According to the Texas Administrative Code §89.2., (1) prior to assignment in the program or within one semester of assignment, teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted/talented students have a minimum of 30 hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted/talented students; (2) teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted/talented students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional learning in gifted/talented education; and (3) administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional learning that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options with an update after legislative sessions.  In Jarrell ISD this includes classroom teachers who provide services for gifted learners, STEM, AP, and Dual Credit teachers. 

The 30 clock hours required by the State of Texas include 6 hours of each of the following topics:   

• Nature and Needs of the Gifted & Talented Learner  

• Identification and Assessment of the Gifted Students

• Differentiated Instruction for Gifted Students

• Depth and Complexity in Instruction for Gifted and Talented Learners

• Creative and Critical Thinking of Gifted Students

The Google Classroom course link for The Gifted and Talented Foundational 30-Hour Training is now available in Eduphoria. Register in Eduphoria by Tuesday, September 30, 2025. All modules for the Foundational training is due by Friday, January 23, 2026. Contact Andrew Ortiz (andrew.ortiz@jarrellisd.org) if you have any questions.

To sign up for your 2025-2026 GT Update Hours, please register in Eduphoria here. This link includes the Podcast and Book Study. 

Option 1 for 2025-26 for 6 hour G/T Update:

Listen to:

• 12 episodes of The Neurodiversity Podcast with Emily Kircher-Morris    OR 

• 12 episodes of A Meaningful Mess Podcast with Andi McNair. 

After completing each episode, use the Google form to reflect on your learning.  A separate Google form must be completed for each completed episode. The Teaching & Learning Department will verify the correct number of episodes and reflections are completed before awarding credit. 

To sign up for your 2025-2026 GT Update Hours, please register in Eduphoria here. This link both options.

Questions? Reach out to Andrew Ortiz or Dr. Tiffany Weiss.