[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6317297,"mediaKeyId","2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84","parentId",2374631,"title","PWCS updates gifted education plan, reports growth in identified students and outreach efforts","audioSeconds",274,"startMs",6570000,"endMs",6844000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84&start=6570&end=6844","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84/thumbnail_6570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317297/Virginia/PWCS-updates-gifted-education-plan-reports-growth-in-identified-students-and-outreach-efforts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317297-8aac93dccccf36f0bc34a205c3dc8916/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803617&Signature=b8WcP28fG2NrmiSVgUDWv4jEjIA2R6OOjOxGC7W9DV2f7ipC1WypONf87Yktj2dq0kMO1SxEhQuwfBUSbQH2d-0vhZW6PtjmTImqr5ZLPkBT8Ud7Qhnn9jgFldK08auuhUgbUKHJlGAuJDfpuPEF~uFlTqECaKsk1I6G0K1bRqwBw2JWpuDSsFo0V~BaT20nu3yRkgSnAwK0jH6yLGrDJE~HaMKv6yKFGUT9Mn6LoKbmYkkiMancPzerbhL4lN7HSDOhd~ESGfmO8Gz4L6WmxjKUHAVRqqOZRDiHe2IJaqSSI3h78Nu5hPCcCpIzf8f-H0xHGtcVaHcDPtTSpXmxgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince William Co Public School","date","2025-02-21T22:12:32Z","article","Prince William County Public Schools presented an update Feb. 19 on its Gifted Education and Talent Development Program, outlining identification methods, enrollment figures, service delivery and outreach activities intended to increase equitable representation among underrepresented student groups.

Associate Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Sullivan introduced Brenda Bailey, program supervisor for Gifted Education and Talent Development, who led the presentation. Bailey said that as of the start of the school year 15,158 students were identified for and receiving gifted services, about 17% of the division’s student population. She said the division had increased participating students by about 14% over five years and that the program identifies students in general intellectual aptitude, specific academic areas and visual and performing arts. Bailey noted that 24.1% of identified students were economically disadvantaged, 11.6% were English learners and 3.6% were twice-exceptional (gifted and special education), and she presented a racial/ethnic breakdown of identified students.

Bailey described several changes the division has implemented to make identification more equitable: universal screening at key grades using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (grades 2, 6 and 9) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (grade 3); an early-talent development program for kindergarten through grade 2; and a new language-growth percentile metric developed with the Research, Assessment and Data Services Department to better capture rapid language acquisition among English learners. She said these steps have narrowed gaps for several groups, with particularly notable progress in identification of English learners and economically disadvantaged students even as overall gaps remain for some populations.

On service delivery, Bailey said each PWCS school now has at least one full-time gifted resource teacher; elementary students receive increasing pullout time by grade level (from about 25 minutes per week in kindergarten to full-day services in grades 4–5), and middle- and high-school services include scheduled classes, seminars and accelerated pathways. She described classroom-collaboration models, enrichment activities, and examples of student projects and partnerships such as mentorships, camps, governor’s schools and community programming.

The presentation also noted related division work in career and technical education (CTE): a new partnership with Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow, Human Resources and Northern Virginia Community College to create a two-year pathway that grants 14–17 credits toward the teaching professional career study certificate, and a $75,000 advancing computer science education grant to fund camps, teacher training and internships. Bailey highlighted that PWCS continues to send nominees for national honors (one PWCS student was a U.S. presidential scholar candidate) and that the Gifted Advisory Committee reviews local plan implementation annually.

Board members asked about outreach to families (including non–English-speaking families), funding and program evaluation. Bailey and Dr. Sullivan described training for parent liaisons, stronger school-level relationships because of the additional gifted resource teachers, and the advisory committee’s role in collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Several board members asked whether high-school gifted electives are weighted; staff said the current gifted seminar courses carry a standard weight (4.0) but noted the division is conducting a coding and weighting review and will report back. Bailey invited families to a May 3 parent advocacy event on gifted services.

