Educators need to know the professional standards in their field to maintain high levels of professional competence. This article focuses on four sets of teacher preparation standards in gifted education. They address initial and advanced preparation of educators who teach students with gifts and talents. Initial preparation standards include the National Association for Gifted Children/Council for Exceptional Children–The Association for the Gifted (NAGC/CEC-TAG) teacher knowledge and skill standards for gifted and talented education and the NAGC preparation for all teacher standards that were developed in response to the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Advanced preparation standards incorporate the CEC-NAGC Advanced Knowledge and Skill Set: Specialist in Gifted and Talented Education and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Exceptional Needs Standards. These standards relate to other national teacher preparation, content, and gifted education programming standards. Research suggests that standards have a positive effect on professional competence and the field and are used to legitimize the field of gifted education; to build consensus; to offer guidance for developing programs at the university, state, and local levels; and for evaluation and advocacy.
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