Virginia Association for the Gifted

Recommended Changes to Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students

Approved by the VAG Board of Directors on January 28, 2007

Local Plan. 8VAC20-40-60. Local Plan.

·         The local school board and DOE, to serve as an assurance of compliance with the regulations, shall approve each school division’s local Plan for gifted education.

·         Modifications to local plans shall be submitted to DOE for reporting and approval.

·         Local plan shall provide goals for specific identification, delivery of services, curriculum/instruction, teacher preparation/on-going professional development, and parent/community involvement.

·         Service options shall include accelerative provisions at the classroom, school, and division levels for the purpose of having students learn at their own pace.

·         An add-on endorsement in gifted educations shall include a minimum of 12 hours of graduate coursework in gifted education; and shall include a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. One year of successful full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the practicum. A mentor with a valid license with an endorsement in gifted education must be assigned to the teacher.  Professional development in-service training shall be on going, comprehensive, and reflective of research-based best practices in the field of gifted education