Gifted and Talented Services

Gifted and Talented - TEA

A gifted/talented student is a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:

  • exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;
  • possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or
  • excels in a specific academic field

Gifted and Talented Explained

  • Giftedness is a naturally high ability in an area of intelligence. Think of giftedness as achievement level.
  • Talent is a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or action that can be productively applied. Think of talent as aptitude level.

Student Assessment

  • Referral window
    • Last 2 weeks of October
    • Forms available from homeroom teachers
  • Testing dates
    • Annually between Thanksgiving and Winter Break
  • Achievement testing (gifted)
    • Available data such as DRA, Numeracy assessment, STAAR, Verbal assessment
    • Nationally normed achievement tests as needed
  • Aptitude testing (talented)
    • Non-verbal reasoning
    • Spatial reasoning
    • Deductive reasoning (strategic thinking)
  • Observational Data:
    • Teacher observation
    • Parent observation

Service Design

STATE GOAL FOR SERVICES FOR GIFTED/TALENTED STUDENTS: Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted/talented students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

  • Academic services, not a program
  • Academic services are designed for students who demonstrate a need for these services
  • Not a privilege earned through good behavior, high grades, or to avoid boredom or disenchantment with learning
  • Services given to those who are identified via the assessment process

Kindergarten - Second Grade

Gifted and talented talent pool students in kindergarten through second grade receive services in the general education classroom from their teacher who has received the appropriate training in the nature and needs of gifted/talented students. General education teachers facilitate differentiated learning projects and processes for g/t students based on student need and interest.

Third – Sixth Grade

Gifted and talented students in grades third through sixth are served both in their regular classroom (in accordance with the K-2 GT design) as well as through Life School’s small group GT classes led by a district GT teacher. The small group class facilitates groups comprised of GT students that meet one time per week. Students work to achieve the Life School Gifted and Talented Program Goals through interdisciplinary unit studies. Amendments to program design may be implemented depending on district resources and available program staff.

Secondary

Secondary gifted and talented students are served through Honors, Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses. Students may choose from a variety of advanced courses, as listed in the Life School Course Guide, which correlate to their interests and aptitude. Students must be enrolled in at least one Honors, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit course. Teachers of these courses facilitate differentiated learning projects and processes for GT students.

Curriculum and Instruction

Professional Learning

89.2 Professional Development. School districts shall ensure that:

  • teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students have a minimum of 30 hours of staff development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students
  • teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in gifted education

Resources