K-12 Gifted Education Endorsement


 

To apply, please click here.

The Gifted Education Program is designed to enable both preservice students and veteran educators to complete the approved Virginia Add-on K-12 Gifted Education Endorsement which supplements most programs of studies leading to or an existing initial license in education. Students complete four courses and a practicum either via their initial student teaching experience or through a specialized gifted education practicum. Full-time employed educators may alternatively elect to teach for one year in lieu of a gifted education practicum. The course sequence is offered in separate sections both to students in initial licensure programs at the College of Education at James Madison University as well as practicing educators. The graduate level coursework is offered entirely online.

The purpose of the program of studies in Gifted Education is to prepare educators who skillfully contribute to the common good of society through competence in teaching and educational leadership in gifted education.

Who should complete this program?

Gifted teachers and administrators seeking the gifted education endorsement
Elementary classroom teachers with gifted students in their classroom
Educators seeking coursework for recertification
Parents of gifted children
Educational leaders of building and district programs
Teachers of AP, Honors, and Dual-enrollment courses

All children are entitled to educators who are knowledgeable, enlightened, and competent, including our advanced and gifted learners. Only competent and knowledgeable educators can provide the necessary environment for the realization of the unique potentials of pre-K-grade 12 gifted students in all areas of academic, artistic, creative, and intellectual endeavors. Without educational leaders, counselors, teachers, specialists, and all other support personnel gifted learners do not reach their full potentials nor does the greater global society.

Gifted Education Program Mission and Goals

The development and implementation of gifted education initiatives further the mission of the College of Education at James Madison University by helping to prepare educators who skillfully contribute to the common good of society through competence in teaching and educational leadership in gifted education. All children are entitled to educators who are knowledgeable, enlightened, and competent, including our advanced and gifted learners. The gifted education initiatives at James Madison University evolve from a commitment to the necessary professional development of all educators in the field of gifted education. Only competent and knowledgeable educators can provide the necessary environment for the realization of the unique potentials of pre-K-grade 12 gifted students in all areas of academic, artistic, creative, and intellectual endeavors. Without educational leaders, counselors, teachers, specialists, and all other support personnel gifted learners do not reach their full potentials nor does the greater global society. Through excellence in teaching, scholarly endeavors, and outreach services the College of Education is dedicated to the following goals to further gifted education at James Madison University:

  • To provide all educators the initial personnel development necessary for the successful education, mentoring, and leadership of gifted learners.
  • To develop graduate programs that prepare gifted education specialists serving as catalysts in schools for the differentiated education of gifted learners.
  • To provide leadership training in gifted education for the on-going professional development of public and private school program administrators.
  • To infuse specialized training in gifted education to the existing high quality preservice and graduate education programs in teacher education, educational leadership, and support personnel programs.
  • To use a variety of formats for personnel preparation for the pursuit of knowledge and competence in the education of gifted learners.

Endorsement Program Course Sequence

Every university submits a DIFFERENT four course sequence to the State Department of Education for approval. JMU is one of only a few university endorsement programs that includes a practicum to students NOT enrolled in a master's degree program. You MUST seek approval to transfer credit from one university endorsement program to another. If you have specific questions, please contact the JMU program coordinator.

Required Courses

Credit Hours

Schedule

EXED 560 The Nature & Needs of Gifted Learners

3

Fall

EXED 565 Instructional Methods in Gifted Education

3

Spring

EXED 660 Curriculum Design in Gifted Education

3

Summer

EXED 665 Trends and Issues in Gifted Education

3

Summer

EXED 570 Practicum in Gifted Education

3

Fall

Endorsement Program Course Titles and Descriptions

EXED 560 The Nature & Needs of Gifted Learners (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce the historical and theoretical foundations of the field of gifted education will be discussed, including varying conceptions of giftedness. One focus of the course is the knowledge of the specific cognitive and socio-emotional developmental nature of gifted learners and the knowledge pertaining to the characteristics and related needs of gifted individuals. A second focus is the course content includes the appropriate educational services available in public and private school, as well as alternative settings.

