Gifted and Talented Services

Region 7 ESC offers targeted training for administrators and counselors throughout the year. To register, click on the workshop number or email Melinda Coop at [email protected].

Administrators:
Administrators must complete 6 hours of professional development on the nature, needs, and service options for G/T students, per the State Plan (19 TAC §89.2(4)).

Counselors:
Counselors working with G/T students must also complete 6 hours of training, covering the nature, needs, service options, and social-emotional learning for G/T students (19 TAC §89.2(4)).

Tips for New Coordinators

1. Read through the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. Make notes, ask questions, and reflect on your district’s gifted/talented services.
2. Be sure you have the contact information for the Region 7 ESC G/T specialists handy. There is no such thing as a silly question when you are new, and you will have many of them! The Region 7 ESC G/T specialists are ready to answer all of your questions. They will be happy to help you as you get started as a new coordinator!
3. The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students states, “Teachers as well as administrators who have supervisory duties for service decisions are required to complete a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and service options for gifted/talented students (19 TAC §89.2(4))."  Region 7 ESC offers this training as a face-to-face session to meet the diverse needs of our districts and charter schools.  To register, click on the G/T Professional Development tab and click on Administrators/Counselors  for a list of workshops being offered.
4. Begin to look at your district or charter's G/T program. Find out how each of your campuses is providing services. For example: Pull-out, Push-in, Full-time gifted only, Full-time inclusion, Special day school
5. On each of those campuses, find out who is coordinating and delivering G/T services. Be sure there is documentation to support that each of the assigned G/T teachers has the required G/T training. View the Region 7 ESC's professional development offerings for teachers who need training by visiting the G/T Professional Learning tab and clicking on 30 Hour Basics or 6 Hour Updates.
6. Talk to the administrators on each campus and find out if administrators and counselors have had the required G/T training in nature and needs, service options, and social-emotional learning.
7. Look at your list of identified gifted students at each campus. Confirm that they are in class with a G/T trained teacher and are receiving services.
8. Look at your district or school's assessment and identification procedures. Find out how your students are identified. Is data being collected from multiple sources for each area of giftedness served by the district as required in the Texas State Plan?  Look at your demographics to see if your gifted program reflects the district's demographics. Does your assessment process allow for student exceptionalities? Are students being assessed in languages they understand or with nonverbal assessments?
9. Ask each campus principal to recommend a classroom you could visit to observe challenging curriculum and instruction. After visiting several classrooms, review your district or school's G/T curriculum framework. Did you see evidence of that framework on your visits?
10. Review your district's G/T comprehensive manual or program guide. Compare it to the district's Local EHBB board policy and the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. Are these three documents aligned? Do they reflect what is happening on your campuses? If you do not have a district comprehensive manual or program guide, contact the Region 7 ESC G/T department for assistance in developing one.

1. Connect, connect, connect with others in the field of gifted education. Oftentimes, especially in smaller districts, you might be the only teacher of the gifted. 
2. Become familiar with state law and the State Board of Education rule regarding gifted education by reviewing the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students.
3. Know what it means to be gifted. Who are the gifted? Are all kids gifted? What do you think? The State defines gifted students as “… a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who: a) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, and/or artistic area; b) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or c) excels in a specific academic field.
4. Become an advocate for your students. Stay current in research and best practices regarding gifted education.  
5. Complete (if you haven’t already) the required foundational 30 clock hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, identification and assessment of gifted/talented students’ needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted/talented students.
6. Understand the curriculum and instructional policies regarding gifted education. Section 4 of the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students encompasses curriculum and instruction. In fact, the section header states, “Districts meet the needs of gifted/talented students by modifying the depth, complexity, and pacing of the curriculum and instruction ordinarily provided by the school.”  Learn about the 11 depth and complexity thinking tools which were developed specifically for teachers to use with their gifted learners.  These tools, represented by icons, help students "dig deeper" and take a more "complex look" at the standard, content, or topic being taught.  Ian Byrd's website contains a wealth of information that will show you how to implement the depth and complexity tools.  It's worth a visit!
7. Differentiate! Do you know what can be differentiated? How? For a quick reference, visit The Differentiator. You’ll like the Differentiation Central website, too!
8. Provide opportunities for your gifted students to shine and accelerate in their areas of strengths. Region 7 ESC offers many opportunities for gifted students through our student seminars.
9. Read this article…it’s worth your time. 
10. Be flexible! Programs and services for gifted students are designed to meet the needs of the students. Students should not be made to conform to a “set” program. In fact, the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students mandates that gifted students are assured an array of learning opportunities that are commensurate with their abilities and that out-of-school options relevant to the their areas of strength are provided.

We hope you find this information helpful! And as always, you have help right here at Region 7 ESC. Be sure to contact us if you have questions or need assistance!