GIFTED AND TALENTED Click here to visit the GT website.

GT Parent/Teacher Workshop

Exceptional Kids need Exceptional Parenting - Raising GT Kids pdf: May 15, 2008

 

Initiated in 1974, the gifted and talented program serves the intellectually gifted who are within the top 95 to 99 percentile nationally on standardized tests. FISD's approach provides for differentiation in both the regular and gifted classrooms. An emphasis is placed on higher level thinking abilities and the creation of real and original student products.

Curriculum differentiation is provided for students in kindergarten through 12th grade by teachers who have extensive training in providing for the needs of the gifted learner in Friendswood ISD. Teachers of the gifted are specially trained to work with gifted students.

 

The regular classroom teachers teaching gifted students in cluster groupings have at least 30 hours of staff development in teaching strategies and the nature and needs of the gifted learner. 

 

The Friendswood Independent School District is committed to providing support for all students to enable them to reach their potential. Friendswood's curriculum is designed to meet the needs of gifted students, some may require special services. The K - 3 gifted program is called SEARCH, in 6-8 grades students are provided are pre-advanced placement opportunities. At the High School a HUMANITIES program is offered to gifted students in grades 9 & 10 and advanced placement opportunities at grades 9-12.

 

NOMINATION

Students may be nominated for the gifted and talented program at any grade level by teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested persons. Contact shall be made with nominated students and/or their parents to determine interest in pursuing the program further.

 

IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA

Criteria to identify gifted and talented students shall be established in the Board-approved program for the gifted and talented. The criteria shall be specific to the state definition of gifted and talented and shall ensure the fair assessment of students with special needs, such as the culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

 

PARENTAL CONSENT

Written parental consent shall be obtained before any special testing or individual assessment is conducted as part of the screening and identification process. All student information collected during the screening and identification process shall be an educational record, subject to the protections set out in policies at FL.

 

SELECTION

A selection committee shall evaluate each nominated student according to the established criteria and shall select those students for whom gifted program placement is the most appropriate educational setting. The committee shall be composed of at least three professional educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students and shall be established at the elementary level and at the secondary level.

 

ASSESSMENTS

Data collected through both objective and subjective assessments shall be measured against the criteria approved by the Board to determine individual eligibility for the program. Assessment tools shall include tests measuring achievement, intelligence, and various aptitudes. Subjective data shall also be collected and shall include at least one of the following:

1. Student interview
2. Autobiography
3. Portfolio
4. Characteristics of giftedness
5. Behavioral checklist completed by teachers and parents
6. Teacher observations of classroom performance
7. Student work products

 

NOTIFICATION

Parents and students shall be notified in writing upon selection of the student for the gifted program. Participation in any program or services provided for gifted students is voluntary. The District shall obtain written permission of the students and the parents before a student is placed in a gifted program.

 

REASSESSMENTS

The District shall review student placement before entering junior high school and shall reassess when recommended by the committee or when the student's lack of performance dictates.

 

TRANSFER STUDENTS

When a student identified as gifted by a previous school district transfers into the District, the student's records shall be reviewed by the selection committee to determine if placement in the District's program for gifted and talented students is appropriate. The committee shall make its determination within 30 school days of the student's enrollment in the District and shall base its decision on the transferred records, observation reports of District teachers who instruct the student, and student and parent conferences. Additional testing may be necessary and shall be conducted during the 30-day timeline.

 

FURLOUGH

Students who are unable to maintain satisfactory performance within the structure of the gifted and talented program may be placed on furlough by the selection committee. The purpose of such a furlough is to provide the student an opportunity to attain performance goals established by the selection committee. A furlough also may be granted at the request of the student and/or parent.

A student may be furloughed for a period of time deemed appropriate by the selection committee. At the end of the furlough, the student's progress shall be reassessed, and the student may reenter the gifted program, be removed from the program, or be placed on another furlough.

 

EXIT PROVISIONS

Student performance in the program shall be monitored. A student shall be removed from the program at any time the selection committee determines it is in the student's best interest. If a student or parent requests removal from the program, the selection committee shall meet with the parent and student before honoring the request.

 

APPEALS

Parents or students may appeal any final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for or removal from the gifted program. Appeal shall be made first to the selection committee. Any subsequent appeals shall be made in accordance with FNG(LOCAL) beginning at Level Two.

 

PROGRAM EVALUATION

The gifted program shall be evaluated periodically, and evaluation information shall be shared with Board members, administrators, teachers, counselors, students in the gifted and talented program, and the community.

 

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

The District shall ensure that information about the District's gifted and talented program is available to parents and community members and that they have an opportunity to develop an understanding of and support for the program.

 

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of the program for gifted students must have a minimum of six hours annually (from June 1 through May 31) of professional development in gifted education.

To obtain information concerning any of these programs, call the counselor at your child's school.

 

CONTACT

Friendswood ISD

302 Laurel

281-482-1267

Sherry Green , Assistant Superintendent for Instruction