GEFN Gifted Education Family Network

How Will AI Change Gifted Education?

Selcuk Acar, PhD University of North Texas Since the release of ChatGPT and Google Bard (now Gemini), it has become difficult to dismiss the news, debates, and controversies surrounding AI and its significant impact on many aspects of our lives. AI is poised to continue growing in influence as its power and areas of applicationContinue reading “How Will AI Change Gifted Education?”

Texas GT FAQ by GEFN: Do We Have To Follow ALL of the State Plan?

We are fortunate to live in one of the states that requires both identification and services for GT students. In Texas, all public school districts must determine which students need GT services, and districts must offer those GT services to qualifying students in grades K-12 during the school day and throughout the school year. TexasContinue reading “Texas GT FAQ by GEFN: Do We Have To Follow ALL of the State Plan?”

Ask a Trustee: How Can School Boards Support GT?

Every Texas school district has a school board, and each school board is made up of elected Trustees who volunteer their time (unpaid) to make significant decisions for school districts. School boards must vote on issues like purchasing district property, contracts, bonds, the district budget, local school tax rates, and policies that guide the districtContinue reading “Ask a Trustee: How Can School Boards Support GT?”

Texas GT FAQ by GEFN:

We Moved Districts. Will My Child Keep GT Services? Parents sometimes contact us and ask: after my family moves to a new school district, will my child continue to receive GT services? The answer depends on the decisions and policies of the new school district, but we can provide you with information to help youContinue reading “Texas GT FAQ by GEFN: “

So, My Child Accelerated. Now What?

Over the past decade, in the field of gifted education, significant time and resources have been devoted to publicizing the benefits of academic acceleration. Overall, research strongly supports both the short- and long-term benefits of acceleration for students who demonstrate readiness and who meet certain criteria. But what happens when problems develop later on, eitherContinue reading “So, My Child Accelerated. Now What?”

Parent Advocacy in the Development of Black Male Scholars and Scholar-Ballers: a Panel Discussion for Building on Resilience: Models and Frameworks of Black Male Success Across the P-20 Pipeline

In November 2021, the Gifted Education Family Network partnered with the Minority Achievement, Creativity, and High-Ability Center (MACH-III) for an incredible panel discussion on parent advocacy for gifted and high-ability Black males. Watch the recording and learn more about the research on this subject and about the lived experiences of the panelists.

New! Discussing Racism with Gifted Children – shared from NAGC

For help discussing racism and bias with gifted children, please see “Discussing Racism with Gifted Children” from the September issue of Parenting for High Potential, a publication of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Article linked below and shared with permission from NAGC. Many thanks to NAGC and the authors for making this importantContinue reading “New! Discussing Racism with Gifted Children – shared from NAGC”

Letter to TEA Commissioner: Requesting GT inclusion in TEA district guidance for Fall 2020

August 3, 2020 Commissioner Mike Morath, Texas Commissioner of EducationDeputy Commissioner Matthew Montano, Special PopulationsNiloy Gangopadhyay, Director of Special PopulationsMonica Brewer, Statewide Coordinator, Gifted/Talented Education COVID-19 SupportTexas Education Agency1701 N. Congress AvenueAustin, Texas, 78701 Dear Commissioner Morath, As representatives of families with children who require Gifted and Talented services across the state of Texas, weContinue reading “Letter to TEA Commissioner: Requesting GT inclusion in TEA district guidance for Fall 2020”

Article: “But how will we serve them now?” By Meredith Austin, Ed.D.

With some certainty emerging about the “look” of Texas public schools next year, gifted education leaders must review current practices, adapt our models, and ensure that each of our students learns something new every day. Click here to read the full article on Medium.com

NEW! Free Parent Resource on Full Grade Acceleration

Get the PDF “Most parents have heard of ‘skipping grades.’ They may not know, however, that research recommendations can help educators and parents determine whether a grade skip – also called full grade acceleration – may be in a student’s best interest. What does research tell us about this practice, and how does this researchContinue reading “NEW! Free Parent Resource on Full Grade Acceleration”

Black Families Matter

The leaders of the Gifted Education Family Network (GEFN) are devastated by the recent and senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. We recognize that the events of the past month do not exist in isolation. We condemn unjust practices and policies that historically have harmed, endangered, and oppressed Black families inContinue reading “Black Families Matter”