AAGT’s mission is to advocate for the diverse population of gifted and talented students in the state of Arizona. This means celebrating the diversity that we work so hard to advocate for. Enjoy our feature on Hispanic Heritage Month and […]

The Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Board of Directors, the Association’s members, and the entire community of gifted supporters in Arizona mourn the loss of Dr. Marcia Gentry who passed away on August 31, 2022. At the time of […]

Arizona State University Researchers Find Participation in The Brilliance, Excellence, and Equity Project Increases Teachers’ Cultural Competency Around Gifted Education  TEMPE, AZ – A trio of researchers at Arizona State University recently completed an independent evaluation the effectiveness of The […]

By: Stephanie Newitt Years ago I was struggling to understand my 10 year old highly gifted, underachieving son.  There were moments when I was in awe of how his brain worked.  There were moments when I wanted to bang my […]

The theme for the United Nation’s International Youth Day (IYD) 2022 is Intergenerational Solidarity, focusing on the importance of fostering “successful and equitable intergenerational relations and partnerships to ensure ‘no one is left behind’. In this blog post, AAGT explores […]

Free Universal Screening Opportunity for Gifted Education for Arizona Public School Students in 2nd Grade   The Arizona legislature once more appropriated $850,000 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to support the opportunity for all public schools to evaluate […]

Update – July 5, 2022 We just learned that each of the boys will be returning home with a medal, a college-savings bond, and a week of memories to last a lifetime—but not the trophy.  That went to a Christian […]

Dear Heather Pace and AAGT Scholarship Task Force,  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for providing me with the AAGT mini-grant. With your help and continued support of our gifted and talented PACE program, students […]

Just a few weeks ago, the UN and IPCC released their Sixth Assessment Report. This report said that ‘it’s now or never’ in terms of enacting serious change to protect our planet. #EarthDay is tomorrow! The #IPCC #ClimateReport, released a […]

“Because with boys failure is attributed to external factors and success is attributed to ability, they keep their confidence, even with failure. With girls, it’s just the opposite. Because their success is attributed to good luck or hard work and […]

Read Across America Day Read Across America Day happens on March 2 – which just happens to be Dr. Suess’ birthday! Read Across America Day began in 1998 as a way to get kids excited about reading. Here are five […]

Please enjoy this incredibly special poem, drafted by Dr. Jason McIntosh in honor of our 48th Annual Conference!  

Complete the survey by February 25th to indicate your LEA’s interest in the no-cost Gifted Assessment. Dear School Leaders, The Arizona legislature appropriated $850,000 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to procure an assessment that Arizona public schools could […]

Finding a podcaster and topic that you can’t get enough of is so awesome – it’s almost like having a meaningful conversation with a friend in real life. Here are some of our favorite gifted and talented-focused podcasts – click […]

While this article focuses on Data from one state (Ohio), it states many examples of how adopting local norms to improve the “Gifted Gap” of our diverse Arizona students and preparation in our elementary/middle school. We would love to hear […]

One of the signs that may point to a gifted child is their seemingly neverending store of questions, often about rather sophisticated topics. This season brings up one big question that can be really difficult to answer, gifted kid or […]

Happy December Greetings! There have been several new Legislators at the State Capitol recently, due to resignations.  Legislators have moved on to run for other offices, some have moved into new careers and some have found other opportunities that engage […]

AAGT’s 2021 Hybrid Parent Institute was a well-received, highly rated event! AAGT was so excited to offer a hybrid option so that we can join together safely in persona and offer a virtual option to expand our reach across the […]

The International Gifted Consortium (IGC), Research Center for the Highly-Profoundly Gifted shares real-life stories, trials and tribulations from the voices of highly and profoundly gifted children, adolescents, young adults, families and beyond – they explore the depths of heightened sensitivity, […]

What are the details about administering the assessment for Universal Screening? ADE is developing an RFP to solicit potential vendors to supply assessments for universal screening of every second grader in every district and school across the state. Potential vendors […]

“Neila has been attending theatre workshops since she was 3 years old. She recently received AAGT’s student enrichment scholarship to participate at Desert Foothills Theatre’s, Shrek Jr. summer camp. She absolutely loved it! Every class is equally as valuable as […]

Gideon made this 3′ x 5.5′ metal trellis in his second year Agricultural Engineering (welding) class at high school. The scroll work is made of 3/8″ rod of varying lengths and the frame is made from 1″ square 16 gauge […]

