Mission
The Gifted Education Family Network of Texas supports excellence and equity in gifted education by engaging in activities in three areas: (a) connecting families who have an interest in gifted education, (b) educating and supporting families on topics related to gifted education and talent development, and (c) advocating for strong, vibrant, and appropriately challenging education programs that benefit students who demonstrate exceptional performance or the potential for exceptional performance.
Vision
We believe that every child is entitled to a public education that meets their academic needs, supports their social and emotional needs, and enables them to achieve their full potential. To accomplish this, schools should use evidence-based strategies and services, ensure implementation commensurate with learning abilities, and consider innovative approaches to identify and meet the educational needs of students with the potential for achievement above grade level expectations. We strongly support equity and diversity in gifted education identification and services, and we believe in the importance of parents and caregivers in home support, advocacy, and partnerships with schools. Through connecting, informing, and empowering families, and by partnering with educators and experts in the field of gifted education, we believe it is possible to improve gifted services, to require adequate funding, and to support best practices in meeting the above-level educational needs of students from all populations.
Priorities
Expanding our reach by providing support and connections for families and GT parent groups in all twenty Texas ESC (Education Service Center) Regions.
Providing accurate, research-based information and resources for families through our partnerships with the Baylor Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, the Minority Achievement, Creativity, and High-Ability Center (MACH-III) at Prairie View A&M University, the UNT Office for Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development, and other experts.
Supporting and engaging in advocacy at the local and state level to support and improve the services and programs needed by diverse gifted and twice-exceptional learners across Texas.
We strongly support diversity in gifted education programs.
As research on gifted learners demonstrates, districts require strong gifted services and training that enable educators, administrators, and families to meet the needs of gifted students from all populations, including gifted students from culturally, linguistically, and/or economically diverse backgrounds, gifted students in rural or urban schools, gifted students with disabilities (twice-exceptional), the highly or profoundly gifted, and gifted students who face challenges due to gender, gender identity, or orientation. We support public education, and we believe in positive partnerships between parents and educators.
Through our members and partnerships, it is our goal to promote understanding among stakeholders, including educators and policymakers, that strong gifted education programs are critical for excellence in Texas public education, critical for the future of Texas businesses, and essential to the Texas economy. Furthermore, high quality gifted programs are necessary to close the opportunity gap and to support achievement and positive outcomes for underidentified and underserved gifted students from at-risk and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are a network of families, but we welcome all caregivers, educators, and stakeholders who believe in the importance of gifted education.
We hope you will join us.
The Gifted Education Family Network is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Required disclosures available on request. To support our mission, please consider making a tax-deductible donation, sign up to support us for free while shopping through Amazon Smile, or check out one of our fundraisers.
Thank you for supporting excellence and equity in Texas gifted education!
Gifted Education Family Network 