Gifted & Talented - Spring Branch Independent School District

Overview

What does it mean for a student to be identified for gifted and talented services?

A gifted/talented student 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. Gifted students:

exhibit high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;
possess an unusual capacity for leadership; or
excel in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code §29.121)

SBISD has developed an identification process to efficiently assess a student's need for the special educational services provided in the Gifted and Talented Program. This process is designed to be student-centered and collect a preponderance of data to determine if a student is in need of gifted services. If you have referred your student in previous years you may do so again by submitting the online referral form (español) . Referrals can be submitted for Kindergarten - 11th grade students, excluding KIPP Courage and YES Prep at Northbrook.

GT Identification Process

Referral Process

Level One

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.

A score of 100 represents average and the gifted range begins with a score of 130. Parents are notified of results by letter from the school in March. Students new to SBISD that tested during the summer may not be tested again during the school year.

Level Three

Appeals

Students that do not qualify for services may submit an appeal with supporting evidence that provides additional information for the identification committee to consider. Appeals are due to the school counselor by April 26th. Please see below for a link to the appeals brochure for more information.

Appeals Brochure

A link to appeal committee decisions will be available in March 2022

Timeline

GT Identification Timeline

Sept. 15 - Oct. 22
GT Referral Window
Should I Refer My Child for GT?
(Referral window closes Oct. 22)

October - January
GT evaluations on campuses

Results sent to parents and
guardians on or before
March 1st through Skyward

Services for identified students will
begin in the fall of the year
following GT identification.

Upcoming Referral Events

Fall 2021

Referral window for the 2021-2022 school year is September 15th - October 22nd.
Complete the online referral form (español) to initiate the evaluation process.

Transfer Students

If your child transferred to SBISD from another district where your child received gifted services, please, use the transfer referral form (español) to refer your child for GT consideration at SBISD. The Advanced Academics office will review your child's records and contact you with next steps. You will also need to submit records from the previous district confirming your child's GT status.

GT Services

K, 1st, 2nd

3rd, 4th, 5th

SPIRAL

Our purpose is to support the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research. Approximately 900 children spend one day per week in a challenging program, at the Bendwood campus, that increases reasoning and accelerates learning though the development of multiple intelligences, leadership characteristics, and higher level thinking skills. Working together, we will achieve the vision where giftedness and high potential are fully recognized, universally valued, and actively nurtured to support children from all backgrounds in reaching for their personal best and contributing to their communities.

Bendwood offers experiences for gifted and talented students that develop the intellect, encourage achievement, and nurture academic and personal goals. Our students participate in a more elaborate, in-depth study of major topics, and engage in problem solving that integrates knowledge across systems of thought. In addition, our teachers encourage students to demonstrate leadership qualities, high-level practical skills, and a capacity for creative thinking.

Secondary

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

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