​Bucks County IU Awarded $135K To Expand Gifted Programming

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) is one of 10 Intermediate Units across the Commonwealth selected to receive $135,000 as part of a $3.5 million grant funding initiative to expand access to gifted education programming in Pennsylvania.

The grant will allow the Bucks IU to serve as a regional training hub for gifted education programming enabling Bucks County school districts to serve more gifted students through the Pennsylvania Gifted Equity Initiative (PGEI).

“I am pleased that the Bucks IU is one of 10 Intermediate Units across the Commonwealth selected to receive this grant award," said Bucks IU Executive Director Dr. Mark Hoffman in announcing the award. "This demonstrates the level of confidence PDE has in our IU to provide these programs and services to school entities.”

The grant awards were announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) which is allocating $3.5 million to expand gifted services under a statewide support team consisting of state-level leads, intermediate units, local education agencies (LEAs), and national leaders in equity to advance equitable practices in gifted identification across the Commonwealth.

Bucks IU, along with nine other intermediate units, will serve as a regional training hub, receiving approximately the money over the five-year grant period.

“The PGEI grant will enable the Bucks IU to provide school districts with the tools, training, and resources necessary to implement identification procedures that will increase the number of students identified as gifted," said Nicole Borland, Director of Teaching and Learning at the Bucks IU. "Our IU looks forward to assisting our Bucks County teachers and administrators in expanding opportunities for identifying and serving gifted education students across the county.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) describes the purpose of the federal Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program as funding to develop systemic technical assistance and support to help school districts better identify and provide services to gifted students.

According to the PDE, funds will train educators to use culturally responsive tools to recognize potential in students; increase identification and retention rates of underrepresented students in gifted education; encourage collaboration between institutions of higher education to prepare pre-service teachers to better serve underrepresented gifted students; and provide support and training to families.