Parents of children ages 7 to 13: We are recruiting participants for a research study on how children solve new kinds of reasoning test questions. Students will complete a spatial thinking test and answer questions about how they solved the problems. Total participation is 90 minutes on one day.
Participating students will receive $50 virtual gift card in compensation for their time.
This study is being conducted by Drs. Joni Lakin and Kaiwen Man of the University of Alabama. Contact Dr. Lakin at jlakin@ua.edu with questions.
To sign up, please see our study scheduling site:
https://www.signupgenius.com/…/5080A49AEA92BA6FF2…
About GETDO
The mission of UA’s Gifted Education and Talent Development Office (GETDO) is to enable students, regardless of their background or circumstances, to fully realize their academic talent and pursue careers aligned with their talents and interests. Our office seeks to improve the services provided to students with exceptional academic potential through research, preparing teachers and educators, and through community-engaged scholarship related to creativity-infused STEM education. The office housed within the College of Education, includes gifted education research efforts, online graduate programs, professional development, and opportunities to engage with local, national, and international stakeholders.
Office Leadership
Dr. Jennifer L. Jolly (PhD, Baylor University) is director of the Gifted Education and Talent Development Office at the University of Alabama and professor in the College of Education. She also holds an honorary professorship at the University of New South Wales. Her experience with gifted education spans over 20 years, beginning as a classroom teacher in Texas. She has held faculty positions in gifted education at Louisiana State University and the University of New South Wales (Australia). Currently, she co-edits the Journal for Education of the Gifted. Her research interests include parents of gifted children, homeschooling gifted and advanced learners, the history of gifted education, and Australian gifted education.
Dr. Joni Lakin (PhD, The University of Iowa) is an associate professor of Educational Studies (ESPRMC) and focuses on educational measurement, including test validity and fairness in gifted and talented identification. She is a co-author of the Cognitive Abilities Test® (Form 8) and explores how ability tests can increase the diversity of students identified for gifted and talented programs. She also conducts research and evaluation in STEM education to promote STEM retention and student diversity along the academic pipeline.
Dr. Kristen N. Lamb (PhD, University of North Texas) is an assistant professor in the College of Education at the University of Alabama. Previously, she was a classroom teacher which she continues to use to inform her research as well as her work with other classroom teachers. She studies equity issues in advanced and accelerated academics, the role of creativity in the talent development of high ability students, and classroom conditions conducive to developing creative thinking and advanced academic achievement.
Evaluation & Professional Learning
Our team offers a range of services aimed at improving educational outcomes for gifted and talented students, the educators who work with advanced learners, and families who are seeking to better understand their child’s development. We have worked with schools and organizations nationally and internationally, bringing a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience to any evaluation project or professional learning needs.
Professional Learning
- STEM for Gifted and Talented Learners
- Parent Workshops
- Addressing Underrepresentation
- Identification of Gifted and Talented Students
- Curriculum Development
- Creativity
Evaluation Services
- Grant Evaluation
- School and District Programming and Services Evaluation
- Equity Audits
For more information about tailored evaluation services or professional learning, please contact Dr. Jennifer Jolly (jljolly1@ua.edu)
ONLINE GIFTED EDUCATION @
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Alabama’s Leading Graduate Program in Gifted and Talented Education
Programs Offered:
- Add-on Gifted Certification (Alabama)
- MA in Gifted Education
- EdS in Gifted Education
- EdD in Special Education/Gifted Education Track
- PhD in Special Education/Gifted Education
The University of Alabama’s College of Education offers courses leading to certification to teach gifted and talented students. These programs are offered exclusively online (except the PhD program) and emphasis is placed on experiences that will lead to an understanding of the learning needs of students who are gifted and talented, application of a variety of instructional models, and differentiated educational programs while working in your own school.
Programs include:
*Add-on Gifted Certification (Alabama)
*MA in Gifted Education
*EdS in Gifted Education
*EdD in Special Education/Gifted Education Track
*PhD in Special Education/Gifted Education
We now offer anEdD in Special Education with a concentration in Gifted Education is now available exclusively online through UAOnline. This degree is ideal for those for educational leaders seeking to bridge the research to practice gap. For more information about the EdD degree please reach out to Dr. Lucy Bernard-Brak (lbarnardbrak@ua.edu).
