1. Initial Requirements: In order to be qualified to teach GT students, teachers are required to complete a total of 30 hours of professional development. Teachers must complete 6 hours in each of the following strands:

• Nature and Needs of the Gifted
• Social Emotional Development of the Gifted
• Identification and Assessment of the Gifted
• Creativity and Instructional Strategies for Teaching the Gifted
• Differentiating Curriculum for the Gifted

Teachers should have completed these hours before being assigned GT students. However, those hired late have until the end of the first semester to complete the training. Documentation of the 30 hours must be on file in the Gifted and Talented Program office.

2. Update Requirements: Teachers must complete 6 hours of update training each year they teach GT students. The update hours may be completed in any strand. Documentation of this training must be on file in the Gifted and Talented Program office.

Counselors and Administrators
Administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions (including scheduling, advising, and especially serving on the Campus Selection Committee), must have a minimum of 6 hours of professional development that includes:

• Nature and Needs of GT Students
• Program Options for GT Students

Documentation must be on file in the Gifted and Talented Program office.

Documentation:
All Gifted and Talented professional development must be approved by the Gifted and Talented Coordinator. Documentation of GT professional development completed outside of Fort Bend ISD (if you did not register through the FBISD Staff Development web site) must submitted to the Gifted and Talented Office for credit to be awarded.

Gifted and Talented Certification
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) has a TExES test available for GT called Gifted and Talented Supplemental (162). This certification does not replace the 30 hour foundation training mandated by state law. More information is available through SBEC www.sbec.state.tx.us and TExES www.texes.ets.org

Please keep the original certificates from ALL professional development you attend. It is your professional responsibility to be able to document the training you have completed.