About NAGC Networks (formerly called Divisions)
Do you have a special interest within the broader field of gifted and talented education? Looking to make connections and build a community with others who share these interests? Good news... NAGC has a home for you!
NAGC Networks (formerly called Divisions) exist to explore special issues and concerns related to the primary emphasis of that Network within the NAGC. In addition to building a special community for its subset of NAGC members, each Network supports the mission, purposes, and goals of NAGC through its activities. Networks also provide valuable input to the NAGC national convention each year by recommending proposals and topics for their own dedicated strand.
In September 2010, Individual and Graduate Student Members will have access to three Networks as part of their membership. Comprehensive Parent Members will be enrolled in the Parent & Community Network. Want more than three Networks? Members may add all networks for just $25 annually.
14 Communities
"Mouse over" the Network name for a brief description. Click to get more information.
Get Involved
How can you get involved? You may join any or all of the Networks and participate with colleagues in working on issues of special interest to you. Until September, Network membership costs $10 per Network per year; however, you must be an NAGC member first before you can join any of the Networks. What do you receive in return? In addition to a community of people who share your specific interests, Network members receive periodic newsletter updates and access to special activities during the NAGC Annual Convention.
Would you like to see an NAGC Network Factsheet? Click here.
Are you a lifetime NAGC member interested in joining a Network? The Network membership year for NAGC Lifetime Members runs from September 1 through August 31. You will be asked to renew all your Network memberships annually in July. Fill out this form to join a Network.
Network Elections
The elections process for Network Leadership coincides with NAGC Board elections. New terms begin September 1st. For more information about the Network nomination and election process, click here.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
NAGC now has created another way to address special issues and concerns related to gifted and talented education such as information about identification, support services and/or research related to gifted children--Special Interest Groups (SIGs). In addition, these groups provide a more targeted avenue for NAGC members to build smaller, more specialized communities within gifted education.
SIG Policy
SIG application form
New SIGs
To join one of the groups below, click here. Please indicate your name and which SIG you'd like to join. To join a SIG, you must be an NAGC member.
Twice Exceptional
Twice-exceptional learners are students who give evidence of the potential for high achievement capability in areas such as specific academics; general intellectual ability; creativity; leadership; AND/OR visual, spatial, or performing arts AND also give evidence of one or more disabilities as defined by federal or state eligibility criteria such as specific learning disabilities; speech and language disorders; emotional/behavioral disorders; physical disabilities; autism spectrum; or other health impairments, such as ADHD. Twice Exceptional students represent a unique group of learners with diverse programming and emotional needs due to the fact that they may have both gifts and disabilities. The Twice Exceptional SIG will provide professionals a network where they can meet to discuss research, programs, curriculum and new developments for this special area of gifted education.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Recognizing the national focus on STEM competitiveness at the international level, the STEM SIG will strengthen STEM education and opportunities for gifted, talented and promising students through a variety of activities including recommending, offering and evaluating NAGC annual conference sessions, developing publications and a position statement, and collaborating with other organizations and legislative bodies.
Assessments of Giftedness
The Assessments of Giftedness Special Interest Group believes that standardized tests play a critical role in gifted education. First, they strengthen identification of gifted students, especially those children whose needs may not be apparent in the classroom: the highly, exceptionally, and profoundly gifted; the twice exceptional; underachieving gifted students; and gifted students from diverse backgrounds. Second, they clarify instructional needs for educational planning. Third, they enhance diagnosis of learning deficits often concealed by the gifted child's ability to compensate. Because standardized tests are revised frequently and sometimes substantially, and gifted assessment is not a primary market for test developers, a permanent NAGC committee is needed to monitor assessment options and offer guidance for their use with gifted students. The Assessments of Giftedness SIG seeks to optimize the use and interpretation of current standardized instruments measuring the abilities and achievement of gifted children, support the ongoing development of improved instruments for the gifted, and propose aspirations for yet-to-be-developed instruments intended for use with the gifted.
Networks at the Annual Convention
The Networks are typically very busy at the NAGC Annual Convention--NETWORKING! Here is a schedule of Network events at the NAGC 57th Annual Convention in Atlanta, November 11-14.
Network News
Current Issue: Summer 2010
Network News is NAGC's newest publication to update the membership on what our 14 Networks are up to. Archives below:
Fall 2008
Summer 2008
Winter 2009
Summer 2009
Fall 2009
Winter 2010
More Network Information
Awards and Competitions
Network Elections
Network Chairs