Released February 15, 2005

Hattiesburg- The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi is currently conducting a study to determine best practices in screening, identifying, and serving potentially gifted preschool students in the state.

The importance of early childhood education has been well documented. Understanding the best ways of identifying and serving potentially gifted preschoolers may help secure appropriate educational experiences for all young children.

Training workshops are being planned to raise awareness of giftedness among preschool children. Four sessions will be conducted throughout the state by researchers from the center to share information gathered from the study with administrators, educators, and parents.

Training events have been scheduled in the following cities:

Biloxi, Mississippi - Tuesday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to noon

Hattiesburg, Mississippi - Thursday, April 14, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Jackson, Mississippi - Tuesday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to noon

Columbus, Mississippi - Friday, April 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information and to register for the complimentary workshops, contact the Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at (601) 266-5236 or (601) 266-5246 or by e-mail at gifted.studies@usm.edu.

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