ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an overview of teacher preparation and program standards in gifted education. It specifies ways of developing partnerships among Pre-K-12 institutions, universities and other education preparation providers, and the larger community. The book identify goals for these partnerships and related features that improve teacher quality. It shows how to address the teacher preparation standards through the lens of student outcomes. The book shows how professional development in gifted education might be improved through five delivery models: individually guided professional development, observation and assessment, involvement in a development or improvement process, training, and inquiry. It provides evidence for successful standards-based professional development approaches in gifted education related to the implementation of cluster grouping and instructional strategies. The book suggests strong leadership and dynamic views of professional development must be operative and effective for full implementation of change in gifted programs to occur.
