P.O. Box 255
Irmo, S.C. 29063

info@scgifted.org

In the early 1970s, the state of South Carolina began the initial development of district programs for the education of gifted and talented students through a competitive grant system. By 1978 a number of programs existed in various geographical regions of the state, ten of which were located in the western corridor of the Upstate. Gifted program coordinators in the districts providing these services recognized the critical need for professional development in the rapidly emerging field of gifted education.

A new organization developed in the Upstate as the result of efforts on the part of three coordinators – Nancy Breard (Greenwood 50), Anna Pruitt (Anderson 5) and Linda Hill (Abbeville County). The new organization, known as the Piedmont Consortium for Gifted Education, provided meetings, workshops and conferences for district coordinators and teachers. As these efforts expanded the membership grew and delegates from programs in the Midlands and Low-Country requested affiliation with the core leadership.

With the passage of the Education Improvement Act in 1984 and a legislative mandate and state funding for gifted education, districts throughout the state sought membership in the Piedmont Consortium. By 1986 most of the 85 school districts in South Carolina were members. The Piedmont Consortium for Gifted Education was re-organized under a new constitution as the South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education.

Through the years SCCGE has remained dedicated to providing “cutting-edge” professional development for coordinators and teachers. During its 26-year history, the Consortium has provided training and consultant services by the major national and international leaders in the field. The Consortium has worked closely with the South Carolina Department of Education in sponsoring workshops, conferences, graduate-level courses, a statewide creative problem solving competition for students and student scholarships to attend summer college and university programs.