Part 2.
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
Chapter 89.
ADAPTATIONS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Subchapter A. GIFTED/TALENTED EDUCATION
19 TAC §89.2
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts an amendment to §89.2,
concerning gifted/talented education, with changes to the proposed text as
published in the November 26, 1999, issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg 10477). The section provides requirements
for school districts regarding professional development for teachers, counselors,
and administrators. The amendment clarifies professional development requirements
for teachers who provide services to identified students who are part of a
gifted/talented program.
Current rules on gifted/talented education have been used for two years
on District Effectiveness and Compliance (DEC) monitoring visits related to
services for students in gifted programs. More than one-half of the DEC citations
in gifted education have been related to §89.2. The amendment to §89.2
clarifies that the necessary training for teachers must occur prior to providing
services in the program. In addition, the amendment addresses the circumstance
in which a teacher without training must provide instruction as part of a
program for gifted students. In such an event, the amendment requires that
the 30-hour training be completed within one semester. By giving school districts
additional time to train new teachers to the program, it is anticipated that
the number of districts cited as being out of compliance would decrease considerably.
To provide clarity, the following editorial change has been made to the
rule since it was published.
Language has been added to paragraph (2) to cross-reference the staff development
requirement in paragraph (1).
No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.
The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §29.122,
which authorizes the State Board of Education to establish criteria under
which each school district shall adopt a process for identifying and serving
gifted and talented students in the district and shall establish a program
for those students in each grade level.
§89.2.Professional Development.
School districts shall ensure that:
(1)
prior to assignment in the program, teachers who provide
instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students
have a minimum of 30 hours of staff development that includes nature and needs
of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction
for gifted students;
(2)
teachers without training required in paragraph (1)
of this section who provide instruction and services that are part of the
gifted/talented program must complete the 30-hour training requirement within
one semester;
(3)
teachers who provide instruction and services that
are a part of the program for gifted students receive a minimum of six hours
annually of professional development in gifted education; and
(4)
administrators and counselors who have authority for
program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional development
that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been
reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's
legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on January 24, 2000.
TRD-200000441
Criss Cloudt
Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research
Texas Education Agency
Effective date: February 13, 2000
Proposal publication date: November 26, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701
Subchapter A. ACCREDITATION
Chapter 97.
PLANNING AND ACCREDITATION