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2026 iagc   

VIRTUAL MIDWEST leadership summit

A discussion of gifted and acceleration policies, programs, and possibilities among different states for administrators, program coordinators, state legislators, & school board members. 

Hosted by Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC) in cooperation with Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC).  

Open to Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and other Midwest State Education Stakeholders.


The LEADERSHIP SUMMIT is  Sponsored by NATIONAL MATH STARS 

National Math Stars ensures mathematically extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science. We run a free, fully-funded support program for extraordinarily talented math students. We recruit students in 2nd and 3rd grades and support them through high school, providing free math mentoring, access to STEM summer camps, family advising, community events, and more. In total our program offers more than $100,000 in resources to each student accepted, over the course of a decade.  



A Patchwork of Advanced Learning

Highlighting State Policies and Student-Centered Programming

Join the IAGC for an in-depth discussion and workshop for Regional, District, and School Leaders as we examine how state policies and student-centered programming shape access, equity, and excellence in advanced learning.

      • Consider the question: Is advanced programming worth the investment? Review research and real-world impact on student success and district performance
      • Explore how neighboring states structure mandates, funding models, accountability measures, and guidance for advanced and gifted learners
      • Compare policy frameworks across states to better understand similarities, gaps, and opportunities for growth
      • Examine the connection between state policy, district implementation, and measurable student outcomes
      • Highlight districts that are successfully fulfilling—or exceeding—state mandates through innovative, student-centered programming
      • Identify practical models and scalable options districts can adapt to strengthen or expand services
      • Address common barriers to implementation, including misconceptions about advanced learning as an “elite” or optional initiative
      • Build cross-state networks with Regional, District, and School Leaders committed to strengthening advanced learning pathways


5 PD hrs available


KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Scott Peters   NWEA, Director of Research Consulting Partnerships

Scott J. Peters, Ph.D. is the Director of Research Consulting Partnerships at NWEA, a division of Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt (HMH). Prior to joining HMH he served as a Professor of Assessment and Research Methodology at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for 13 years. He received his Ph.D. from Purdue University specializing in gifted and talented education and applied research methodology. His research work focuses on educational assessment and data use, gifted and talented student identification, equity within advanced educational opportunities, and educational policy. He has published in the Australian Educational Researcher, AERA Open, Exceptional Children, the British Journal of Educational Psychology, Teaching for High Potential, Gifted Child Quarterly, Journal of Advanced Academics, Journal for the Education of the Gifted, Gifted and Talented International, Journal of Career and Technical Education Research, Ed Leadership, Ed Week, Phi Delta Kappan, and Pedagogies. He is the recipient of the Fedlhusen Doctoral Fellowship in Gifted Education, the NAGC Research an Evaluation Network Dissertation Award, the NAGC Doctoral Student of the Year Award, the NAGC Early Scholar Award, the NAGC Paper of the Year Award, the NAGC Book of the Year Award, and the UW-Whitewater Innovation and Outstanding Research Awards. He is the past Association Editor for NAGC and has served as the Program Chair of the AERA Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG, on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted, and as the National Association for Gifted Children Research and Evaluation Secretary. Starting in fall 2020, he is a co-Principal Investigator with the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. He is the first author of Beyond Gifted Education: Designing and Implementing Advanced Academic Programs (2013) and Designing Gifted Education Programs and Services: From Purpose to Implementation (2017), both from Prufrock Press, and the co-author (along with Jonathan Plucker) of Excellence Gaps in Education: Expanding Opportunities for Talented Students (2016), published by Harvard Education Press.


Our Keynote Speaker is sponsored by NATIONAL MATH STARS




Frequently Asked Questions

WHO should attend?   

  1. Midwest State Education Stakeholders (Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan)
  2. District / School Leadership teams 
  3. Administrators 
  4. ROE officers 
  5. State Legislators
  6. School Policymakers / Board Members

HOW will you attend?

This 1-day summit is a virtual event that includes:
    • zoom link invite sent 3-4 days prior to event
    • informative and timely presentations from representatives of  IAGC, OAGC, state legislators, and/or other experts in Advanced Learning Policies and Practices. 
    • breakout room workshops  to explore  innovative program models for advanced learners and to network with other state or district leaders.

WHEN will you attend?

  • Tuesday June 23, 2026   
  • 8:00am - 3:00pm Central  / 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern

WHAT are the registration details?

  • Registration opens March 1, 2026
  • Early Registration & Member Discount ends June 12, 2026
  • Registration closes June 18, 2026
  • Late Registration subject to availability
  • IAGC Members  & OAGC Members eligible for discounted rate
  • JOIN IAGC for MEMBER DISCOUNT  (complete membership before event registration)
  • Contact OAGC


TENTATIVE AGENDA

TIME TOPIC 
 8:00 - 8:15 am Sponsor Spotlight
8:15 - 9:30 am WELCOME & KEYNOTE:  Scott Peters 
9:30 - 9:50 am State Spotlight: OHIO 
9:50 - 10:00 am  10 min BREAK 
 10:00 - 10:40 amProgram Success in Ohio
10:40 - 11:00 am State Spotlight: ILLINOIS
 11:00 - 11:40 amProgram Success in Illinois 
 11:40 - 12:00 pm Breakout Session #1
12:00 - 12:30 pm LUNCH BREAK
 12:30 - 1:30 pmSpeaker
1:30 - 2:00 pmBreakout Session  #2 
 2:00 - 3:00 pm Speaker & Closing



NON-MEMBER TICKET:  $275

IAGC MEMBER:   $225

OAGC MEMBER:  $225 (with code)

ALL LATE REGISTRATIONS (if available):  $325



REFUND POLICY

All events are nonrefundable unless otherwise noted in the event registration. 

Registrations may be paid via check or credit card. 

Purchase Orders are not accepted for invoices under $1000, unless otherwise noted or arranged. 

Event registrations must be paid before the event date/time, unless otherwise noted.

Paid membership dues are also nonrefundable. 




Contact Us:

Illinois Association for Gifted Children

1500 Sullivan Road
Aurora, IL 60506

Ph: 630-907-5047
Fax: 630-907-5976


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The Illinois Association for Gifted Children is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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