Equity in GT Education
Texas State Initiative
Equity in GT Education
The goal of the Equity in Gifted/Talented Education is to encourage equitable representation of student populations in G/T programs throughout the state. This site provides tools and resources for districts that can be used to inform local policies and assess and modify current services to meet community needs. Texas school districts can provide learning opportunities that build bright futures for all students through assuring access to G/T assessment, identification, and services for students from diverse populations.
Economically Disadvantaged Students & GT Services
Please read through each of the catetgores below, discuss as a table, and collaborate to create a free form map of the following:
English Language Learners
Characteristics
Gifted ELLs are sometimes overlooked during the identification process. Among the barriers to identification are:
- Gifted ELLs may exhibit characteristics that are different from their native English speaking peers
- Children who are less than fluent in English are sometimes incorrectly viewed as having lower cognitive abilities than their fluent English speaking peers
- Language differences often coincide with cultural differences
Source: Annenberg Institute for School Reform, 2013
Identifying Linguistically Diverse Gifted Students
The Varied Faces of Giftedness chart is designed to help show general differences among groups of learners within the gifted population.
Identifying and meeting the needs of gifted ELLs is a complex but critical issue. To understand more about best practices for gifted ELLs, download the NAGC Position Statement.
Download Identifying Gifted and Talented English Language Learners (Grades K-12).
Become Culturally Aware!
Twice Exceptional Students
A "twice-exceptional learner" 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 (TEC 29.121).
...and who also gives evidence of one or more disabilities as defined by federal or state eligibility (IDEA, 2004) (300.8) (Section 504) criteria such as:
- learning disabilities;
- speech and language disorders;
- emotional/behavioral disorders;
- physical disabilities;
- traumatic brain injury;
- autism spectrum disorder; or
- other health impairments such as ADHD