Section 500
ENDORSEMENT: (690) GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION

TEACHER
Function: This endorsement on a teacher certificate allows the holder to teach gifted/talented students kindergarten through grade 12.

Eligibility: Applicants shall meet eligibility requirements specified in Part I. In addition, eligibility for this endorsement shall be established by one of three pathways . Individuals who are not eligible through any of these pathways may be eligible for a conditional certificate in accordance with Section 2.4.B.4, below, and Part I Sections 5.4 of this rule. by:

1. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 1

1. Graduation from a Maine program approved for the education of gifted/talented teachers, together with a formal recommendation from the preparing institution for the endorsement being sought;
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule;
3. An approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom;”
4. Content area assessment in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
5. Basic Skills Test in reading, writing, and mathematics in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013.

2. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 2

1. GA bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule;
2. A valid Maine provisional or professional teaching certificate with a K-3, K-8, 5-8, 7-12 or K-12 endorsement;
3. A minimum of 12 credits of approved study in gifted/talented coursework, including a minimum of 6 semester hours from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule; the remaining credits may be earned through a combination of Continuing Education Units, in-service clock hours, or clock hours for summer institutes/workshops;
4. An approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom;”
5. Content area assessment in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
6. Pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at the appropriate grade level in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013 or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program.

3. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 3

1. GA bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule;
2. A valid Maine provisional or professional teaching certificate with a K-3, K-8, 5-8, 7-12 or K-12 endorsement;
3. A minimum of 12 credits of approved study in gifted/talented coursework, including a minimum of 6 semester hours from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule; the remaining credits may be earned through a combination of Continuing Education Units, in-service clock hours, or clock hours for summer institutes/workshops;
4. An approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom;”
5. Content area assessment in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
6. Pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at the appropriate grade level in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013 or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program.
7. One academic semester or a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time student teaching, or a combination of part-time and full-time student teaching in an amount equivalent to 15 weeks in this endorsement area at this grade level. This requirement shall be waived upon completion of one full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, a conditional certificate, or a transitional endorsement in this endorsement area at this grade level.

4. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 1

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule; and
2. A minimum of 24 semester hours in gifted/talented coursework.