Training and Competencies of Teachers of the Gifted
In the Duke Gifted Letter article, Teaching Gifted Children: National Guidelines and State Requirements, Sarah Boone points out the following: “Since no national degree or certification requirements for gifted educators exist, all policy and funding mandates come from the state and local levels. As a result, requirements for teacher training and ongoing professional development vary widely from state to state and in many cases from district to district within a given state.”
Some teachers are naturals when it comes to teaching gifted students, intuitively understanding the individual needs of this group. Much more often, special training is required for teachers to understand how these kids think and learn, what methods and materials are available to use with them, and how to work positively with their parents. Unfortunately, many gifted programs employ teachers who have no training in gifted education.
Do you know the qualifications of the person who teaches your gifted child? Do you know where your state stands on gifted education policies?
Gifted education policies are determined by states and often individual districts. Some states or districts have specific requirements for educators to fulfill before they are allowed to teach gifted students, but most do not.
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knowledge of the origins and nature of high levels of intelligence, including creative expressions of intelligence;
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knowledge and understanding of the cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics, needs, and potential problems experienced by gifted and talented students;
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knowledge of advanced content and ideas;
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ability to develop a differentiated curriculum appropriate to meeting the unique intellectual and emotional needs and interests of gifted and talented students; and
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ability to create an environment in which gifted and talented students feel challenged and safe to explore and express their uniqueness.
While these competencies are very important, they also are vague.
NAGC also has developed Pre-K–Grade 12 Gifted Program Standards and NAGC-CEC (NCATE) has developed Teacher Preparation Standards. These sets of standards offer guidelines for states, districts, and universities to provide minimal and exemplary preparation of teachers and of programs to meet the needs of gifted students.
For more information on your state's standards regarding gifted education click here.