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Columbus City Schools to expand Gifted Services and Transition Coordinator programs

Last week, CCS announced it would make changes to the district's special education program and transition coordinators. Teachers in the gifted program would also be moved to fill other positions. However, after a meeting Wednesday between superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon and the Columbus Education Association the program is now not only staying - but expanding.
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Last week, CCS announced it would make changes to the district's special education program and transition coordinators. Teachers in the gifted program would also be moved to fill other positions.

However, after a meeting Wednesday between superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon and the Columbus Education Association, the program is now not only staying - but expanding.

  • 26 transition coordinator positions will remain
  • Next school year, CCS will expand the gifted program to include 860 more students
  • CCS also plans to add 16 Gifted Services positions in elementary schools, bringing the program to every elementary school building

Dr. Dixon said her decision was based on several factors. She said in a statement,

"As I listened to the stories of the important work they do with our students, their compassion, care, and commitment to our students and their success was clear. My administrative team and I share this passion for all students. With this common vision in mind, I determined that changing the role of our Transition Coordinators was not the right decision."

President of the Columbus Education Association, John Coneglio said in a statement,

"I would like to thank Dr. Dixon for meeting with the Transition Coordinators. The Superintendent’s decision to keep the Transition Coordinator program as is allows our members to continue to do what they do best — serve our students and their families. I appreciate that Dr. Dixon and the Columbus Education Association were able to come to a mutual understanding and agreement on how to best serve our students. It is not easy to reverse course once a decision has been made, and I applaud her willingness to make this tough decision."

Columbus City Schools say the expansion of the Gift Services program is just the first step as It hopes to find ways to reach more students and to provide more opportunities.

Click below to read more on the announcement:

Gifted Services Expansion Plan

Joint Statement on Transition Coordinators and Gifted Services

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