The Gifted and Talented CAGS presents education professionals the most current research and skill sets necessary to promote and develop educational reform on behalf of GTE students. Program design, development, implementation and assessment are examined. This CAGS is aligned to the Gifted and Talented Education specialization.

GTE6000 - Research and Practical Applications in Gifted and Talented Education

This course examines the nature and needs of the gifted/talented learner. It provides an overview of the characteristics of gifted students and discusses the challenges of parenting, understanding and counseling gifted children. During this course, learners will also learn strategies for identifying gifted children. Creativity and thinking skills are also addressed as central concepts in gifted education. This course is an introductory course in a sequence of courses preparing individuals to be competent in the teaching of gifted learners.

GTE6001 - Designing Services, Curriculum, and Programs for Gifted Education

Educational leaders can continue to work to achieve more challenging opportunities for all students while maintaining gifted, talented, and enrichment programs. This course examines newer directions and knowledge of how to best meet the unique needs of gifted and talented children. Future teachers, leaders, and researchers in gifted education will seek and find answers that can be embraced by all educators, community and families, and as a result, the needs of all gifted students will be more effectively met.

GTE6002 - Evaluation and Improvement of Gifted and Talented Education Programs

This course explores the basic issues in the gifted program evaluation process. Learners will examine the present theoretical and methodological models, as well as specific strategies on how to conduct gifted program evaluations effectively. Course topics include survey construction and implementation, use of focus groups, assessment of classroom practices, alignment with best practice standards, as well as strategies for synthesizing evaluation findings.

GTE6003 - Advocacy for the Gifted and Talented and Diverse Populations

Recognizing the talents and gifts of diverse students is needed in order to make positive changes that will lead to more inclusive gifted and talented education programs. This course examines the presence of diversity in gifted education as it relates to race, gender, and socioeconomic status, and presents opportunities of the advocacy for access, equity, and excellence in present and future GTE (Gifted and Talented Education) programs.

GTE6004 - Using Media and Technology with Gifted and Talented Learners

This course examines the characteristics of gifted learners that attracts them to technology and enables them to use technology to solve problems in novel ways. The course explores strategies for identifying technological giftedness, the role that technology plays in talent development, how the Internet can be used to develop talent, constructivist problem solving, and ways that teachers can evaluate technology products.

GTE6005 - Instructional Methods and Materials for Teaching Gifted and Talented

A successful gifted and talented program will provide gifted and talented students with a feeling that their giftedness and talents are recognized and valued, that their learning styles are addressed and included in the instructional planning process, and that they have some autonomy and responsibility for establishing their own educational goals. This course outlines alternative instructional methods and materials for the instruction of gifted and talented learners in order to improve the quality of existing programming.