29 states require a certificate/endorsement
8 states require 6-12 credit hours
15 states require 15-18 credit hours
3 states require 20 - 24 credit hours
1 state requires 30-33 credit hours
2 states require over 200 professional development hours
NJ currently requires no endorsement or certification in gifted education.
Why isn't NJ expecting more for our gifted learners?
Source: NAGC State of States Report
New Jersey requires teachers to hold endorsements in many specialized areas such as swimming, driver education, speech arts and dramatics, and family and consumer sciences, to name a few. Yet a gifted education/enrichment teacher/specialist is not required to have participated in even one single hour of professional learning in gifted education.
Researchers have found that participation in professional learning related to gifted education can increase teachers' knowledge and skills in providing appropriately challenging learning experiences for advanced learners and can foster positive attitudes toward these students.
Federal legislation has recently passed that may influence gifted education in New Jersey. The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) formerly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). For the first time, federal legislation (ESSA/ESEA) contains provisions that will support gifted and talented educaiton. The language in the new legislation specifically addresses data collection and reporting, use of professional development funds, availability of Title I funds for gifted education, and the use computer adaptive assessments.
NJ Gifted Education Survey 2018
NJAGC and the Rutgers Division of Continuing Studies recently conducted a survey of superintendents from across the state. 62 districts responded representing about 10% of the state's school districts.
Here's what the survey revealed...
71% of the responding districts were out of compliance with the NJ Administrative Code in grade levels at which students are identified or grade levels in which they are served or both.
Professional preparation of teachers of the gifted
29% of most prepared teachers of gifted had no training or less than 5 hours of PD in gifted education
51% of the teachers of the gifted had less than 20 hours of PD in gifted education
10% had a graduate certificate in gifted education
Duties of teachers of gifted include direct instruction, enrichment projects for identified students/SWE, identification process implementation, program management duties, push into classrooms to support students, coach/support and provide PD for gen ed. teachers, parent education/communication.
52% had additional teaching responsibilities unrelated to gifted education including Literacy/Math coach, STEAM/Technology, ELL coordinator, Basic Skills (multiple), Gen Ed teachers, Librarian/Media specialist (multiple), PE/Art/Music, “Other” classes depending on district needs
87% of teachers of gifted provided professional learning for general ed teachers in the form of workshops (33%) or collaboration to modify curriculum and instruction for gifted students (54%).
WE NEED ENHANCED PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS OF THE GIFTED TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND TO PROMOTE THE VALUE OF THE SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF OUR TEACHERS OF THE GIFTED.