For program information, please see:
UA Online & Department of Special Education, Gifted Education Program
Contact Information:
Gifted Education Program Director, Dr. Jennifer L. Jolly (jljolly1@ua.edu) OR UA Online directly.
Gifted Education Core Course Offerings:
Fall Term
SPE 581: Psychology of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth
SPE 583: Creative Problem Solving Seminar
SPE 589: Internship in Gifted and Talented (completed in own classroom)
Spring Term
SPE 582: Teaching the Gifted and Talented
SPE 584: Special Populations in Gifted Education
SPE 589: Internship in Gifted and Talented (completed in own classroom)
Summer Term
SPE 585: Teaching Thinking Skills: Integrating Programs
SPE 586: Social Emotional Need of Gifted Students (elective)
Praxis Information
The Alabama State Board of Education has set the passing score for the Gifted Education Praxis at 157.
ETS offers the Praxis, please follow the link for more information. https://praxis.ets.org/test/5358.html
A study guide is also provided to help you prepare for the exam. We strongly suggest reviewing this guide before taking the exam. (https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-ets-praxisLibrary/default/pdfs/5358.pdf).
CHECKLISTS
Scientific Research and Education Network (SciREN) Alabama
SciREN was founded by marine science graduate students at the University of North Carolina who wanted to share their research with school children who would be motivated by learning about scientific research in their own community. The network has expanded to multiple institutions and states, and in Spring 2021, researchers at the University of Alabama and the Alabama Water Institute (AWI) will host the inaugural SciREN Alabama program, fostering active collaborations between AWI researchers and regional K-12 educators. For more information reach out to Dr. Joni Lakin (jlakin@ua.edu).
Journal for the Education of the Gifted
The Journal for the Education of the Gifted offers information and research on the educational and psychological needs of gifted and talented children. Devoted to excellence in educational research and scholarship, the journal acts as a forum for diverse ideas and points of view on gifted education, counseling, and parenting. As an internationally distributed journal committed to the analysis and communication of knowledge and research on gifted children, the journal acts as a highly respected voice for those involved with gifted and talented children.
The Journal for the Education of the Gifted is the official publication of The Association for the Gifted (a division of the Council for Exceptional Children). This respected journal reports the latest research findings on topics such as: the characteristics of gifted children, evaluating effective schools for gifted children, gifted children with learning disabilities, the history of gifted education, and building successful gifted and talented programs. The Journal for the Education of the Gifted publishes articles that present: original research with practical relevance to the education of the gifted and talented, theoretical position papers, descriptions of innovative programming and instructional practices for the gifted and talented based on existing or novel models of gifted education, reviews of the literature in areas pertinent to the education of the gifted and talented, and historical perspectives.
Co-Editors: Dr. Jennifer L. Jolly, University of Alabama & Dr. Jennifer H. Robins, Baylor University
For more information about the journal or to submit a manuscript: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jeg
For information on upcoming Special Issues, also see the journal’s webpage.
Contact email: JEG@ua.edu
Gifted Education Resources
THESE SELECTED RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED TO HELP PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS SEEKING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION. THIS IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST AND IS INTENDED AS A STARTING POINT.
CONTACT GETDO
Add CONTACT form
GETDO Affiliate Faculty
University of Alabama
- Lucy Barnard-Brak (Special Education and Multiple Abilities/College of Education)
- Andre Denham (Graduate School/College of Education)
- Marissa Filderman (Special Education and Multiple Abilities/College of Education)
- Jeff Gray (Computer Science/College of Engineering/Honors College)
- Erin Harrell (Psychology/College of Arts and Sciences)
- Mike S. Gremillion (Global Water Security Center)
- Peter Hlebowitsh (College of Education)
- Russel A. Matthews (Management/College of Business)
- Robin McWilliam (Special Education and Multiple Abilities/College of Education)
- June Preast (Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, & Counseling/College Education)
- Leigh Terry (Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering/College of Engineering)
- Matthew Therrell (Geography/College of Arts and Sciences)