The Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC §89) states that school districts shall ensure that prior to teaching in the program, teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students have a minimum of 30 hours of staff development. The staff development must include nature and needs of gifted and talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students.

The 30 hours are divided into five days of training:

• G / T Basic I, Nature and Needs of Gifted Learners
• G / T Basic II, Assessment and Identification of Gifted Learners
• G / T Basic III, Differentiating Curriculum for Gifted Learners in the Elementary Classroom or G / T Basic III
• Differentiating Curriculum, for Gifted Learners in the Secondary Classroom
• G / T Basic IV, Critical and Creative Thinking for the Gifted Learner
• G / T Basic V, Student Products and Portfolios

These five days of professional development should be taken in sequential order. Teachers who have been newly assigned to work with G/T students but who do not have this required training must complete the 30 hour training requirement within one semester. Upon completion of the initial basic 30 hours training, teachers are expected to acquire a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in gifted education. Administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions must have a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted and talented students and program options.

Gifted and Talented Service Page

G / T Co-operative at ESC Region 12

Contact: Janet L. Smith
Title: Education Specialist
Phone: (254) 297-1128
E-mail: jlsmith@esc12.net