The Gifted Endorsement Program consists of four courses offered through a blended format of face-to-face and online classes. The program is aligned with the Revised NAGC Pre-K-12 Gifted Programming Standards
Course I – Foundations of Gifted Education 2 PLUs Goals:
1. To understand the historical parallels and development of educational programming for gifted learners
2. To understand the current views and practices of gifted education leaders at the national, state, and local levels
3. To understand the necessity of identifying and serving gifted learners in their areas of strength
Course 2 – Identifying the Learning Characteristics of the Gifted 5 PLUs Goals:
1. To recognize characteristics of gifted learners
2. To accurately apply Georgia's multiple criteria in order to make appropriate service recommendations for gifted learners
3. To accurately identify the needs of gifted learners through various means of assessment
Course 3 – Developing Potential in Gifted Learners 5 PLUs Goals:
1. To select and/ or create appropriate strategies for developing the advanced potential of gifted learners
2. To develop a curriculum unit based on a design model which encourages the development of advanced potential in gifted learners
Course 4 - Program Development 3 PLUs Goals:
1. To develop, implement, and evaluate a program for gifted learners at the classroom level
2. To design a program and an evaluation of that program for gifted learners at the school level
Completion of the endorsement earns a total of 15 PLUs. Attendance at all class meetings is required.
• Systems desiring to offer an endorsement cohort in their own system should contact Susan Proctor or Tara Elrod at Pioneer RESA for further information.
• All four courses must be completed in the order listed above to apply for Gifted In-Field Endorsement.
• This endorsement must be completed within two years of beginning the program.
• Candidates are required to have access to required books (whether through purchase or using a colleague's). There are also a number of articles that candidates must download.
• Eligibility requirements: Clear renewable Georgia teaching certificate, three years of teaching experience, employed by a Georgia school system, and recommendations of local professional learning director/coordinator and building level administrator.
• Each course has required reading and appropriate assignments, field experiences, and exams.