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Center for Gifted Education

Thank you for visiting the Center for Gifted Education!

Center for Gifted Education Mission Statement:

The Center for Gifted Education has the mission to support the needs of gifted and talented students, and those with gifted potential. The Center is an instructional, research, and service center. It offers professional learning opportunities for teachers and schools, summer enrichment programs for children, and consultation services for parents. We facilitate and support gifted education advocacy efforts, providing research-based information about the needs of gifted & talented students to all stakeholders. We aim to build relationships with those who impact gifted students as well as the public.

We wish to thank all of the attendees of the Fall 2024 LAgniappe Destination Imagination® Parent and Child Pop-UP, the LAgnaippe Math Circles Programs, and the FA24 Adolescent Conference. We had a great time.

Admission to the Summer Programs presented by the Center for Gifted Education

Students must be admitted to the Summer Programs presented by the Center for Gifted Education to participate in the Programs. Our screening window is currently open.

Students must qualify for admission to the Summer Programs presented by the Center for Gifted Education. All new participants must submit a one-time, non-refundable, $25.00 Application for Admission. Upon submission of the application fee the parent will receive the parent checklist and we will send a teacher checklist to the teacher listed in the application. The application fee will cover the review of the parent, and teacher checklists, and any standardized test scores by Dr. Bruce-Davis. She will determine student qualifications for participation in the Summer Programs presented by the Center for Gifted Education.

New students who are in a Parish GT Program must submit a one-time, non-refundable, $25.00 application fee, and the parent and teacher checklist. Identified students must also submit the 1st page of their most recent IEP, or the Welcome letter from the Gifted and Talented Program.

Identified GT Program students do not need to submit scores for review.

Older students (5th grade and above) who are NOT in a Parish GT Program will require a score review to determine qualification for admission.

Returning Students:

Students previously accepted into the Center for Gifted Education programs have the status of Returning Students.

Academic Enrichment Program History and Announcements:

The Center for Gifted Education has a long and rich history of educating parents, students, and educators in and around the Lafayette area, the state, and the nation. The center was established in 1982 and is one of only 20 such comprehensive instructional, research, and service centers in the country. It is the only one of its scope in Louisiana. UL Lafayette's Center for Gifted Education strives to focus on the needs of high-potential/gifted/talented learners, parents, and educators. Our academic enrichment programs are designed to support the development of talent in high-ability, gifted, and talented learners. For specific details regarding the Rising PreK through Rising 10th Grade Programs visit our Children's Programs pages.

We are thrilled to have hosted the 2024 LAgniappe Academic Enrichment Programs. During this week-long program students worked within the framework of Destination Imagination® using the DI SKillfire activities. The Skillfire program will allow students the opportunity to work within a true steam program collaborating in teams to analyze information, and to think critically to synthesize solutions to the Skillfire challenges.

We are excited about the Summer 2025 LAgniappe Academic Enrichment - Destination Imagination programs.

Check out our Original Curation from The Center:
Gifted & Talented Leadership

Check out this week's Online Resource 
Asynchronous Development of Twice Exceptional Students

The LAgniappe Educators Conference is the South's premier conference for educators and parents of high-ability/gifted learners. This year our annual conference will offer educators an opportunity for in-depth learning from the leaders in the field of gifted education. Our Conference will take place at the Episcopal School of Acadiana, 721 E. Kaliste Saloom Road on June 10, 2025 and June 11, 2025. Please visit the LAgniappe page for further details.

Programs for Master's in Gifted Education and Doctor of Education Exceptional Learner Concentration! See below for More Information!

Master's Degree Program in Gifted Education

Learn more about a faster way to finish your Master's in Gifted Education! This Master's in Gifted Education program provides a variety of experiences to support graduates in gaining and understanding the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

Doctorate In Educational Leadership with A Concentration in Exceptional Learners

To learn more the Doctor of Education Exceptional Learner Concentration please contact:
     Dr. Christine Briggs - cbriggs@louisiana.edu
     Dr. Donna Wadsworth - dwadsworth@louisiana.edu

For more information regarding the Graduate School application and Educational Leadership program, please contact:
     Dr. Dianne Olivier - dianne.olivier@louisiana.edu

Contact Us

Please contact the Center for Gifted Education with any questions.

Kathleen McIntire, Administrative Coordinator III
Office Address
Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning
200 East Devalcourt Street
Room 266
Lafayette, LA 70506


Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 43648
Lafayette, LA  70504-3648

337-482-6701
gifted@louisiana.edu

Hosted by

Dr. Christine Briggs, Director of the Center for Gifted Education