LETTER 1 July 3, 2002 Dear Dr. Adams, Learning is a lifelong process. In this fast-changing world, there are many new strategies to be learned, particularly since we have expanded the Indianapolis Public Schools Gifted and Talented program. That is why the partnership between the Indianapolis Public Schools and the Ball State University Center for Gifted Studies & Talented Development, particularly through the Javits grant, Project GATE, has been so beneficial. During the past three years, faculty at five elementary, five middle, and five high schools have received training in diffferentiated instruction through Project GATE. While the activities and lessons developed targeted gifted children in particular, teachers were able to extend these new techniques to reach ALL children inn their classrooms. The curriculum that was developed by you and your project staff was exemplary, and the materials produced in collaboration with Indianapolis Public Schools teachers are being implemented in their classrooms. Project GATE has been a strong, highly successful partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools and Ball State's Center for Gifted Studies & Talented Development. Based on the tremendous success of Porject GATE, I am more than pleased top support a new collabvorative effoer between the Indianapolis Public Schools and the Ball State Center for Gifted Studies & Talented Development, Project CLUE. With the ability to reach over 200 teachers and 6000 students, Project CLUE has the potential to assist in closing the achievemnet gap that exists with out underserved gifted populations in particular and all students in general. Because Project CLUE is aligned with Public Law 221 which mandates continuous progress for all learners and with the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, it not only will make a great impact on Indianapolis Public Schools, but also has the potential to enhance gifted education nationwide. I am particularly excited about a new identification procedure that will increase the diversity in our gifted programs. Mrs. Billie Moore shared with me the results of the pilot study that used a nonverbal measure in addition to standardized tests to identify students for the gifted program. I understand an additional 29% of the students, particularly those students for whom English is a second language, students who come from impoverished backgrounds, and other minority students, were identified and recommended for placement in the program. In addition, I am delighted that Project CLUE will serve gifted students in cluster groups in the regular classroom. The training provided for these cluster teachers will benefit ALL students inn their classrooms. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the support of the Indianapolis Public Schools for this partnership, Project CLUE. Sincerely, Duncan N. P. Pritchett Jr., Ed. D. Superintendent LETTER 2 July 3, 2002 Dear Dr. Adams, I am pleased to write this letter of support for a new Javits grant, Project CLUE. The partnership formed between the Indianapolis Public Schools and the Ball State Center for Gifted Studies & Talented Development that resulted in Project GATE, a Javits grant, has been strong and firm. Project GATE, just completed, has enabled the district to provide substantial professional development to many of its teachers to improve their understanding, skills and responsiveness to the diverse learning needs of our students. Project CLUE will make it possible to build on this foundation by continuing to address the professional development needs of the teachers, while at the same time developing and implementing a challenging and exciting program for students. Project CLUE will be implemented in 52 elementary schools and 15 middle schools, impacting over 200 teachers and 6000 students. Because of the contribution this grant makes to the preparation of teachers and the education of students, I strongly support Project CLUE and urge favorable consideration for its funding through the Jacob K. Javits Act. Sincerely, Dr, Willie Giles, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum/Instrucution LETTER 3 July 1, 2002 To: Cheryll M. Adams, Director Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development     From: Roy A. Weaver, Dean     Re: Jacob K. Javits Grant     It is with great pleasure that I write in enthusiastic support of the Center's proposal for a Jacob K. Javits Grant to establish gifted programs in the Indianapolis Public Schools in grades three through eight using cluster grouping. As Dean of Teachers College, I am in direct contact with both preservice and in-service teachers through our Professional Development Schools and other initiatives, several of which include the Indianapolis Public Schools. I have seen the impact that challenging curriculum has had on all students. With the increasing diversity in the nation's school population there is a greater demand that teachers meet the needs of all students in the regular classroom. Further, those schools that serve a large population of economically disadvantaged and/or limited English speaking students face the challenge of identifying the academic potential of students whole talents may be masked by cultural differences. Once identified by nontraditional means, these students require a curriculum that is qualitatively different. Your proposal to develop and implement an identification plan and a gifted program for these students will allow equitable access to challenging, meaningful curriculum, filling a gap that has widened considerably over the years. The Center's work with its first Javits grant, Project GATE, has had a positive impact on the preparation of Indianapolis Public Schools teachers to differentiated instruction in the classroom. Your current proposal to work with 67 schools to design and implement a gifted program using differentiated instructional strategies will provide a seamless transition from Project GATE to the proposed model project. I hope I have conveyed the importance of your project to the Indianapolis Public Schools, Ball State, and other schools across the nation who might wish to replicate the model. Please continue with the submission of this Javtis grant proposal.