EDUC 620 Organization and Design of Gifted Education Programs

Candidates will examine model programs for gifted students that include organizational strategies for heterogeneous and homogeneous groupings. The study will include programs that are field specific, integrated content, and extracurricular models. Strategies for securing funding for gifted programs will be explored.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

With schools struggling to build and maintain programs for special needs students, it is vital that educators understand and evaluate the models and programs in order to effectively provide for gifted students and make the most of limited budgets. Five to ten percent of all students possess exceptional gifts, talents, and abilities. These students deserve to be in a program that allows an environment for maximum growth. There are many models of instruction to choose from. Educators seeking to accommodate the gifted and talented student should be familiar with these designs in order to select the best model for the student and the model that best fits into their own school program. This course will examine the design and characteristics of program models intended for use in gifted and talented programs. The course will also examine current practices and methods of instruction as they relate to various program designs.

Assigned readings and presentations (MLO: B, C, E)

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Discussion Board Forums (4)

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be at least 400 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and reference 1 scholarly journal article. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. Each thread and reply must follow current APA format. (CLO: A, D, E)

Gifted Program Model Chart

The candidate will complete a chart on gifted programs using the provided template. Each phase of the chart must be at least 500 words and each model must include at least 2 references in current APA format. This chart will be completed in 4 phases. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Program Model Paper

The candidate will write a research-oriented paper of at least 5 pages (not including the title and reference pages) in current APA format that focuses on a specific gifted program model. The paper must include at least 5 references, including the assigned readings/websites, the Bible, and at least 3 peer-reviewed journal articles. (CLO: A, F)

Final Project

Part 1: Transcript Notes and Agenda

The candidate will prepare the transcript for the PowerPoint proposal and agenda for his/her final project.

Part 2: Gifted Leadership/Training Project

The candidate will create a PowerPoint presentation containing at least 20 slides that will be used to provide training to teachers and school systems concerning gifted education. This presentation must cite at least 5 peer-reviewed or scholarly references in current APA format and include the information presented in the course. Between the transcription/speaker’s notes and the PowerPoint, there must be a total of at least 20 citations for ideas or direct quotes. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)