Preparing Teachers To Develop and Enhance Talent: The Position of National Education Organizations.

Overview & Synopsis

This report discusses the place of preservice and inservice teacher education in the needs of gifted children, outlines the role of the gifted education specialist, and discusses the competencies that gifted education specialists should have. It begins by providing a joint statement of core beliefs and goals related to giftedness and the preparation of educators by the Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association for Gifted Children. A discussion follows that advocates the need to prepare general education teachers for teaching gifted students and provides a list of competencies that pre-service teachers should gain during their preparation. The report also emphasizes the need for on-going staff development for all classroom teachers in gifted education. The report closes with a definition of gifted education specialists and recommended competencies and roles of such specialists, including providing direct instruction to an individuals student or groups of students, acting as a consultant to regular classroom teachers and administrators, and acting as a liaison to families and the community regarding programs and services for gifted students. A chart delineates these three roles of the gifted education teacher (teacher, consultant, and liaison) and lists effective characteristics of a gifted education specialist. (CR)