It is with great jubilation that Gifted Education has a stream of dedicated, ongoing funding. The Arizona Legislature approved a budget, signed by Governor Ducey, that now includes Gifted in Group B weight funds. Districts and schools will receive weighted […]

Urgent Call to Action Please contact the offices of Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema and request they sign the Dear Colleague Letter to support the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. THE DEADLINE TO COLLECT […]

AAGT was honored and thrilled to join educators from schools in Graham and Greenlee counties as both speakers and exhibitors at the South Eastern Arizona Teachers’ Academy (SEATA)! Board President Stephanie Newitt, Board Secretary Marianne Landrith and Parent Engagement Task […]

University of Southern California is excited to announce a new webinar series developed for incoming 6-9th grade students: The Discovery Project. The Discovery Project at USC provides opportunities to explore topical areas from the disciplines: Medicine, Engineering, Philanthropy, Education, Sociology, Art, Biology, and […]

The University of Connecticut’s Project 2eASD/GT online program aims to support high school students as they begin to transition into post-high school years and prepare for college. This 2e/ASD program, offered in conjunction with UConn’s Pre-College Summer program for high […]

A summary of the FY22 proposed Budget as introduced by the House and Senate includes two items related to gifted education funding. Establishment of a Group B funding weight of 0.007 for gifted students who score at or above the […]

Summer is just around the corner and many of our learners will be at home alone while their parents/guardians are at work (or continue to work from home). It’s important to provide ideas for students to explore that will keep […]

As parents, educators and supporters of Gifted Education, we are all aware of why a comprehensive K-12 education is important to our children/students as individuals, but what does Gifted Education mean when creating a talent pool for large companies to […]

Summer is Coming… Check out these unique opportunities for our unique kids! Please submit any other programs/camps by email director@azgifted.com Astronomy Camp – University of Arizona http://www.astronomycamp.org/ http://www.astronomycamp.org/register.html   Summer excellence programs – University of Arizona https://diversity.medicine.arizona.edu/summer-programs   Summer Institute […]

Nicole Belden (Cartwright School District) was selected as a recipient in March 2020 for AAGT’s Teacher Classroom Mini-Grant, which she used to enhance the before school club for gifted students in the inner-city with enrichment games. Games such as Word-A-Round, […]

Join faculty and graduate students from ASU’s School of Arts, Media and Engineering virtually in this year’s summer program featuring project-focused classes. Make 3D jewelry, code your own game, build creative robots, and more. Spark your creativity integrating arts, science […]

Gifted students have learning differences that require accommodations in their curriculum and instruction and pace of learning as well as accommodations for their unique social and emotional issues. Without the opportunity to have appropriately challenging educational opportunities, the consequences can […]

Back in the Game with a Striker! Perseverance and passion got us back on to an agenda! With the help of Rep. Pawlik and Rep. Udall, we were able to get a striker bill for HB2418! Rep. Aaron Lieberman has […]

STEM Signing Day celebrates high school seniors from across the country who choose to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education at technical programs, two- and four-year colleges and universities. Just like signing days for athletes, STEM Signing Day […]

June 17th – 19th, 2021 (Online) The Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative will be hosting for the very first time the top international relations summer program for high school students around the world. The three-day program will comprise of discussions with Harvard […]

Seeking Gifted Students Grades 3-6 Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Cincinnati are seeking gifted students in grades 3-6 to take part in a survey. The survey seeks to understand the gifted education services that were provided […]

By Colin Seale, Founder of ThinkLaw Imagine a child watching her first gymnastics routine and immediately doing perfect backflips across her living room. A teenager hearing a song and, without training, beautifully playing it on the piano by ear. No […]

Purdue Gifted Education Research & Resource Institute (GER2I) is excited to announce the return of the Summer Residential Program for students currently in grades 5 – 12! Our summer program will be held virtually on July 11-24, 2021, and registration […]

RISE Summer Leadership Institute is a free leadership and college readiness program for rising high school juniors and seniors that are accepted. • Cultivate leadership abilities • Resources to help navigate the college going process • Gain insight from Black […]

Zero. Again. We need your help. As you know, gifted education in Arizona has not been fully-funded in more than a decade. This legislative session saw House Bill 2418, a powerful piece of legislation that would have sustainably, equitably, and […]

