PACE History / Mission
PACE
(Parents and Community for Excellence)
Who we are and What we do
PACE is the parent and community organization that supports the education of the academically talented (AT) and gifted students in Oswego Community School District 308. PACE was revitalized in January 2004 when there was a worry of losing funding for gifted education at the local level after gifted funding and gifted language in the state school code were removed by Governor Blagojevich in 2003. Funding for the local AT program had previously been discontinued in District 308 in the late 1980’s until 1994 due to a school district financial crisis. At that time a group of parents (calling themselves Parents and Community for Excellence or PACE) and teachers came together and were successful in the reinstatement of a formal gifted program in the district.
Since PACE was revitalized in 2004 we have done many things to support the education of the Academically Talented students in our district. At the local level, we have worked with the math task force to clarify the guidelines for math grade acceleration at the elementary level. Currently we are working with district teachers and administrators on Pyramids of Enrichment for AT students as part of the district strategy to provide an “Exemplary Educational Experience “for all students. At the state level, PACE’s communication and visit to Representative Tom Cross this past spring as part of the Illinois Association of Gifted Children’s Springfield trip was instrumental in restoring gifted funding in the state budget this August.
PACE also supports the families of AT children by hosting guest speakers to address how parents can support the social /emotional/ academic needs of gifted children. We host a family fun Science Night and an informational Summer Activities Fair. This year we had an AT Teacher Appreciation Night to let our AT Teachers know how much we truly appreciate what they provide for our children. We provide a weekly email news letter with information about what is happening at the local and state level as well as links for things to do with your children. In the future we would like to host coffee hours to network with each other on the challenges of raising a gifted child.
PACE is inviting you to become part of our organization to continue supporting the needs of our Academically Talented students. It takes money for guest speakers, web hosting and events. We also need your talents if you would like to help us continue advocating for our children. Please fill out the PACE membership form to help us continue supporting our Academically Talented children in District 308.
PACE was formed by a group of volunteer parents and teachers to establish a formal gifted program in District 308.
Today its members include not only parents and teachers, but administrators, and concerned community members working together.
Today, the group’s primary goal is to promote an educational environment in which ALL students are encouraged to strive for excellence.
We do this, in part, by advocating in support for the expansion of Academically Talented (AT) programs throughout the District.
Just as the "No Child Left Behind Act" identifies and addresses the unique needs of slower learners, PACE members believe that we have an obligation as parents and educators to recognize and address the unique learning needs of ALL children, including those who fall outside academic norms on both ends of the bell curve.
PACE does not
advocate on behalf of one group at the expense of others. Rather, we
recognize that the success of ALL of our students depends on the
commitment our District has stated so clearly in its mission: