• Advanced Placement (AP)
The Advanced Placement(AP) program helps cover the test fees of eligible low income students, and support activities to increase the participation of low-income students in Advanced Placement courses and tests.

• Alternative Education
A separate program within a K-12 public school district or charter school established to serve and provide youth a choice or option whose needs are not being met in the traditional school setting.

• Dual Enrollment
In 1996 the Michigan State Legislature passed the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act or "Dual Enrollment bill." The bill modifies and expands on current provisions of the State School Aid Act providing for the participation of eligible high school students in dual enrollment or postsecondary enrollment options. The bill also requires that the board of a school district or public school academy ensure that each student in eighth grade or higher be given information about college level equivalent or Advanced Placement courses; and permit students in tenth grade to take the MEAP High School Test to qualify to take postsecondary courses. The classes that students are eligible for must not be offered by the high school or academy and must lead towards accreditation, certification and/or trade licensing. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Sinicropi or Charlotte Koger by phone at 517-241-1162 or by email at sinicropis@michigan.gov or kogerc@michigan.gov.

• Student Government Programs
The Department of Education helps over see two student government programs, United States Senate Youth Program, sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, and the Youth in Government Program, sponsored by the Michigan YMCA. Both competitions allow Michigan students the opportunity to watch government in action on State or National levels.

• Center for Talent Development Network
Northwestern University

• Council for Exceptional Children
Professional organization for teachers of both special education and gifted and talented students.

• GT World
Support resources for parents with a mailing list, MOO, and links.

• The Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
Research, tips, links to articles and other resources.

• ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education

• Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth (IAAY) -
Johns Hopkins University

• National Association for Gifted Children

• Odyssey of the Mind
A creative problem solving program sponsored by Creative Competitions

• SENG
Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted

• Gifted Kids Speak
A current view of giftedness through the eyes (and voices!) of people bearing this label This project is a research study currently in progress. To learn more, or take part in the study, click on the link above.

• National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented

• Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education

• Attention Advanced and Accelerated (Gifted and Talented) program contact person/consultant/teacher.
Section 57 Advanced and Accelerated Summer Institute Grant

The Section 57 Advanced and Accelerated Summer Institute Grant is available on the Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS) under Certification. Eligible applicants are Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs). Eligible applicants may wish to partner with other ISDs/RESAs to form a consortium. Consortium forms are available with the certification component in MEGS.

The funds are intended for the support of summer institutes for advanced and accelerated pupils. If your ISD or RESA does not engage in activities for the Advanced and Accelerated students and does not enter into a consortium arrangement with other eligible applicants, consider utilizing the funds to support scholarships for students to attend summer workshops at colleges and universities. This is an allowable use of the funds under the current legislation.

The grant award is in the amount of $5,000. These funds must be matched by at least 25 percent (25%) from other fund sources. In order to receive these funds, an ISD or RESA must declare that the grant will be used for the intended purpose through the certification process in MEGS.

All certifications are due April 1, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Sam Sinicropi in the Office of School Improvement, Academic Support Unit, at 517-241-1162 or via e-mail at sinicropis@michigan.gov.

• Charlevoix-Emmet ISD 2007 Section 57 Summer Institute Grant Final Report 

• Delta-Schoolcraft ISD 2007 Section 57 Summer Institute Grant Final Report 

• Seaborg Center 2007 Section 57 Summer Institute Grant Final Report