Gifted Endorsement
Dr. Haley Livingston
Professional Learning/GaTAPP Coordinator
hlivingston@okresa.org
Table of Contents
The Gifted In-Field Endorsement is designed to train local candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This three-course endorsement program ensures that graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery and coverage. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.90 GIFTED IN-FIELD EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.
Description
All offered endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. According to GaPSC Rule 505-3-.01, Endorsements are, “A planned sequence of courses and experiences, typically of three (3) to four (4) courses in length, designed to provide certified educators with an additional, specific set of knowledge and skills, or to expand and enhance existing knowledge and skills. Successful completion of an endorsement program results in the addition of the endorsement field to the Georgia educator certificate.”
All endorsements and programs have job-embedded practice. Candidates must ensure that they can accomplish the clinical practice required for each endorsement or program, which will require working with students and staff, as applicable. Endorsement coursework is the equivalent of graduate level college coursework.
Program Overview
The Gifted In-Field Endorsement is designed to train local candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This 3 course endorsement program ensures that graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework and applied field experiences; content knowledge will be integrated across courses to help ensure mastery and coverage. This program abides by and provides expertise in accordance with PSC rule 505-3-.90 GIFTED IN-FIELD EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.
The courses in the Gifted Endorsement are below and must be completed in sequence.
- Characteristics of Gifted Students
- Assessment of Gifted Students
- Curriculum & Differentiation for the Gifted Student
Endorsement courses are not self-paced courses. There are scheduled online sessions and regular due dates for assignments throughout the courses. In order to successfully complete the course, all assignments must be submitted by the course deadline date. Failure to complete a course will delay candidates completion of the endorsement by one year.
Course Substitution:
In order to substitute a course into an endorsement sequence, the following guidelines must be met:
- The course must have been completed from a Georgia Professional Standards approved program within the past 5 years.
- The candidate must have received a satisfactory grade/evaluation in the course. A satisfactory grade from a college course is at least a B.
- The candidate must submit a complete course syllabus and transcript (or other proof of completion) to the Professional Learning Coordinator upon acceptance into the endorsement program.
- The course syllabus must demonstrate that the same standards were covered in the course as are covered in the Okefenokee RESA endorsement course.
- No more than 1 course may be substituted in the endorsement program.
The Course Substitution Form (located in the Resources section below) must be submitted with the endorsement application. Course substitutions will not be accepted once the endorsement has begun.
Required Texts
The selected texts are teacher handbooks. They will support not only the learning of the course, but build capacity to create high quality assessments and programs for students.
Characteristics of Gifted Students
Winebrenner, S. (2018) Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom – Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use (Updated 4th Edition) ISBN: 978-1631983726
Click here to purchase.
Assessment of Gifted Students
Coil, C. & Merrit, D. (2011). Solving the Assessment Puzzle. Pieces of Learning. (Revised Edition) ISBN: 978-1934358870
Click here to purchase.
Curriculum & Differentiation for Gifted Students
Heacox, D., Cash, R.M. (2020). Differentiation for Gifted Learners (Revised & Updated Third Edition). ISBN: 978-163198-432-7
Click here to purchase.
Admissions Requirements
- Currently employed in a school system
- Posses a valid, level 4 or higher Professional certificate in any teaching field
- Completed three years of successful teaching experience
- Not be involved in extra-curricular activities that would inhibit his/her ability to attend class on time and to complete assignments on time.
- Have the recommendation of his/her Principal and system Gifted Coordinator
** It is strongly recommended that candidates in endorsement programs are not enrolled in any other college programs during the endorsement.
Tuition
Characteristics of Gifted Students:
- $250 plus cost of books – OK RESA systems
- $350 plus cost of books – non-OK RESA systems
Assessment of Gifted Students:
- $250 plus cost of books – OK RESA systems
- $350 plus cost of books – non-OK RESA systems
Curriculum and Differentiation for Gifted Students
- $400 plus cost of books – OK RESA systems
- $500 plus cost of books – non-OK RESA systems
**OK RESA Endorsement programs are not eligible for 1098-T forms because they are certification programs and not degree programs. We advise all candidates to consult with their tax advisor.
Application Process
Prior to applying for the Gifted Endorsement, please read the “Endorsement Program Orientation and Application” located in the Resources Section below.
To be approved for an endorsement program, submit the following:
- Completed application (be sure sections 1 – 4 are complete and signed)
- Copy of Teaching Certificate
- Completed OK RESA Endorsement Agreement