Services to Students and their Families

Gifted Students Institute Home 7th-Grade Gifted Girls Conference 7th-Grade Gifted Boys Conference Distinguished Lecture Series Services to Educators and Their Schools Services to Students and Their Families Services for Program Development and Research Services to Increase Public Awareness of Giftedness Gifted and Talented Graduate Studies Emerging Leader Award for Gifted Youth Program Alumni

2008 TAGT Parent Conference to be held at SMU-in-Legacy - March 1, 2008

Pre-College Student Programs

Outstanding high school students who have completed the 10th and 11th grades have an opportunity to experience college life and earn six credit hours through a five-week summer program called The College Experience.

Students choose a morning class from SMU's summer session curriculum. In the afternoon, the students participate as a group in an interdisciplinary seminar taught by a distinguished member of the faculty.

The Talented and Gifted Program (TAG) is a residential summer experience that combines intellectual stimulation with a variety of cultural and social experiences. The program is open to academically talented seventh, eighth, and ninth graders.

Students participate in two courses and may choose from college credit or noncredit options. The TAG program offers enrichment and acceleration opportunities in keeping with students' scholastic abilities.

Qualified high school students also can take advantage of a number of different activities including concurrent enrollment in day or evening classes during the academic year.

Family Support Services

The giftedness of a child affects and is affected by the dynamics of family life. The Institute supports families in several ways.

Family Education in the form of one-day parenting workshops, evening short courses, and advocacy groups helps families respond more effectively to various issues related to giftedness.

Family Counseling focuses on academic assessment, problem solving, goal setting, and school placement consultation. Students and parents spend approximately five sessions with an educational counselor to resolve concerns.

Families of gifted students also have access to diagnostic services such as vocational interest and personality surveys.

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) offers Continuing Professional Education credit and Continuing Education credit for School Board members in several topical areas. Visit the TAGT website for "continuing education credits and training" to learn about these professional-development opportunities. In addition, every year the TAGT holds a state conference that addresses gifted-education issues that are of interest to parents, educators, and administrators; visit the TAGT annual conference website to learn more.