The role of pre-service education programs in preparing educators to work effectively with a wide range of learners is critical to student success. In addition to meeting the challenge of an increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse student population, general education classroom teachers are expected to be primary service providers for students who comprise the full range of academic diversity, including students who are advanced well beyond their age peers. In order to increase the effectiveness of all teachers in working with gifted and talented students, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) calls on pre-service teacher preparation programs to include coursework for all their teacher candidates on the nature and needs of gifted and talented students.