University of Nebraska Kearney

Special Education: Gifted Graduate Program Assessment Mission 

Mission

Master degree students graduating from the Department of Teacher Education's graduate programs will demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which perspectives and beliefs influence instructional behaviors, extend their knowledge of the central concepts of selected disciplines, and obtain and use knowledge and skills which will support increased instructional effectiveness with diverse learners.

Graduate Program Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate their leadership and administrative skills, which include promoting and implementing professional and state standards;
2. Students will effectively design instruction and materials for all learners;
3. Students will demonstrate how to use a variety of productivity, research, and software tools in various instructional settings;
4. a. Students will be able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate critical and contemporary issues; and,
   b. Students will be knowledgeable consumers and generators of research.

Special Education: Gifted Specialization Objectives 

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to design cognitively complex learning experiences for gifted learners based on their cognitive and affective characteristics. (Departmental Objectives 2, 3)
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to design guidance/counseling strategies to facilitate the social and emotional development of gifted learners based on their cognitive and affective characteristics. (Departmental Objectives 2, 3, 4a, 4b)
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to select and apply a combination of standardized and informal methods of assessment to identify gifted learners. (Department Objectives 3)
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop programs for gifted learners based on philosophical, theoretical, and empirical evidence and understand the management of such programs. (Department Objective 1)
5. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and disseminate materials to increase educator, parent, and community understanding of gifted learners and their cognitive and affective need for appropriate programming. (Department Objective 1)
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with K-12 gifted learners, their parents, educational colleagues, and other stakeholders in the community. (Department Objective 1)
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate seminal research and original inquiry within the field of gifted education. (Department Objectives 4a, 4b)