The presentation provides a status update on the program’s expansion and on efforts to make identification and services more accessible to underrepresented students; the board posed follow-up questions about high-school service models, transcript weighting and further outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince William County School Board Meeting - February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prince William County Public Schools reported Feb. 19 that about 15,158 students (roughly 17% of enrollment) are identified for gifted services and described new screening tools, staffing increases and outreach intended to improve equitable identification and services.","taxTitle","PRINCE WILLIAM CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14511,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6317302,"Public hearing on FY2026 budget draws speakers on security, special education and transgender student policies",111,350000,461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84&start=350&end=461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6317302/Virginia/Public-hearing-on-FY2026-budget-draws-speakers-on-security-special-education-and-transgender-student-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317302-2a257288ef9305c1a5c729a985ee2ee9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803617&Signature=cW3FeAXENnBskjBE-uQ1wtgkJbisnWwCSRQ8kxPXiDrhd7zREJCZrpl3StQdL6-NnSBBv7oKqvtnvsHVs00bxOknckERrPpswvmN5BsIWzAVx2y96wQpdeiZfm2vm6S2j~hlnylrfD-He46ffmqkaLsMlj92m4KMa3~KzTu-GbnBxSyp368uk2hKnh8gk58i53eBl5N2wZ35fzTM8ZYsAj--3LFRk5Go5Uvyhck-oVxOOmtqqMKIVLb7OJnTqYomwwtupWH-GWvYB1LdIH7PvyNWAuPwgE6iH0FU9oJjPBWvTVD-kVgz9~B5nw9HVf~PUMVtXA4oqUaD0EToUyzL~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince William County School Board opened a public hearing Feb. 19 on the superintendent’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and heard from citizens who spoke both to budget priorities and to a separate, high-profile debate over school policies concerning transgender students.

Board members announced six citizens had signed up to speak during the formal budget hearing. Speakers and members of the public who addressed the board during the hearing asked the board to prioritize school safety and special education funding and debated whether the division should alter its nondiscrimination policies in response to a recent presidential executive order.

Jen Donnelly, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, told the board she wanted “armed security personnel in our elementary schools” and urged the board to fund school resource officers at every elementary site, citing safety concerns and overcrowding at Covington Harbor trailers. Donnelly also raised the question of compliance with a recent executive order and suggested budget cuts could follow noncompliance.

Other budget-speakers addressed different priorities. Sandra Kern, a parent of a former special education student, urged the board to “put the money where it needs to go,” describing concerns about special education funding and student literacy. Osborne Park parent and community members and food service staff were recognized for a Virginia School Breakfast Award; Director of Food and Nutrition Andrea Early reported that Osborne Park saw an increase in breakfast participation of about 30% after the school entered the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

After the formal hearing closed, the board opened a one-hour citizen comment period. About 20 commenters signed up to speak. Many speakers focused on the district’s nondiscrimination regulation (recorded in the meeting as Regulation 7-38-5) and on whether the division should follow a recent executive order addressing participation of transgender students in girls’ sports and use of facilities.

Speakers opposing the current nondiscrimination language cited Title IX and the executive order. Mary Anne Jensen said the board had “decided to continue its non-step behavior of putting politics before education” and urged the board to reverse course, calling for protection of female students’ privacy. Melissa Yerk and others asked the board to declare compliance with the governor’s direction and VHSL guidance on sports.

Other commenters urged the board to maintain protections for transgender and nonbinary students. Rebecca (Becca) Anderson, a former teacher and parent, thanked the board for “upholding the PWCS nondiscrimination policy,” and asked the district to strengthen practices that protect trans students; Caitlin Weston, an instructional coach and parent, said the policies are “life saving,” citing research on suicide risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth. Several speakers described students who avoided using bathrooms or who were outed by school staff mistakes and urged continuation of inclusive practices.

