Professional Development

30-Hour Training Requirement
Section 4.1.1C, Professional Development: " A minimum of thirty (30) clock hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, identification and assessment of gifted/talented students' needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted/talented students is required for teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district's defined gifted/talented services. Teachers are required to have completed the thirty (30) hours of professional development prior to their assignment to the district's gifted/talented services (19 TAC 89.2(1))."

Section 4.1.2C, Professional Development: Teachers without required training who are assigned to provide instruction and services that are part of the district's defined gifted/talented services are required to complete the thirty (30) hour training within one semester (19 TAC 89.2(2))."

6 Hour Update Requirement
Section 4.2C, Professional Development: “Teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district's defined gifted/talented services receive a minimum of six (6) hours annually of professional development in gifted/talented education that is related to state teacher education standards (19 TAC 89.2(3) and TAC 233.1).”

6 Hour Administrator and Counselor Requirement
Section 4.3C, Professional Development: “Administrators and counselors who have authority for service decisions are required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and service options for gifted/talented students (19 TAC 89.2(4)).”

Professional Development Activities
Section 4.4C, Professional Development: "Evaluation of professional development activities for gifted/talented education is ongoing and related to state teacher education standards, and the results of the evaluation are used in making decisions regarding future staff development plans (19 TAC 89.5 and TAC 233.1)."

Gifted Endorsement
Prior to September 1, 2005 certified Texas teachers could take four courses and a practicum in gifted and talented education from an approved college or university program and, after successful completion of the program requirements, candidates could submit a request to include the Gifted Endorsement on their teaching certificate.

TExES Certification in Gifted Education
This is a supplemental educator certification issued by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). Only educators with an initial Texas educator certificate can receive the supplemental certificate. Beginning September 1, 2004, candidates must pass the Gifted Education TExES examination #162 to receive their certification.

While the TExES Certification was originally intended to be mandatory (requiring that all teachers serving gifted students take the exam), the SBEC ruled in May 2005 that it is to remain an optional certification. The minimum requirement remains the initial 30 hours required by the Texas State Plan.

TExES - Texas State Board for Educator Certification

Preparation Manual for G/T TExES

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