It's time.

It's time that advocates for the gifted students of New Jersey ask for a change in how policymakers, school leaders, educators and parents view and value gifted education in our state. Historically, gifted education has been treated as an extra program, an add-on, as a privilege rather than a right.

All gifted students in New Jersey have the right to attend schools that provide consistent and appropriate opportunities for them to achieve their maximum academic and personal potential.

The state defines gifted students as:

Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.

In addition, N.J.A.C. 6A: 8-3.1(a) 5 ii requires local district boards of education to make provisions for an ongoing K-12 identification process and provide appropriate K-12 educational services for gifted and talented students. The regulations further require the development of appropriate curricular and instructional modifications for gifted students that must address appropriate content, process, product and learning environments.

Developing appropriate curricular and instructional modifications for gifted learners require that teachers are adequately trained in gifted pedagogy. The state requires teachers to acquire endorsements so they have the skills and knowledge to teach students with other special needs and/or in areas in which they have deemed it necessary that teachers are highly qualified. Why wouldn't we expect that the teachers who are responsible for providing appropriately challenging learning experiences for our gifted students possess the same level of preparation? Why wouldn't we value our gifted students enough to ensure that the teachers providing their instruction are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet their unique needs?

I believe that we can get this done. An endorsement in gifted education in New Jersey will ensure that the teachers who are challenged with educating these very special gifted students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their needs. I think it's time. How about you?