Attention Current and Future Parents in the Tempe Union High School District!

We need your help to ensure that gifted funds are allocated to serve our gifted students at all schools in the District!

TUHSD is considering another self-contained “gifted academy” at Mountain Pointe’s campus due to concerns over decreasing enrollment throughout the District and Mountain Pointe’s lower performance standing relative to Desert Vista and Corona del Sol high schools.The District also cited "location and availability of space" for choosing MTP. 

There are several major concerns about this plan:

#1 Peggy Payne Academy (PPA) and a Baccalaureate Diploma program in the northern region did not prevent decreasing enrollment in our District and there’s no evidence that another gifted academy will reverse this trend. 

#2 Because 5 of the 6 Kyrene middle schools feed into our southern region, this plan will NOT increase enrollment from outside the District, but will divert our brightest kids away from Corona and Desert Vista. Robbing Peter to pay Paul does not exemplify fiscal responsibility and may lead to serious negative consequences in the near future.  Any plan the District considers must not take away from our schools!

#3 Self-contained schools like Peggy Payne are designed for students with strong executive functioning, the “high achievers,” to the exclusion of the “Einsteins.” This model leaves many of our gifted and twice exceptional students behind, and typically under-represents ethnic and socioeconomic diverse populations. 

#4 Self-contained models are often labeled "elitist." Promoting elitism at a Title 1 campus does not align with our vision for an ethical and equitable educational experience. 

All high school campuses in the District offer gifted services in the form of differentiated learning and enrichment of curriculum. This is heavily dependent on highly trained gifted-certified teachers!  Currently, our teachers have to pay for this training themselves. Funding is necessary for professional development and other innovative programs for our students across all campuses.  Additionally, inclusion models make gifted services equitable and accessible for all students who qualify!  

Take Action !!!!!

You are your child’s greatest advocate! Please ask the District to reconsider their options. Say NO to another gifted academy at Mountain Pointe and YES to allocation of funds to serve gifted students at every campus! 

Voice your concerns by signing this petition, attending their next community forum, and by contacting the District’s Superintendent and Governing Board Members! 

Next Community Forum is Monday, November 25th at Kyrene Altadeña Middle School 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85048 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Superintendent Kevin Mendivil: (480) 839-0292 x11010; email: Kmendivil@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Email TUHSD Governing Board Members:

Berdetta Hodge – President: bhodge@tempeunion.org
Brian Garcia - Vice President: bgarcia@tempeunion.org
Andres Barraza: abarraza@tempeunion.org
Michelle Helm: mhelm@tempeunion.org
Sandy Lowe: slowe@tempeunion.org

Resources:

ADE Gifted Education: https://www.azed.gov/gifted-education/

National Association of Gifted Children: http://www.nagc.org/

TUHSD Gifted Program: https://www.tempeunion.org/Gifted