The board did not take action on policy changes at the Feb. 19 meeting; the session was a hearing on the proposed budget and a public comment forum. No vote to change Regulation 7-38-5 was recorded. Board members said they would continue to review legal obligations, VHSL guidance and court precedent raised by speakers. Several speakers referenced the Fourth Circuit’s ruling in the Gloucester County litigation and legal risk if the board changed course; others noted ongoing litigation challenging executive orders.

What happened: The public hearing on the FY 2026 proposed budget concluded with no board vote on policies discussed during public comment. The formal budget process will continue on the board’s schedule; board members and the superintendent reiterated their intent to balance legal obligations, student safety and inclusion in future deliberations.","The board’s public hearing on the FY 2026 proposed budget included six budget speakers and a later citizen comment period in which dozens of residents addressed school safety, support for transgender students and special education funding; speakers had sharply different views on Title IX, recent executive orders and Regulation 7-38-5.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6317307,"Prince William County School Board approves agenda, enters closed session and approves personnel actions",93,144000,237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84&start=144&end=237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374631-eafae3cffea9233ac7a09b595b0e9c84/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6317307/Virginia/Prince-William-County-School-Board-approves-agenda-enters-closed-session-and-approves-personnel-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317307-91bcfdfe37143c8984db2fb35dde8a4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803617&Signature=EcYth02jXjZAAHaKqzqpUDNEKdJc1B-~w1tpee6zTSDUAUke480cXKRcHXrvCOMCKAG-ymNfV1-JCPgKITADG4uX-jAD0rcAU~CYQzEp5RAZD0kcwUjQQYorJwRYF8IrtbzZD8xRg~jFLsojSPGimpMNbo6jXvtGPpAYtbRHXGt5GnYwb2qNGmYhSLGH0Yl8zPZV2OW~EYRdad-NfBsxDxWPQqYjdZOjVM0u3Y~jl3Oat6ZcT0v4ecRliJunz2obQkcDNRY8M8egVZ7zexqOW8PiOH6g9Dj8SLUsgJydTwCJmYEjqiZ88DuzxUzuA49AfdBLrf2HYvaeuRvwJXMXnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prince William County School Board members voted Feb. 19 to approve the meeting agenda, move into a closed session under Virginia law, and later certify that the closed meeting discussed only the matters listed in the motion. The board also approved personnel appointments and releases that were presented during the closed session and adopted the consent agenda.

The board first approved the meeting agenda by voice vote after Vice Chair Blake moved that the board “approve the meeting agenda as recommended.” The board then voted unanimously to enter closed session under Virginia Code sections cited on the record (see authorities). The motion listed personnel matters, litigation, collective bargaining negotiation strategy and school security briefings as the subjects permitted for a closed meeting.

After approximately one hour in closed session the board reconvened in open session and unanimously adopted a certification resolution stating that “only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meetings requirements were discussed” and that only items identified in the motion were considered. That certification resolution passed 8–0.

Following certification, the board adopted a motion to “approve the appointments and releases of specific employees as presented in the closed session.” That motion also passed unanimously, 8–0. The board then approved the consent agenda by an 8–0 vote. A separate motion to approve acknowledgements and recognitions passed with a recorded vote of 6 yes and 2 abstentions.

No substantive details about individual hires or separations were disclosed during the open meeting; the board recorded only that the personnel matters had been approved following the closed-session presentation. Board members also noted that the closed-session discussions had included briefings related to the security of school facilities as permitted by state law.

The votes taken at the meeting were procedural and routine in form but required by law for the board to act on personnel and litigation items in closed session before returning to open session and certifying those discussions.","At its Feb. 19 meeting the Prince William County School Board approved the agenda, voted unanimously to enter and later certify a closed session, and approved appointments and releases presented in closed session; other routine items including the consent agenda passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PWCS updates gifted education plan, reports growth in identified students and outreach efforts

Public hearing on FY2026 budget draws speakers on security, special education and transgender student policies

Prince William County School Board approves agenda, enters closed session and approves personnel actions