The State of Iowa requires a pre-K through 12 Talented and Gifted (TAG) Endorsement for anyone designated as a teacher and/or coordinator of programs for the gifted. The TAG Endorsement allows teachers to work with gifted students of any age, even if their certification is for a specific age group. It also equips educators with the essential tools to understand gifted students' characteristics and unique needs and to promote their talents and well-being.
About the Program
When you pursue your TAG Endorsement through the Belin-Blank Center, you will benefit from the state's most flexible and varied set of course options, instruction by world-class leaders in the field at the state's center for gifted education, and a program that complies with national faculty standards and promotes both NAGC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education and Pre-K – Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards.
To earn a TAG endorsement, you must complete 12 semester hours of coursework in the area of the gifted and talented, with at least one semester hour in each of the following strands:
- Psychology of the Gifted
- Programming for the Gifted
- Administration and Supervision of Gifted Programs
- Practicum Experience in Gifted Programs
An individual applying for endorsement through the University of Iowa must have taken a minimum of one semester hour through coursework offered by the Belin-Blank Center. We strongly recommend the practicum for the credit hour, but this can be decided on a case-by-case basis.
We offer "just-in-time" learning throughout the year, designed to meet busy teachers' needs. From three-semester-hour courses, to intensive one-semester-hour focused workshops offered throughout the year, to the arranged practicum experience, educators can align their personal and professional needs and interests with state requirements. For those who prefer face-to-face interactions, our Chautauqua sessions offer a unique opportunity to earn up to six credit hours (half of the requirement!) during the summer.
Sufficient hours are available via distance learning that the endorsement can be completed without visiting the University of Iowa campus. Educators interact with others from around the country, as well as participants from other nations. All classes are provided by Distance and Online Education; distance-learning opportunities do not require either out-of-state tuition and those designated as a workshop (ending in 0WKA or something similar) do not currently have extra technology fees. The credits offered through the Belin-Blank Center, in partnership with the College of Education, can be combined with hours in gifted education earned at other institutions.
Courses are taught by experts in the field of gifted education, including Drs. Susan Assouline, Clar Baldus, Laurie Croft, and Mega Foley-Nicpon. Additional instructors selected for summer courses and workshops have classroom experience with gifted and talented youth and have advanced degrees in educational fields. Each instructor is committed to helping you develop your understanding of highly able youth and their special needs.
The Belin-Blank Center is in full compliance with NAGC's National Standards in Gifted and Talented Education including Standards for Faculty in Gifted Education Programs.
We're here to help you keep track of everything you'll have to complete. In a nutshell, you'll need to:
- Register as a University of Iowa Distance and Online Nondegree student.
- Enroll for your course(s).
- Complete 12 semester hours of coursework, including at least one credit hour per strand, including practicum. Keep track of your courses with the Program of Study for the TAG Endorsement.
- Submit your completed TAG endorsement form to educators@belinblank.org. We'll verify that you've completed everything required and send that information on to the College of Education Licensure Analyst.
- Expect to receive an email from the College of Education Office of Student Services about the necessary steps to submit your information to the State of Iowa Department of Education.
This experience will certainly allow me to begin the next step of my career with knowledge and confidence!
How to Register
First, you'll need to register with the University of Iowa, and then you'll need to register for the course(s) you'd like to take.
Register With The University Of Iowa
- Apply as a Distance Education Nondegree Student.
- Navigate to the Distance and Online Nondegree webpage, fill out the application there, and submit.
- If you have taken a course with the University of Iowa in the past year, skip to Step 3.
- The Distance and Online Nondegree link above has all the information you need to get admitted and enrolled. Please return to that link or reach out to us at doe-reg@uiowa.edu, as needed, as you navigate the admission and enrollment process.
- Set up your Hawk ID.
- Look for and respond to an email from the UI Office of Admissions with instructions. This email should arrive within 24-hours of submitting your application. Be sure to check your spam folders if you don’t see it in your inbox!
- Log in to MyUI.
- Using your HawkID and password, log in to the University of Iowa student portal, MyUI.
- Submit the Student Billing Agreement once you are logged in to MyUI.
- GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY (undergraduates skip this step): Email Anne Sparks (anne-sparks@uiowa.edu) to request to be authorized for enrollment for the semester of your course.
Register For Your Course(s)
- Log in to MyUI and navigate to the COURSES/REGISTRATION tab.
- Search for your course using the session (e.g., Fall 2019), course subject (e.g., EDTL), course number, and section number.
