Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented

In 1990, the State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students was adopted by the Texas State Board of Education and revised in 2009.  The most significant revision was very simple. Instead of qualifying students for a GT program, students now qualify for GT services.  The State Plan forms the basis of GT services and accountability in LISD.

State Goal for Gifted/Talented Student Services

Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communications 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. 

LISD Gifted and Talented Mission

Through the establishment of secure and free learning environments, LISD GT students continuously seek out challenges to: 

• Promote scholarly behaviors that discover, develop and leverage capacity (Research) 
•  Effectively communicate and collaborate
• Foster critical thinking by manipulating abstract ideas and making deep connection
• Promote creativity and innovation
• Develop self awareness and social consciousness

LISD GT Goals and Objectives

The Gifted student will:

• Become aware of his or her own unique potential and learning style in order to develop these abilities for the  betterment of self and society. 
• Utilize higher level thinking skills to develop intellectual curiosity in critical, creative and productive thinking. 
• Understand and apply the problem-solving process in a cooperative group setting through analysis and evaluation of a real life situation.
• Develop reference skills for using multiple concepts and resources in synthesizing an advanced product. 

SERVICE DESIGN FOR HIGHLAND VILLAGE ELEMENTARY

            KINDERGARTEN

All Kindergarten students are automatically considered for gifted/talented and other advanced level services. All students will receive the following GT services:

• Four LISD Planned Experiences led by the GT facilitator
• Ongoing classroom visits and observations for collaborative data collection
• Standardized Non-verbal ability assessment (NNAT) for base line screening in January
• Differentiated instruction as needed from classroom educators  
• Students with evidence of emerging GT potential in Kindergarten Planned Experiences and/or non-verbal ability assessments will be placed on a "Watch List" for continued observation as they progress through Highland Village Elementary.  Parents and teachers of these students will be notified and asked to complete a Parent Observation Survey as additional data.
• Students with evidence of emerging GT potential may be placed in 1st grade GT Cluster Classrooms.

            1ST GRADE

Students will continue to receive the following GT services:

• Three LISD Planned Experiences led by the GT facilitator
• Ongoing classroom visits and observations for collaborative data collection
• Differentiated instruction as needed from classroom educators  
• "Watch Lists" will be monitored and updated
• Students with evidence of emerging GT potential on 1st grade Planned Experiences will be placed on a "Watch List" for continued observation as they progress through Highland Village Elementary. Parents and teachers of these students will be notified and asked to complete a Parent Observation Survey as additional data.
• Students with evidence of emerging GT potential may be placed in 2nd grade GT Cluster Classrooms.
• Parents or teachers of students with strong evidence of GT potential and testing readiness may request GT identification testing. Parents and teachers of these students will be asked to complete a Parent Observation Survey as additional data.  Students identified through testing will continue to be served in their regular classrooms.
• Students identified through testing in 1st grade will be placed in 2nd grade GT Cluster Classrooms. 

            2ND GRADE

Students will receive the following GT services:

• Two LISD Planned Experiences led by the GT facilitator
• Ongoing classroom visits and observations for collaborative data collection
• Differentiated instruction as needed from classroom educators  
• "Watch Lists" will be monitored and updated
• Parents or teachers of students with evidence of GT potential and testing readiness may request GT identification testing. Parents and teachers of these students will be asked to complete a Parent Observation Survey as additional data.
• Students identified through testing will be placed in 2nd grade will be placed in 3rd grade GT Cluster Classrooms. 

            GRADES 3-5

All students will receive the following GT services:

• All 3rd Grade students will receive Non-verbal ability assessment (NNAT) for second base line screening in the fall semester.
• Differentiated instruction from classroom educators
• Opportunities for GT identification testing throughout the year
• Identified students will be placed in GT Cluster Classrooms at the beginning of the following school year if identification occurs during their current year.

            Grades 2-5 Identified Gifted and Talented Students

Identified GT students will receive services designed by the campus GT facilitator (along with input from the student’s parents/guardians and classroom teacher) that best meet the student’s educational, social, and emotional needs.  The flexible system offers service options that provide a research-based learning continuum that is developed to meet the needs land reinforce the strengths and interests of GT students.  Services may be adjusted during the school year if needs change.