equipping our districts’ students for future success,” said Todd. “Optimizing resources and creating challenging programs that employ skills necessary for student success in today’s global economy is what makes our service organization strong.”

Lani Camp and Amy Rhinehart work in public relations for Oswego County BOCES.