- When you find your course, click the Enroll button.
- If your course needs a special permission number, enter the 3-digit code now.
To Receive Graduate Credit
You must send official transcripts showing your baccalaureate (or higher) degree to:
- Office of Admissions
The University of Iowa
107 Calvin Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242-1396
OR gradmail@uiowa.edu
You must have a minimum 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale) GPA
Please note: If transcripts do not indicate a 2.5 GPA or above, you will be admitted as an undergraduate student.
Payment
Graduate student tuition rates are $560/semester hour. Undergraduate student tuition rates are $337/semester hour. You will be billed by the University of Iowa and will receive your bill at your UI email address (student-name@uiowa.edu). UBILLS ARE SENT TO YOUR UI EMAIL ONLY—no paper bills are mailed. U-Bills are available for review and payment online through MyUI. If you need assistance, please call 1-800-272-6430.
If you have questions or need assistance with registering, please reach out to Mollie Willis in the Office of Distance and Online Education at (319) 467-0110 or doe-reg@uiowa.edu.
Classes
We are pleased to offer you a wide variety of different workshops and courses that provide research-based information for understanding gifted learners and developing appropriate programming. Each corresponds to one of the educational strands necessary for the Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement and will help you develop your expertise in the NAGC-CEC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted and Talented Education. Classes also explore the NAGC Pre-K – Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards.
The Iowa Board of Regents has also allowed the University of Iowa College of Education and the Belin-Blank Center to offer Iowa Licensure Renewal Units (ILRUs). ILRUs cannot be counted for the TAG endorsement, but they can apply to relicensure and are available for specific opportunities (e.g., the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute and the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association conference).
Courses for Fall 2019
Identification of Students for Gifted Programs
PSQF:4121:0EXW/RCE:4121:0EXW
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Interpretation of standardized tests and other measurement instruments used to identify academic talent and program effectively for grades K-12; ability, aptitude, achievement tests; current issues in the uses of various instruments. (3 sh)
Doctoral students should enroll in PSQF:5226:0EXW Assessment of Giftedness.
Dates & Time: January 28, 2020 - March 27, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON
Gender Issues and Giftedness
RCE:4123:0WKA
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This course will examine the effect of gender on development of giftedness. Differential needs of girls versus boys, as well as strategies for effective teaching and gender equity will be discussed.
Instructor: Jolene Teske, Ph.D.
Dates & Time: March 23 - April 11, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON
Program Models in Gifted Education
EDTL:4199:0001/EDTL:4199:0EXW
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Development and refinement of preservice and inservice educators' understanding of academic programs; needs of gifted and talented students, including diverse and often underrepresented groups of students; rationale for and implementation of a comprehensive program model for gifted students. (3 sh)
Dates & Time: Jan 21 - March 14, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON Textbook: Designing Services and Programs for High-Ability Learners Second Edition A Guidebook for Gifted Education
ISBN: 9781483387024
Author: Eckert, R. & Robins, J.
Math Programming for High Ability Students
EDTL:4022:0WKA/PSQF:4122:0WKA
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This workshop will focus on the intersection of theory underlying the unique challenges presented by talented students and practice necessary to develop the mathematical talent of gifted students. Participants will develop strategies for assessment and program implementation. (Participants do not need a background in mathematics or math education).
Instructor: Ann Lupkowski Shoplik Ph.D.
Dates & Time: February 26 - March 24, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON
Curriculum Concepts in Gifted Education
EDTL:4066:0EXW
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Analyzing and refining understanding of curriculum in context of: needs of gifted and talented students, rationale for and implementation of curriculum differentiation, and curriculum principles for and applications to gifted and talented; designed for preservice and inservice educators, as well as those interested in curriculum development, design, and delivery. (3 s.h.)
Instructor: Laurie Croft, Ph.D.
Dates & Time: March 23 - May 15, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON
Differentiated Instruction for the Gifted
EDTL:4025:0WKA
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Program options for K-12 gifted students; student abilities and needs linked with various curricula; case studies, school materials. Meeting the needs of students through differentiation and engagement; going beyond worksheets.
Instructor: Debbie Judge, M.A.
Dates & Time: April 13 - May 01
Platform: Online via ICON
Administrative and Policy Issues in Gifted Ed
EPLS:4110:0EXW
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Policy, administrative, evaluation issues in developing and maintaining gifted programs in a school setting; participants develop gifted program and policies for a school; for school executives and coordinators of gifted programs. (2 sh)
Instructor: Randy Lange, Ph.D.
