ABSTRACT
The standards unique to the Advanced Standards include Programs, Services, and Outcomes; Research and Inquiry; and Leadership and Policy, while only the Initial Standards address Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences; Learning Environments; and Instructional Planning and Strategies. Gifted education specialists are expected to go beyond the level of creating and planning lessons; they must be able to improve programs, supports, and services at the classroom, school, committee, and systems levels. Advanced gifted education professional standards are the basis for professionally recognizing gifted education preparation programs that have demonstrated through their graduates' performance that the program successfully prepares candidates in various leadership roles in the classroom, the school district, the state, or the university levels. The Advanced Standards provide benchmarks to ensure that experienced gifted education professionals are able to practice at an accomplished level. Teacher preparation faculty may use the advanced gifted education professional standards as a guide in developing, evaluating, and improving the program.
