The Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development was created in 1994 to identify, promote, and develop giftedness; conduct research for the purposes of improving programs for, and creating a better understanding of, the needs of gifted and talented individuals; provide professional development programs for all who work with gifted and talented individuals; and make information about all aspects of the gifted and talented more accessible.

The Center prepares teachers to meet the academic needs of gifted students both within and outside of the regular classroom

• by offering courses both on campus in the summer and statewide through the academic year over the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) for teachers interested in obtaining the Endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education, and
• by offering special workshops for educators.

The Center meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of gifted students through outreach, service, and the training of professionals

• by providing assessment, consultation, counseling, and advocacy service;
• by providing the Summer Scholars Program opportunities for gifted students to extend their learning outside the regular school day;
• by offering throughout the state workshops on assessment and identification of gifted and talented children, from preschoolers through adolescents;
• by utilizing the School Psychology Clinic to provide early identification of gifted and talented children, aiding full development of outstanding cognitive ability;
• by offering workshops dealing with the topic of giftedness; and
• by offering a clinical assessment of giftedness among disadvantaged children with the assistance of a fee waiver.

The Center builds a network of stakeholders among constituent groups: teachers, students, parents, Center personnel, and the Indiana Department of Education

• by conducting an annual Share-Indiana (Share-IN) Conference on parenting gifted children;
• by housing Shared Information Services at both Ball State and Purdue Universities, libraries offering educational materials to all adult residents of Indiana.

If you believe your son or daughter might qualify as a student with gifts and talents, you should complete an Application for Gifted and Talented Admissions (download here) and return the application to the Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development. As a part of the application process, families will be asked to provide supporting evidence that the child is gifted and talented. A list of acceptable documentation is provided as a part of the application materials.