NKU announces new Program for Talent Development and Gifted Studies
News from NKU...
For immediate release...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University announced today the establishment of a Program for Talent Development and Gifted Studies.
The mission of this new program is to maximize learning opportunities for gifted and talented students in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region and beyond. To achieve its mission, the Program will offer a quality gifted and talented education program that focuses on talent identification, talent development, research and advocacy.
Proposed activities have the potential to increase readiness for postsecondary education, increase the number of Kentuckians with certificates and degrees, prepare graduates for life and work in Kentucky and benefit the Commonwealth's economy.
The first such activity will be an ExploreMore! enrichment program. These quality opportunities for gifted and talented students in grades K-8 will offer a broad range of enrichment courses to qualified students. Students will have the opportunity to select an interactive, hands-on course that matches their interests and abilities.
Class sizes are limited to provide an optimum teaching and learning environment. Classes will be taught by qualified teachers, focus on a central theme and be designed to allow students to pursue their natural curiosities. ExploreMore! Enrichment programs will be offered three times a year (fall, spring and summer) on NKU's Highland Heights campus, with the first coming this fall.
In addition to providing services for youth, the Program for Talent Development and Gifted Studies will offer a Master of Arts in Education degree with an endorsement in gifted and talented education, professional development workshops to area teachers and educational resources to local educators and parents. The endorsement courses are designed to support teachers in their professional development and help them prepare for work in gifted and talented education. By doing so, the Program will further contribute to NKU's established tradition of training teachers to provide quality education to the area's gifted and talented youth.
Finally, the Program will serve as an advocate for gifted students and their families. NKU will annually host a workshop for parents with gifted and talented children, which will serve to help parents as they navigate through the experiences of raising a gifted and talented youth.
The Program for Talent Development and Gifted Studies is co-directed by NKU professors Kimberly P. Code, Ph.D., and Kevin D. Besnoy, Ph.D. For further information regarding registration for the ExploreMore! Enrichment Program or other services offered by the Program for Talent Development and Gifted Studies, contact Dr. Code at (859) 572-6685 or codek@nku.edu; or Dr. Besnoy at (859) 572-1509 or besnoyk1@nku.edu.
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