Gifted and Talented Education

Philosophy and policy

A variety of learning-rich environments in the early years form a solid foundation for a gifted and talented program. Our teachers provide enriched classrooms in which children’s talents can develop and be observed. We understand that some of our children will advance more quickly than others, and that they may require differentiation. We are prepared to meet those needs with a challenging curriculum in all four core subject areas.

Mission statement and goal

The mission of the UT Elementary gifted and talented program is to provide unique educational experiences to students identified as gifted in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, leadership, and creativity. We meet the needs of these students by differentiating those curricula. The differentiated curriculum will provide both self-directed and group learning experiences that promote higher-level thinking skills and abilities in problem solving.

Program description

The UT Elementary gifted and talented program challenges students beyond the opportunities afforded in the regular curriculum. Students in primary and secondary grade levels who have been identified as gifted in core subject areas are invited to participate in this program. The program provides options that include:

• Instructional and organizational patterns that allow students to work together in groups, work with other students, and work independently,
• A continuum of learning experiences that leads to the development of advanced products and performances,
• Options relevant to students’ strengths, and
• Opportunities to accelerate in areas of strength.

From Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 89.3, Subchapter A

Who is gifted and talented?

A gifted and talented student is defined by the State of Texas as one who “shows the potential for performing or performs at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to other children 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.”

Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, Chapter 29, Subchapter D

Gifted and talented students are identified as those who are capable of high performance by virtues of outstanding mental abilities. These students may demonstrate above-average achievement or potential in general intellectual ability, specific subject-matter aptitude, ability in creative and productive thinking, and leadership ability.

Professional development

Teachers who provide instruction to gifted and talented students are required to have completed 30 hours of gifted education training and to annually attend six hours of professional development follow-up training in gifted education. Administrators involved in program decisions are required to have completed a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes instruction in nature and needs of gifted and talented students and program options for gifted and talented education.

From Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 89.2, Subchapter A

Nominations

UT Elementary will solicit nominations of students from interested individuals. Our student nomination process begins when we receive a Student Observation Form. These forms may be submitted by parents, teachers, administrators, other school personnel, and community members. Nominations must be received no later than November 15 for grades 1 and up and no later than January 15 for Kindergarten students.

Assessment Windows

Assessment for the UT Elementary gifted and talented program will occur once per year. Nominations of students in grades 1 and up will be accepted through November 30 for assessment in December. Students in grades 1 and up identified as gifted will begin receiving services during the spring semester. Nominations of Kindergarten students will be accepted through January 30 for assessment in February. Kindergarten students identified as gifted will begin receiving services by March 1.

Parental Consent

Written parental consent will be obtained prior to the administration of any assessment for student identification. Additionally, written parental consent must be obtained prior to the student’s participation in gifted/talented programs. Parents have the right to refuse services.

Identification

The gifted and talented students will be identified using specially selected criteria established by the Gifted and Talented Committee at UT Elementary. The criteria are selected in line with the definitions of giftedness and the guidelines recommended in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students.

Assurances of Equity:

There are several measures we use to be certain that our families have equal access to screening and identifying their children. We selected these instruments to ensure a non-biased view of students regardless of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, culture, and special needs. First, the instruments described below have been nationally validated and tested for reliability. Second, a committee of at least three professionals will review the nominations and screening procedures. Third, both professionals at the school and community members will be involved in bringing forward the names of children who should be considered for screening.

The identification of gifted and talented students at UT Elementary involves the following steps:

Parent Notification and Opportunity to Observe

The first step in the process of identification involves notifying parents, school staff, and community members that the process is about to begin. Parents and others who wish the Gifted and Talented Committee to consider a child for the program will receive an informal Observation Form to note the child’s strengths. These observations will contribute to our understanding of the child’s abilities and strengths outside of school. If we do not receive an observation from a student’s parent, the student may still be recommended for screening based upon an observation from a school professional or from another community member. The Assessment process will begin once we have parental permission.

Teacher Notification and Opportunity to Observe

Teachers will observe students and complete rating scales that will act as nomination instruments for language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies screening.

Gifted and Talented Committee meeting to consider potential candidates for screening

The Gifted and Talented Committee at UT Elementary consists of the principal or designee, a teacher, and a specialist. Student observations brought forward for consideration will be weighed in light of our school profile and perceived needs of the student for differentiation in core subject areas. This committee will determine which students will be recommended for assessment.

Summary of Criteria for Identification

We use the following data in the evaluation of students for the gifted/talented program. The identification process involves administration of both quantitative (objective) and qualitative (subjective) measures. These instruments include:

Placement

The Campus Gifted and Talented Committee consisting of a teacher, the principal, and the specialist will review the assessment results of all nominees and the collected data to determine which students will be placed most appropriately in the gifted and talented program at UT Elementary School. In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, this committee will be comprised of at least three educators who have completed professional development in gifted and talented education. The G/T Committee will ensure equal opportunities for students regardless of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, culture, and special needs.

Notification

Parents and students will receive written notification of the Gifted and Talented Committee’s decisions; parents must provide written permission prior to the student’s participation in the program, which is voluntary.

Appeals

Parents may appeal the decisions of the Gifted and Talented Committee regarding selection for or removal from the gifted and talented program at UT Elementary. Appeals for re-evaluation and reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the principal, who will present the appeal to the Gifted and Talented Committee for review. All appeals must be made within ten school days of notification of the placement decision.

Transfer Students

When gifted students transfer into UTES, we will allow them to participate in our gifted and talented program pending a review of the student’s academic records indicating the services received. The Gifted and Talented Committee will meet within thirty days to evaluate the placement.

Furlough

Furloughs are temporary removals from the gifted and talented program put into effect following a written request from students or parents. In addition, the Gifted and Talented Committee may place students on furlough who are not maintaining adequate progress to meet the needs of the gifted and talented program at UT Elementary. At the end of a furlough a student may re-enter the program, be exited from the program, or we may extend the furlough depending on the student’s progress or the wishes of the student or parents.

We will document furlough status and place this information in the student’s cumulative folder. Students who do not re-enter the program following a furlough will be eligible to re-enter under the same process as new students.

Exit Policy

We will closely monitor students’ progress in the gifted and talented program to be sure that this is the most appropriate educational placement. Prior to exiting a student from the program, the Gifted and Talented Committee will document concerns and action steps necessary for improvement. If the student does not make adequate progress toward satisfying those requirements, he or she may be exited from the gifted and talented program.

UT Elementary’s Gifted and Talented teacher is Jan Evans.

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