Gifted and Talented
SBISD has developed a three-level identification process to efficiently assess students’ needs for the special educational services provided in the Gifted and Talented Program. This three-level process is designed to be student-centered.
SBISD honors test scores for two years, beginning in 1st grade. Exceptions are made only for medical reasons documented by a physician. Students may be referred each year, but the previous year’s test scores will be utilized.
GT Identification Process
Referral Process
Anyone may refer a student for the GT program by contacting the student’s campus counselor before the deadline. The deadline is in early fall. Parents should complete the referral form online at https://sbgifted.schoolmint.net or complete the paper referral available from the counselor. The parent permission session of the referral form must be completed for the district to evaluate a child.
Level One
Data is collected through 3 measures: Planned Experiences, Teacher Inventories, and a Parent Referral Form. At least one of these three measures must clearly indicate gifted characteristics for a student to move to Level 2. Parents are notified by letter of results in mid-November. Results of level 1 will be sent home by the school in mid November.
Level Two
Norm-referenced abilities testing is administered to gather data on verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal sub-tests. Students can be identified GT in either Language Arts/Social Studies and/or Mathematics/Science at the end of Level 2. If a child was tested in level 2 during the previous school year, they will not be tested a second year in row. New data collected in level one and last year's test scores will be reviewed by the identification committee. This rule does not apply to first grade students. If students were referred in kinder, did not qualify for services, and are referred again in first grade, testing will only occur if a child advances to level 2. Parents are notified of results by letter from the school in early March.
Level Three
Evaluation is by invitation only, based on exceptionally high test scores from Level 2. With parent permission, one-on-one IQ testing is administered to determine whether a child may be highly gifted. Parents are notified by letter of results. For more information about the Spring Branch Academic Institute please Click Here.
Appeals
Important Dates:
Parent referral window: Sept 19 through Oct 22 GT Awareness Presentations: Sept 18 & 20 (English) and Sept 19 (Spanish) Level One Results sent home - Nov 9 Level Two testing window - Nov 26 through Dec 14 Level Two results sent home - Feb 19, 2019 Appeals due - Apr 29, 2019Referral Forms:
Refer online (preferred):avail 9/19/18 - 10/22/18 https://sbgifted.schoolmint.net Paper forms due 10/22/18 English Parent Referral Spanish Parent ReferralShould I refer my Child?
GT Services
K, 1st, 2nd
Primary Gifted Program (PGP)
In addition to daily GT services in their classrooms, GT services are provided through a pull-out program that takes place at their home campuses. Students are pulled out of their classrooms for services 90 to 120 minutes a week. Pull-out instruction focuses on the development of independent research skills, developing products and on meeting the social-emotional needs of GT students.
3rd, 4th, 5th
SPIRAL
In addition to daily GT services in their classrooms, identified GT students in grades 3-5 are offered GT services through a pull-out program that takes place at the Bendwood campus. Students are bussed from their home campuses one day a week for a full day of services with identified GT students from other campuses. Instruction in the SPIRAL program at Bendwood is interdisciplinary. Units of study are designed to provide the depth and complexity that GT students need, while also addressing their social-emotional needs.
Secondary
Identified GT students in grades 6-12 are provided services specific to their identified areas of giftedness: language arts/social studies and/or mathematics/science. GT students may be grouped in GT-only classes, clustered in Pre-AP/AP classes, or IB classes. The grouping varies by school, grade level, and subject area. Check with your school for additional information.
Acceleration
Acceleration is offered in math as a single subject or a whole grade can be skipped. The passing requirements are different depending if students have had prior instruction.
Credit by Exam is offered four times a year, once in June and once in July, at the SBISD Administration Building, and once in the fall and once in the spring at the student’s home campus.
Each campus receives information regarding acceleration and credit by examination. Registration for exams other than Spanish and French begins the week after Spring Break each year.
The school counselor at each campus is the contact for credit by exam testing.
More information, dates, and forms can be found here:LINK TO CBE TESTING PAGE