CISD Gifted/Talented Interventions
Assessment and Identification
What does it mean to be "gifted"?
Texas State Plan for GT Education
Please find state guidelines for Gifted and Talented Education here.
What does CISD say about Gifted and Talented Learners?
Gathering Assessment Data
All Kindergarten and First Grade learners are assessed/screened to determine if they are demonstrating a need for Gifted and Talented interventions/services. Thus, GT is not a place or class to which a learner goes. It is a service that he/she receives based on the data collected according to our Texas State Plan. At least three pieces of data, both qualitative and quantitative, are collected to support the decision that a learner is demonstrating a need for services. This is an on going process that can take many weeks to complete and it is conducted by GT Specialists and well trained classroom educators. Please see the chart below for examples of data points used in this process.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Learners who demonstrate a need will receive:
- Individualized, tailored instruction
- Learning opportunities based on interest, learning style, academic need
- Services that are appropriately challenging and fluid, based on pre assessments and daily performance
Things to Remember
- Assessment and identification is a process that can take many weeks to complete.
- A variety of data points are considered, both qualitative and quantitative.
- GT Specialist and classroom teachers work together to make the best possible decisions for learners.
- There is no need to request testing in Kindergarten, first grade, third grade, or fifth grade as they are universal screening years.
- If a CogAT or other nationally normed standardized test is given, those scores are valid for two years.
- There is no way to practice, prepare, or "work on" being gifted.