A 1978 survey of 42 states found that 37 recognized certain attributes of gifted and talented students including intellectual giftedness, performing/visual arts, academics, creativity, leadership, and cultural diversity. The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act supports gifted students but does not fund local programs. It provides grants to develop models to serve underrepresented students and support state and local efforts to improve services. Gifted students need support from teachers and families, with lessons tailored to their abilities. Texas requires 30 hours of professional development in gifted education for those teaching gifted students.

1. by: Connie Greer, Erica Klein, and Allene Moore

2. A survey was completed in 1978 showing out of 42 states 37 responded with the recognition of certain attributes to the gifted and talented: Intellectually gifted Performing and visual arts Academically gifted Creatively gifted Leadership and specific academic area Cultural diversity

3. This act supports students that are gifted and talented and does not fund local gifted education programs. There are two priorities for grants for the Jacob Javits program: Initative to develop and scaled models to serve students who are underrepresented in the gifted and talented program. To support state and local efforts to improve services for students.

4. Gifted and Talented students need support from teachers, and their families. The teacher will compact lesson on a day to day basis as needed and will modify the scope and sequence with universal design, the students’ I.E.P.’s or the students individual program.

5. Gifted and talented students means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment.

6. Student possessing outstanding imagination, thinking ability, innovative or creative reasoning ability, ability in problem solving, and/or high attainment in original or creative thinking

7. Possessing the natural ability to influence others; possessing skills in interpersonal relationships demonstrated, for example, by outstanding ability in such activities as student government

8. Possessing superior ability or potential in a specific course of study such as English language arts/reading, mathematics, science, or social studies

9. Teacher must provide gifted and talented children with an array of appropriately challenging learning experiences in each of the four (4) foundation curricular areas is provided for gifted/talented students in grades K-12, and parents are informed of the opportunities. Opportunities are provided to accelerate in areas of student strengths

10. Gifted/talented curriculum is designed and evaluated through collaboration by specialists in content areas, instructional techniques, and gifted/talented education.

11. Teachers, administrators, and counselors who work with gifted students or have authority for making program decisions will have training in understanding the nature of giftedness and the needs of gifted students.

12. Texas requires that teachers of the gifted and talented are required to complete thirty (30) clock hours of professional development in gifted education.

13. Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students Revised September 2009, Texas Education Agency Turnbull, Ann; Turnbull, Rud; and Wehmeyer, Michael (2009). Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today’s Schools. Prentice Hall; Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. www2.ed.gov/programs/javits/index.html www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=572