Gifted Endorsement Program
This On-line Gifted Endorsement Program, approved by PDE, will utilize 80% asynchronous online work and 20% synchronous virtual face-to-face events that will engage participants with highly qualified instructors. The program is designed to increase the level of knowledge, expertise and understanding of educators working with students who are gifted. The endorsement is intended to raise awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, other challenges and issues associated with students who are gifted. Participants in the program will examine and develop expertise in the historical, state and national trends, policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate academic curriculum, differentiation strategies, current best practice, educational interventions and support for this diverse population.
Google Classroom will be utilized for these on-line blended learning courses. Several assignments will be job-embedded and participants will use the time during synchronous meetings to share results from these experiences. Participants will also be expected to post reflections to assignments, as well as comment on cohort posts.
Participants are required to have an existing Level I or Level II Certificate to enroll in the program.
Participants will receive 3 CPE credits from Seneca Highlands IU9 . Below are the four courses, the dates they will be held and the description of each course.
Participants will be eligible to apply to PDE for the Gifted Endorsement as long as they maintain a Grade of c or better throughout the program.
Course 1- Foundations of Gifted Education
January 9th, 2023 - April 11th, 2023
3 Graduate Credits
In this course participants will learn the relevant history of the changing definitions, interventions, and cultural attitudes regarding gifted learners and their relationship to educational services. Participants will be able to explain the relevance, importance, and application of state and federal documents, regulations and reports and to articulate the importance of collaboration and communication with all interested stakeholders. Participants will also be able to provide information on and advocate for gifted individuals and services to professional staff, parents and the community and to identify and locate organizations and materials that will present current data, resources and pedagogy for gifted education.
Course 2 - Identification and Assessment
August 14th, 2023 - Dec 8th, 2023
3 Graduate Credits
In this course participants will learn to recognize diverse characteristics and behaviors of gifted individuals by understanding their social and emotional needs and the impact of cultural differences. Participants will be able to understand cognitive and affective differences and recognize and understand the potential of creative thinking. Participants will also develop an understanding of multiple and alternative assessments that can be used for identification purposes and how these assessments align to academic needs within the educational placement.
Course 3 - Service Delivery Options
January 10, 2023 - May 7, 2023
January 8th, 2024 - April 12th, 2024
3 Graduate Credits
In this course participants will learn the use of instructional models and classroom services based on research and current literature on gifted education with a gifted child. Participants will develop an understanding of facilitating the use of different organizational options for gifted services that provide enrichment, acceleration, or a combination of both in a school setting. Participants will also understand the importance and use of measurable individualized plans, how to utilize on-going district data to determine alignment between student ability, and how to utilize different student grouping options. Finally, participants will learn how to promote the intellectual leadership of students who are educationally, economically and culturally disenfranchised, as well as how to accept and respect different cultural backgrounds.
January 10, 2023 - May 7, 2023 -Click Here to Register-
January 8th, 2024 - April 12th, 2024 -Click Here to Register-
Course 4 - Curriculum Design and Strategies in the Classroom
August 24, 2023- December 9, 2023
August 19th, 2024 - Dec 13th, 2024
3 Graduate Credits
In this course participants will learn how to select and use data from a variety of assessments to inform instructional decision-making to meet the needs of individual students. Participants will design differentiated learning plans/curricula for gifted learners in a school setting. Participants will learn how to select appropriate curriculum resources, strategies, products and service options that respond to cultural, cognitive, and affective differences among gifted and advanced learners. Additionally, participants will integrate academic and career guidance experiences, demonstrate knowledge of questioning techniques that facilitate higher-level learning and enhance critical and creative thinking, understand and implement flexible grouping practices and use best practice models in lesson development and instruction. Finally, participants will be able to design learning opportunities that foster the development of self-awareness, positive peer relationships, intercultural experiences, self-efficacy, lifelong learning, self-advocacy and leadership.
August 24, 2023- December 9, 2023 -Click Here to Register-
August 19th, 2024 - Dec 13th, 2024 -Click Here to Register-
For more information contact Cindy Murphy - cmurphy@iu9.org - 814-887-5512
