LA PLATA, Md. (January 27, 2012) -- Two Charles County public elementary schools – Dr. James Craik and William B. Wade – were recently named recipients of the Maryland Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) award. The recognition program honors elementary, middle and high schools that offer gifted and talented programs that model excellence and focus on improving levels of student achievement.

Craik and Wade are two of only seven schools to be honored with the EGATE designation this year. They will each receive a Governor’s citation, EGATE school banner and plaque, and will be recognized at a state reception next month at the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Additionally, T.C. Martin Elementary School will be recognized as a program participant.

The program was launched in 2010 by the Maryland State Department of Education and the State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education. To be considered for the program, schools submit a comprehensive application that includes documentation that demonstrates their program is aligned with criteria outlined in the Maryland Criteria for Excellence: Gifted and Talented Education program guidelines.

Criteria are focused on six program components, and include: a student identification process; challenging curriculum and instruction, including a focus on content, instructional strategies and learning environment; professional qualified teachers; professional development; program management to ensure excellence; and evaluation for program improvement.

In addition to recognition, Craik and Wade will serve as model EGATE schools and must reapply every fourth year in order to maintain their EGATE status.

Details on the program and supporting criteria are located on the Maryland State Department of Education’s Web site at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/msde.

Source: Charles County Public Schools