Thank you for choosing to complete this one-hour online course.  The "PICK SIX" options began May 15, 2026 and will give you more variety and convenience in completing your annual six-hour GT Update.  Each of these "Pick Six" one-hour courses counts as one hour of credit/PD toward you six-hour state mandated hours.  The courses will end on May 31, 2027. PLEASE remember to print your certificate after completing the course.  You will find your certificate ready to print in your Region 8 ESC teacher account.  You can complete the short survey and then print your certificate.

Educators benefit from understanding underachievement among gifted and talented students because it challenges the assumption that high ability automatically leads to high performance, revealing instead a complex interaction of motivation, environment, social-emotional factors, and instructional fit. When teachers recognize the signs and root causes of underachievement—such as boredom, perfectionism, lack of challenge, cultural mismatch, or peer pressure—they are better equipped to design responsive instruction that re-engages students, supports their well-being, and fosters resilience. This knowledge also helps prevent misidentification, inequitable access to advanced services, and the long-term loss of potential, ensuring that gifted learners develop not only academically but also as confident, self-directed individuals.