Our Mission

 

Founded by parents and teachers in 1974, MAGC is a non-profit organization that serves as a public advocate for gifted children and youth in the state of Mississippi. MAGC is the only state-level organization specifically for the gifted. In 1988, MAGC initiated legislation that resulted in state mandated gifted programs and their funding in all Mississippi public school districts. The mission of the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children is to advocate for appropriate educational opportunities that address the unique needs of Mississippi's gifted children and foster the development of their abilities and

potential; encourage advocacy, communication, and collaboration among educators, parents, agencies, and other organizations; and work for improvement in all areas of education and for better educational opportunities for all children. MAGC is an affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children.

 

The Purposes of MAGC are to...

 

A. Serve as a public advocate concerning the needs of the gifted

 

B. Serve the State of Mississippi in the development and improvement of programs for the gifted by keeping parents, teachers, institutions of higher learning, and the general public aware of the need to probide appropriate experiences for gifted students.

 

C. Disseminate ideas on programs, projects, and research on the gifted.

 

D. Encourage local chapter organizations throughout the state to develop and provide support for gifted education in their communities.

 

 

E. Serve as a catalyst in educational growth and stimulation of the membership.

 

F. Work for improvement in all areas of education and for better educational opportunities for all children.

 

 

MAGC provides...

 

• An annual conference to supply training relevant to the education of gifted children and youth

 

• Publications and information for teachers and families of gifted children

 

• Student scholarships and teacher grants

 

• Workshops and special training sessions for parents and teachers

 

• Opportunities for teachers and parents to network and form support groups

 

• Assistance to local parent affiliate groups who support gifted education in their communities.

 

 

MAGC collaborates with the Mississippi Department of Education to improve and maintain services for gifted children and youth.
 

 

 

 

Gifted Legislation in Mississippi

 

Mississippi has a mandate to serve intellectually gifted students in grades 2-6. In addition, school districts are permitted to serve intellectuallY gifted students in 7th and 8th grades and in other areas of gifted eligibility (creatively gifted, artistically gifted, and academically gifted) in "permissive programming" at the discretion of the school districts.

 

Gifted education funding falls under the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Currently, it is lumped in with the funding for special education and vocational education to be used at the discretion of the school districts.

 

For additional information about gifted education in Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Department of Education website at www.mde.k12.ms.us.