Please note that according to TEA mandates, the following teachers are required to earn an initial 30 hours of training in gifted/talented education followed by annual 6-hour updates:

• All Kindergarten teachers
• All 1st - 5th grade teachers who teach gifted students
• All 6th grade social studies and science teachers
• All 6th - 12th grade Pre-AP and AP teachers of ELA, math, social studies, science and languages other than English

  Pre-AP and AP teachers must attend a College Board Training Institute before being assigned to a Pre-AP/AP class. 12 hours will be applied to the initial 30-hour training in the area of Creativity and Instructional Strategies, or applied toward the annual 6-hour update. The district pays for Pre-AP and AP teachers to attend such an institute once every three years. Teachers who have completed this training may be designated the "G/T cluster teacher" or Pre-AP/AP teacher for their grade/content area.

The initial 30-hour training should be earned prior to teaching gifted students. If prior training has not been obtained, the 30-hour training must be completed by December 31st or within one semester of the new-hire date. Training is offered in the summer and throughout the year. Training dates span from June 1st to May 31st each school year.

Note: Campus administrators and counselors are required to attend 6 hours of annual training in the nature and needs of gifted students and/or gifted program options.

All training must be *pre-approved by the Advanced Academics Consultant prior to attending a session. Training sessions listed on the ERO are considered pre-approved. The 30-hour training includes the following required strands:

The 6-hour annual update credit may be earned in any strand.

Pre-AP and AP teachers must attend a College Board Training Institute before being assigned to a Pre-AP/AP class. 12 hours will be applied to the initial 30-hour training in the area of Creativity and Instructional Strategies, or applied toward the annual 6-hour update. The district pays for Pre-AP and AP teachers to attend such an institute once every three years.

* Please see the attached "Out-of-District Professional
Learning Approval Form."

89.2. Professional Development.

School districts shall ensure that:

(1) prior to assignment 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 that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students;

(2) teachers without training required in paragraph (1) of this section who provide instruction and services that are part of the gifted/talented program must complete the 30-hour training requirement within one semester;

(3) teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in gifted education; and

(4) administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options.