Garland Area Parent Association for Gifted and Talented

• American MENSA, www.us.mensa.org. 
  
  American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized intelligence test regardless of age. The purpose is to identify and foster human intelligence, encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members. The Gifted Children Resource Program provides information to parents of gifted children. Here is a list of recommended books:  American Mensa | Parent's Book List
  
  
• Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students
  www.tea.state.tx.us/gted
  
  
• Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT)
  www.txgifted.org
  
  
• Garland ISD programming for gifted/talented education
  www.garlandisd.net/instruction/gifted_talented.asp
  
  
• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
  www.nagc.org
  Information about and support for appropriate educational experiences for gifted students.
  
  
• Office of Gifted Studies, University of North Texas
  www.coe.unt.edu/gifted/parents
  Includes characteristics of gifted, parenting gifted children and how to partner with schools.
  
  
• Gifted Students Institute, Southern Methodist University
  www.smu.edu/continuing_education/youth/gsi/students.asp
  
  Offers summer residential programs for middle school and high school students, plus Challenges program for elementary students, and summer enrichment workshops.
  
  
• Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
  www.tams.unt.edu
  Early admissions residential program at the University of North Texas for advanced students interested in science, mathematics or engineering careers.
  
  
• International Baccalaureate Organization
  www.ibo.org
  A pre-university program with a challenging curriculum and an international perspective, including individual research, community service and college credit exams. Available at Garland High School.
  
  
• Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP)
  www.tip.duke.edu
  Duke is a national leader in identifying academically talented students and providing innovative programs and resources to support their educational potential. New summer studies program at Texas A&M.
  
  
• Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page
  www.hoagiesgifted.org
  The site contains a wide variety of resources, links, articles, and information for gifted kids, their educators, and parents.
  
  
• The Gifted Child Society
  www.gifted.org
  Support services for parents, children and educators.
  
  
• There are many more links, some can be found at www.yahoo.com/text/education/k_12/Gifted_Youth

Other Parent Organizations

Other school districts in our area have also formed Parent Affiliate groups with TAGT:

• Hurst-Euless-Bedford Association for Gifted and Talented www.hebagt.org
• Carrollton-Farmers Branch Association for Gifted and Talented www.CFBgifted.org
• Plano Association for Gifted and Talented http://k-12.pisd.edu/currinst/pace/pagt

Further Reading

• "Raising Champions"
  • Author: Micheal Sayler.  Published by Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, 1997.
    A parent handbook for nurturing gifted children, it includes an overview of the State Plan and commonly asked questions, plus an extensive bibliography and a glossary of “educationese.”
    
• "The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids"
  • Author: Sally Yahnke Walker.  Published by Free Spirit Publishing, 1991.
    How to understand, live with, and stick up for your gifted child.
    
• "Stand Up for Your Gifted Child"
  • Author: Joan Franklin Smutny, Published by Free Spirit Publishing, 2001.
    How to make the most of kids’ strengths at school and at home.
    
• "College Planning for Gifted Students"
  • Author: Sandra L. Berger.  Published by The Council for Exceptional Children, 1998.
    A comprehensive guide to help parents, teachers and counselors support gifted adolescents and ensure they will choose the college -- and ultimately the careers -- right for them.
    
• "The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide for Ages 10 & Under"
  • Author: Judy Galbraith.  Published by Free Spirit Publishing, 1999.
    A revised an updated guide for young people, it is a classic introduction to growing up gifted.
    
• "The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide: Teen Handbook"
  • Authors: Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle.  Published by Free Spirit Publishing, 1998.
    A teen’s guide to surviving and thriving in a world that doesn’t always value, support, or understand high ability.
    
• "Emotional Intelligence"
  • Author: Daniel Goleman.  Published by Bantam Books, 1995.
    A well-researched volume that looks at the link between intellectual and emotional intelligence, and examines the inner characteristics of people who excel in life.
    
• "The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What do we know?"
  • Authors: Neihart, M., Reis. S., Robinson, N. and Moon, S. (eds).  Published by Prufrock Press, 2002.