Gifted and Talented
Supporting your gifted and talented programs.
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Professional Development
Gifted and Talented Foundational 30-Hour Training
Learn research-based, practical methods to serve gifted/talented learners in your classrooms at our GT 30-hour training. This fulfills the requirement of The Texas State Plan for the Education of gifted/talented students.
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Resource
Identification & Assessment Checklists for GT Coordinators
Do you know all the steps for the GT Identification and Assessment Process? Download a copy of our handy process checklists for Steps 1 through 5.
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Resource
Standards-Based Task Summary Page
Now that you've selected a standards-based task, start the planning process using this Task Summary Page. Be as thorough as you can when you plan. The more you plan at the beginning, the more flexible you will be while engaging in learning with your students.
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Service
Gifted and Talented Program Evaluations
Join us to learn research-based and practical methods to serve gifted/talented learners.
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Professional Development
Gifted and Talented 6-Hour Updates
Join us to learn research-based and practical methods to serve gifted/talented learners.
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Printable
GT Program Evaluation Tool
This free, customizable rubric is designed for GT coordinators to support program evaluations.
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Cooperatives
Gifted and Talented Cooperative
Join the cooperative and strengthen your district’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of gifted students while maximizing your budget.
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Article
4 Reasons to Invest in Summer Learning
Learning breaks can be difficult for children. The longer the break, the more learning loss occurs. Research on “summer slide” or “summer lag” shows that children can lose up to 34% of their learning over the summer break. This is a great reason to invest in summer learning. One solution is to engage your child […]
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Article
What to Do When Your Child is Identified as Gifted and Talented: A Parent’s Guide
You receive a letter from the school asking permission to test your child for the gifted and talented (GT) program. Or maybe you requested to have your child tested because you know they’re doing something that seems slightly more advanced than their peers. The next thing you know, the school calls you and tells you […]
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Workshop
Administrators and Counselors Training
This self-directed online course will meet the requirement for six hours of professional development for administrators and counselors who serve gifted students.
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Workshop
Using the Depth and Complexity Framework
Ensure advanced and gifted students are learning topics in the same way that an expert understands topics.
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Workshop
The Development of Products and Performances
Explore differentiation techniques through independent study and projects, empowering advanced learners to create meaningful products and performances.
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Workshop
Proactive Differentiation Using Assessments
Explore differentiation techniques to support advanced learners through the proactive use of assessments and targeted instructional strategies.
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Workshop
Planning with the Texas Performance Standards Project
Explore the TPSP website and resource to build our understanding of the resource and how it can be utilized with gifted students.
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Workshop
Gifted Potential in Creativity and Leadership
Develop a better understanding of how gifted potential in creativity and leadership plays a role in gifted programs.
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Workshop
Differentiation for Advanced Learners
Explore differentiation in the classroom as an instructional method that benefits advanced learners.
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Workshop
Curriculum Compacting for Advanced Learners
Learn the instructional strategy that allows gifted and talented, advanced students to determine a customized path of learning based on the readiness levels shown through pre-assessment.
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Workshop
Choice Boards for Advanced Learners
Develop a choice board that offers depth and complexity of thought for all students including advanced learners.
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Series
Leadership Forum
Connect with other Gifted & Talented leaders to discuss relevant issues for GT programming.
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Article
GT Identification and Assessment Process Checklist
Every year, districts across the state are required to identify students who will participate in Gifted and Talented (GT) programs. This GT identification process has specific requirements outlined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. This blog offers checklists and downloadable tools to guide coordinators in ensuring they follow the required […]
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Series
Pull Out Teacher Cohort
The Gifted and Talented pull-out teacher planning sessions have been developed specifically to support teachers who provide pull-out services to elementary students participating in the gifted and talented program.
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Article
Free Standards-based Tasks to Explore in TPSP
The Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP) is a Texas Education Agency (TEA) created website providing teachers across Texas with free standards-based tasks to use with their students. Let’s explore how you can embed these resources into your existing lesson plans to maximize the benefit to your students. Who and What Getting Started The TPSP resource […]
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Article
4 Tips for GT Training Requirements
Everyone wants to do what’s best for students. It can feel overwhelming to meet the training requirements for the gifted and talented program. However, these are in place to support you as you meet the needs of the highest learners in your classroom. Here are my 4 tips for GT training requirements and how to […]
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Article
Do You Know Your Gifted and Talented Program Goals?
Gifted and Talented (GT) Programs vary across campuses, districts, and the state. Do you know your gifted and talented program goals? Are you meeting these goals? How do you measure the success of your GT Program? How do you communicate goals and successes to your teaching, family, and student communities? Let’s discuss these questions and answers. I […]
Read Article: Do You Know Your Gifted and Talented Program Goals?
Providing services to help our Gifted and Talented community succeed
Our Specialists are dedicated to providing Gifted and Talented services in our area that align with the Texas State Plan for Gifted and Talented Students and state program requirements.
We offer programming updates and information for coordinators, directors, and campus specialists once per semester at the Gifted and Talented Leadership meeting. Our leadership workshops and forums are opportunities for you to connect with other leaders in our area while you get the support you need to align your programs to the state goal for services. You can register for our leadership offerings on Ecampus.
We offer a variety of online and in-person offerings that meet the state requirements for staff training. In addition to our sessions that are offered to the general public, districts can also request custom training that meets the direct needs of their staff members.
Note: The Gifted and Talented program revisions by the SBOE took effect on September 13, 2024. The ESC is currently updating our professional development materials to align with the new program requirements. Updated materials will feature 'Revised to Include Sept. 2024 SBOE Revisions' in the title.
Need to get in touch?
Contact a member of our team for more information.
Amber Reinecke, 512-919-5169