Wake County seeks feedback on draft AIG plan; second-grade universal screening, new high-school supports proposed

Wake County Public School System staff presented a redline draft of the district’s AIG (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) plan and asked the Student Achievement Committee for feedback to shape a June full-board approval. Pearl Roberts, Advanced Learning staff, told members the district has moved universal screening from third grade to second grade and added clarifying language and high-school-focused supports in the proposed 2025–28 plan.

The draft’s main changes include clearer K–12 subheadings and definitions for extension, enrichment and acceleration; increased emphasis on high-school supports and a named high-school coordinator role (present at the committee meeting); a community-access liaison to identify community-based opportunities and business/university partnerships; and changes to some programs and funding lines (the draft removes "explorers" and notes Wake Cam funding is not currently included). Pearl Roberts asked board members to provide feedback on the redline draft within roughly one week (staff accepted questions through Sunday).

Why it matters: staff said earlier screening and explicit high-school supports aim to expand equitable access to advanced learning opportunities and to better align acceleration and AP/dual-enrollment pathways. The plan also emphasizes family-facing guidance and public readability; staff said they simplified language to reduce acronym overload and to make the plan more usable for parents and partners.

Key proposals and details - Screening: Universal screening will be conducted in second grade going forward; the district piloted second- and third-grade universal screening this year and plans to continue second-grade screening. - High-school supports: The plan highlights a high-school coordinator and a symposium/PLC for AP teachers, trajectory planning for students, and community-based learning opportunities (internships, campus visits and partnerships). - Family engagement and guidance: The draft requires annual school-level family meetings about AIG practices, and staff said the district will publish guides for families and community partners. - Timeline and input: Staff provided a redline document and feedback form. Pearl Roberts asked for committee comments within a week and said the draft would return to the board for approval in June with stakeholder feedback incorporated.

Student voice: The presentation included remarks by Anne Mary Thomas, a Wake County student who described her AP course schedule and a final project that led her to research the county’s AIG system. Thomas said her AP English Language project included interviewing district AIG coordinators and peers and that the assignment changed her understanding of gifted programming.

Staff emphasized the plan remains a draft and that the state’s required sources-of-evidence section will be updated before submission. The committee agreed to route questions to Advanced Learning staff and to expect a follow-up before the full-board vote.