Johns Hopkins CTY Online Programs course, Master Class II: Writing, Editing, and Publishing, is creating a literary journal titled Lexophilia to showcase work by CTY students and they are seeking student submissions. Whether it’s art, poetry, nonfiction, or action-packed stories, […]

The 2021 Academic Decathlon Regional Competitions were held throughout the state last weekend, February 5 & 6.  The top three teams from each region were: Region I – St. Johns, Show Low, Snowflake Region II – Cesar Chavez, BASIS Peoria, […]

Debbie Moore’s Design Lab (Deer Valley Unified School District) was selected as a recipient in November 2020 for AAGT’s Teacher Classroom Mini-Grant, which she used to update her Design Lab with a new 3-D Printer and Sewing Machine! We appreciate […]

HB2418 is on the Agenda! House Bill 2418 is on the House Education Committee agenda tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. and we could not be more excited. As you know, Arizona has not fully funded gifted education in more than a […]

The AZ Academic Decathlon Regional is looking for volunteers for the 2021 competition taking place virtually on February 5-6. The registration system is now open for speech, interview, and essay judges for the (virtual) AZ Academic Decathlon Regional competition.  Even if you have […]

What an unexpected year.    We have all been impacted this year by a global pandemic, a demand for long overdue racial justice and equity in our society, and more changes in our education system than could have ever been […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

I am so grateful to have been chosen for the scholarship award. I have been teaching gifted students in Page, AZ for a year and a half. It’s been a bumpy road but so much fun. I believe that our students […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

PHOENIX, ARIZONA –  A global pandemic. Social issues. Virtual Classrooms. During a year when many people have felt disconnected, worried and unheard, the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT) is aware of disparities that have become more obvious than […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

CONTACT: Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Heather Long • Executive Director (602) 882-1848 director@azgifted.org RELEASE DATE: Thursday, September 30, 2020 AAGT RELEASES THEIR 2020 CANDIDATES SURVEY ON GIFTED EDUCATION IN ARIZONA   PHOENIX, ARIZONA –  With heightened awareness around […]

Election season is upon us and in doing your research for candidates in your area, do you know who supports your child’s education? We will update this post with results as we receive them. Unsure of your legislative district, click […]

THE H.O.T. (HIGHER ORDER THINKING) SPOT A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR CURIOUS KIDS By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

We Press On…. These last 6 months have been a time of trial, fear, anxiety, problem finding and problem solving. AAGT chose to respond to the uncertainty of the times with opportunities, resources and information for the gifted community in […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

As a parent or teacher, it can be difficult to manage the highs and lows gifted children are experiencing right now.  Their minds are going in many different directions in response to their environment.  Sometimes, they withdraw to ponder and […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

Pam McDonald, a doctoral student at Grand Canyon University, is working with AAGT to further gifted research. McDonald will study how teachers describe their support of 2e students using strengths-based practices to promote well-being. If you are an Arizona K-8 teacher […]

A Letter from the National Association for Gifted Children July 14, 2020 On June 5th, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) published a statement denouncing systemic racism and supporting racial justice. Today, on behalf of the NAGC Board of […]

Due to COVID-19 disruptions and required social distancing guidelines in ACT test centers, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the planned launch of online testing for national ACT test-takers. We are focused on adding additional testing capacity for […]

AAGT would like to take a moment to thank Texas Association for Gifted and Talented for sharing with us their resources and webinars. We hope that you take the time to watch and use the tools that have been provided […]

Illustration by Sacrée Frangine The Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) stands for equity and abhors the racial injustices that have devastated the lives of Black Americans across our country.  Many have felt their hearts burning and breaking in […]

AAGT’s Mission is to advocate for the diverse population of gifted and talented students in the state of Arizona. Our hearts are broken during this period of unrest our state and country are in. Our children today are going to […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

The H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) Spot a Weekly Publication for Curious Kids By Jason S. McIntosh, Ph.D. CAUTION: Participation may lead to a lack of boredom and a tired brain! Available to download and print for your Gifted Students! Each […]

Written By: Donna Campbell, M.Ed. Advocacy Chair, Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Picture By: Katie Campbell-Grutsch Gifted students often respond to uncertainty and disruption in their lives with heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, worry, and sadness.  Many are unable […]

Updates from the State Legislature The State Legislature passed a “skinny” budget before it recessed in March. Gifted funding was not included in this budget. The intention is for the Legislature to reconvene at a later date to complete the […]