National Standards in Gifted and Talented Education

Ensuring that highly able learners are recognized and subsequently served through systematic programming is of the highest priority. All teachers must be able to recognize a high-ability student who needs more depth and complexity in instruction or may need a referral for further assessment and services. Teachers in specialized programs for gifted learners or those who coordinate gifted and talented programs and services should be familiar with the theory, research, curriculum strategies, and educational practices necessary to develop and sustain high quality classroom-based opportunities for advanced student learning.

National standards for specializedprograms and services, for gifted education teacher preparation,knowledge and skills for all teachers, and advanced standards in teacher preparationwill help guide and improve teaching and deepen student learning.

Pre-K to Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards

National programming standards assist school districts in examining the quality of their programs and services for gifted learners. Recognizing that the ongoing evaluation and re-tooling of a successful gifted program is an evolutionary process, the NAGC Pre-K-Grade 12 Programming Standards detail a framework that focuses on student outcomes. Districts use the program standards both as mileposts for improving programs and services and as rubrics for evaluation. The standards have been endorsed by The Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC-TAG).

  • Learn more about thegifted programming standards.
  • Download the programming standards.

Knowledge & Skill Standards in G/T Education for All Teachers

It is critical that all teachers are able to recognize a high-ability student who may need more depth and complexity in instruction or be referred for further assessment and services. However, few general teacher preparation programs provide instruction on the needs of gifted and talented students, and as a result, the majority of teachers in classrooms today have not been trained to meet the learning needs of these students.

  • Read thestandard for all teachers.

Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education

National standards for gifted education teacher preparation programs reflect what the field of gifted education, led by NAGC, determines is essential for gifted education specialists to know and be able to do. The standards are the foundation for the knowledge and skills in which teacher candidates in gifted education demonstrate competency and also are used as part of the national accreditation process through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

  • Read the teacher preparation standards.Learn more about theNAGC-CEC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education.
  • Read more about using the standards as part of aCAEP program report.

Advanced Standards in Gifted Education Teacher Training

Many educators in gifted education continue their professional growth toward mastery of advanced professional standards to help prepare them for leadership roles in gifted education. The Advanced Standards lay out the knowledge and skills that teachers in gifted education should master as part of their preparation for advanced professional practice.

  • Read theadvanced standards.