Gifted & Talented

The BYU-Public School Partnership's gifted and talented committee has developed an endorsement (licensure) program for teachers who want to teach gifted and talented classes in Utah. This endorsement program has been designed to meet Utah State Office of Education (USOE) teacher licensing standards as outlined by Utah's State Policies and Procedures Manual, which governs teacher licensure in Utah. This 2-year program has been developed around current literature on identification and assessment techniques, widely approved teaching practices,  instructional strategies, and theories of creativity for use in working with gifted and talented  children in  public schools                                                                           

Purpose

This endorsement program is designed to develop three types of knowledge: declarative, procedural, and contextual. Participants will become knowledgeable and skilled not only in their understanding of current information on teaching gifted children (i.e., historical development of gifted and talented programs, current practices and procedures in identifying and teaching gifted children, etc.), but also in applying that knowledge in clinical and practical teaching experiences in working with gifted children.

Program

The endorsement program requires candidates to complete 16 semester hours of study and practica, including seven different courses. All courses and practica meet Utah State Office of Education (USOE) standards as well as standards set by national organizations related to teaching  gifted youth. 

All candidates must apply to be accepted into this program. To be accepted they must have a valid teaching license in elementary, secondary, or special education, along with teaching experience. Candidates register for courses in this program through the BYU Division of Continuing Education using 515R course numbers.

Licensure Procedure

Once a candidate has successfully completed the required courses, practica, and electives, an application for the endorsement will be prepared by the district representative of the gifted and talented committee, and a letter will be prepared by the CITES office verifying that the candidate has completed the necessary courses and requirements for the endorsement. For this licensure application, candidates must provide the following:

• An official transcript (NOT a photocopy) from any institution where they took the approved courses for the endorsement, or where they received their bachelor's degree--with the gifted and talented courses highlighted
• A check written to "USOE—Teacher Licensure" for an amount to be determined when the endorsement is requested
• The candidate's current address and Social Security number

These materials will then be sent, along with the letter from the CITES office, to the USOE Licensing Division. A 14–16-week time period is usually required to process the request.

For more information contact: Moya Kessig, Curriculum Coordinator, moya.kessig@schools.utah.gov

 Licensure Application

Complete the following as you apply for any gifted and talented endorsement:

1.  Print the Endorsement Form - PDF.

2.  Place the appropriate course number in each designated box to indicate that the minimum requirement in each area has been met.  Each box must have a course number to indicate that the requirement has been satisfied.

3.  Provide one of the following lines of evidence:

           a.  Approved professional development
           b.  University or college course work
           c.  Evidence of demonstration of competency 

4.  Send the letter of verification  from the CITES Office, along  with the highlighted transcript,  processing fee, and completed form to