Dates & Time: February 4 - May 1, 2020
Platform: Online via ICON
The practicum is an individually arranged experience promoting research, reflection and action on participant-defined goals, and hands-on experience with gifted children. For each hour of practicum, teachers spend approximately 15 hours reading and reacting to new materials, fifteen hours working to achieve their personal goals, and 15 hours in observation and interaction with gifted and talented students. These activities frequently complement a teacher's professional responsibilities.
Pract in Tchng & Curric Development in Gifted Educ
EDTL:4188:0001/EDTL:4188:0EXW/EDTL4189:0WKA
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Practicum experience is based in local classrooms convenient for participants or at the Belin-Blank Center. Participants are provided opportunities to explore relevant literature, to assist in developing curriculum for courses and workshops in gifted education, and to observe and assist in classroom instruction. (Participants may enroll in 1, 2, or 3 semester hours, depending on section.) Needs special permission
- If you are enrolled as a full-time student, register for EDTL:4188:0001.
- If you are a Continuing Education student who wants one semester hour of credit for practicum, enroll in EDTL:4189:0WKA.
- If you are a Continuing Education student who wants two or more semester hours of credit for practicum, enroll in RCE:4188:0EXW.
Instructor: Laurie Croft, Ph.D.
Team Teacher: Haley Wikoff
Dates & Time: Multiple official start dates dependent on section; participants with later start dates are welcome (and encouraged) to start the course early
Platform: Online via ICON
Practicum in Gifted/Talented Education
EDTL:4188:0EXW/EDTL:4189:0WKA/RCE:4188:0EXW
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Practicum experience is based in local classrooms convenient for participants or at The Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Participants are provided opportunities to explore relevant literature, to assist in developing curriculum for courses and workshops in gifted education, and to observe and assist in classroom instruction. (Participants may enroll in 1, 2, or 3 semester hours, depending on section.)
- If you are enrolled as a full-time student, register for EDTL:4188:0EXW.
- If you are a Continuing Education student who wants one credit for practicum, enroll in EDTL:4189:0WKA.
- If you are a Continuing Education student who wants two or more practicum credits, enroll in RCE:4188:0EXW.
Instructor: Laurie Croft, Ph.D.
Team Teacher: Jose Miranda-Barrera
Dates & Time: Multiple official start dates dependent on section; participants with later start dates are welcome (and encouraged) to start the course early
Platform: Online via ICON
Chautauqua
Although online courses offer greater flexibility, face-to-face classes enhance networking opportunities, engagement with others who are your interests, and more detailed discussions. Our summer Belin-Blank Chautauqua classes include face-to-face time with colleagues, as well as follow-up time to submit summative work.
Alos, if you'd like to earn your endorsement in as little time as possible, consider taking coursework during our Chautauqua summer sessions. Enroll in one or more one-hour workshops to complete up to half of the endorsement requirements in just two weeks!
Chautauqua typically features six separate summer workshops on campus with additional online components. Participants may enroll in any one (or more!) of the workshops. Those who enroll at the graduate level for all three workshops in either week-or both-receive an automatic tuition scholarship from the Belin-Blank Center for one of three classes (i.e., three workshops for the cost of two; six for the cost of four).
Examples of courses from Summer 2019 include the courses listed below. The 2020 schedule will be available in January.
Chautauqua Example Courses
EDTL:4096:0WKC Topics in Teaching and Learning - Design Innovation: Talent Development in the 21st Century
EDTL:4072:0WKA Thinking Skills: Skills for Lifelong Learning
EDTL:4096:0WKD Topics in Teaching and Learning: Writing for High-Ability Learners
Chautauqua 2 Courses
RCE:4129 Creativity: Issues and Applications in Gifted Education
EDTL:4096:0WKE Topics in Teaching and Learning: Bibliotherapy for the Gifted
EPLS:4113 Staff Development for Gifted Programs
Traveling to Iowa City
Limited housing will be available near Blank Honors Center for those enrolling in all three workshops during either Chautauqua. Contact Rachelle Blackwell by email or at 800-336-6463 for registration information. Reservations, including payment, are due by Thursday, June 6th, 2019.
Lodging options in downtown Iowa City include the Iowa House Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hotel Vetro. Information on other area hotels, including options in neighboring Coralville, can be found at the Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Free music performances are available in downtown Iowa City every Friday evening! Other extracurricular opportunities will be available for Chautauqua participants.