EXED 565 Instructional Methods in Gifted Education (3 credits)

This course will include an examination of instructional models and strategies currently advocated for use with gifted learners. Course participants should develop an understanding of both the theoretical and practical implementation of the appropriate instructional approaches for gifted learners, including critical thinking, creative thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry. Participants will learn how the specific instructional strategies can contribute to developing learning environments that promote appropriate academic rigor and learner independence.

EXED 660 Curriculum Design in Gifted Education (3 credits)

This content of the course will focus on the design and development of differentiated curriculum for gifted learners. Students will learn how to adapt and modify existing curricula for gifted learners, as well as how to design new curricular materials for gifted learners through a predetermined process. Lesson and unit development will be highlighted. Students also will learn how to assess and make appropriate decisions about the suitability of curricular materials for gifted learners.

EXED 665 Issues and Trends in the Education of Gifted Learners (3 credits)

This course focuses on the traditional and current special issues related to the recognition and education of giftedness in individuals from birth through the life span. Participants will examine the critical issues facing the field of gifted child education and future directions. The primary purpose of this course is to develop in participants the knowledge, conceptual understandings, and skills to assess, identify accurately and nurture effectively giftedness in all gifted students, including those students who are typically underserved. Specific topics included in the course content are: (a) Collaboration Between Gifted and General Education; (b) The Psycho-Social Adjustment and Guidance of Gifted Learners; (c) The Plight of Underserved Populations of Gifted Learners; (d) Educational Programming Models for Gifted Education; and (e) The approaches to measurement and assessment of high abilities commonly used.

EXED 570 Practicum in Gifted Education (3 credits)*

The practicum experience is designed to provide direct experiences with gifted education programming through participation in related services. A planned and coordinated field experience will consist of a minimum o f 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with gifted students in a heterogeneously grouped (mixed ability) classroom or a homogeneously grouped (single ability) classroom . This course is offered to students who complete required endorsement coursework at JMU.

* One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in an accredited public or nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the practicum. A mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in gifted education must be assigned to the teacher .

Online Environment

Getting Started in the Online Course Environment  

The entire online portion of the course takes place through BlackBoard.  Your readings, assignments, and all other components are awaiting you online! Once you've activated your Electronic ID, you will be able to login at the JMU Blackboard site.  Upon entering the site, your gifted education course will be accessible.  In order to enter the online gifted classroom, please complete the following steps:

1. Go to https://webmail.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/fetch.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackboard.jmu.edu and type in your electronic id in the space provided at USERNAME.  Use the same password you created with your Electronic ID for BlackBoard.  If you have any problems use the BlackBoard Support link on the webpage to request assistance.

2. Upon successfully entering BlackBoard a link will appear with the course title and prefix, (e.g., EXED 565 course title, Instructional Methods in Gifted Education).

3. Click on the link and you'll enter the online course site.  You will first see the Gifted Education Online Welcome page. Follow the instructions to begin your work!

The first week of each course is dedicated to getting started and an introduction to the website.   Please remember that the hardest part of an online course is getting started.  Once you've completed the registration and e-id activation, things will be less technically challenging.  No one will suffer because of non-existent or poor technically skills; you will get through this!

Contact Information

For more information about applications, registration, or tuition costs, please contact:

JMU Outreach & Engagement

(540)568-4253

outreach@jmu.edu

For more information regarding the James Madison University College of Education Programs for Gifted Education, please contact the program coordinator:

Mary L. Slade, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Exceptional Education
JMU
MSC 6908
3125C Memorial Hall
395 S. High Street
Harrisonburg , VA 22807
(540) 568-2886 (office)
(540) 568-2829 (fax)

slademl@jmu.edu

Exceptional Education Department

College of Education Homepage