August 29, 2013 CISD GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM PARENT INFORMATION MEETING

o GT students in grades 1-5 travels to Fannin on their grade level’s designated full day of instruction. o Students are a part of project-based learning where they complete projects using research methods and experiential learning. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

o We select our projects from the Texas Performance Standards Projects. o The project presentations at the end of the project are very important. We can assess learning, build confidence, and practice presentation skills. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Gifted and Talented students are those who perform at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and: (1)who exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative, or artistic area; (2)possess an unusual capacity for leadership; (3)or excels in a specific academic field. GIFTED AND TALENTED DEFINITION

o All Kindergarten and 5 th grade students are screened for the CISD Gifted and Talented program. o In Grades 1-4, students who are nominated for the GT program will be screened, provided parent/guardian permission for testing. CISD GT ELEMENTARY NOMINATIONS

o Nomination is the first step in the GT screening process. o Parents, teachers and peers may make nominations for grades 1-4. Parent and Teacher Nomination Window January CISD GT ELEMENTARY NOMINATIONS

 The first screening assessments every kindergarten student takes.  All kindergarteners will complete:  3 in class creative activities where we look for uniqueness and gifted characteristics.  NNAT-2  Online computer assessment that doesn’t involve reading but uses lines and shapes in patterns and comparisons. KINDERGARTEN GT SCREENING

 If the student is referred by the GT screening committee after the first two screening assessments, he/she will take:  The K-3 Sages-2 test for reading and social studies  The K-3 Sages-2 test for math and science.  The K-3 Sages-2 test for Reasoning. The K-3 Sages-2 test is a combined aptitude and achievement test for students Kindergarten through 3 rd grade. KINDERGARTEN GT SCREENING

All nominated 1 st – 3rd graders will complete:  3 creative activities that will be screen for uniqueness and gifted characteristics.  The K-3 Sages- 2 test for reading/social studies  The K-3 Sages-2 test for math/science  The K-3 Sages-2 test for reasoning. The K-3 Sages-2 test is a combined aptitude and achievement test for students in Kindergarten through 3 rd grade, and the 4-8 Sages-2 test is for students in 4 th through 8 th grade. GRADES 1-4 GT SCREENING

All nominated 4 th graders will complete:  3 creative activities that will be screen for uniqueness and gifted characteristics.  The 4-8 Sages- 2 test for reading/social studies  The 4-8 Sages-2 test for math/science  The 4-8 Sages-2 test for reasoning. The K-3 Sages-2 test is a combined aptitude and achievement test for students in Kindergarten through 3 rd grade, and the 4-8 Sages-2 test is for students in 4 th through 8 th grade. GRADES 1-4 GT SCREENING

All nominated 5 th graders will complete:  3 creative activities that will be screen for uniqueness and gifted characteristics.  The 4-8 Sages- 2 test for reading/social studies  The 4-8 Sages-2 test for math/science  The 4-8 Sages-2 test for reasoning. The 4-8 Sages-2 test is for students in 4 th through 8 th grade. 5 TH GRADE GT SCREENING

5 th graders will be placed in Drane Middle School 6 th grade GT program based on qualifying in two core areas:  Math and Science  English Language Arts and Social Studies Instead of being in a one day a week pull out program like in grades 1-4, they will be GT classes in the area or areas in which they qualified. Only GT students will be in the each GT class grouping. 5 TH GRADE GT PROGRAM AT DRANE

1.How many criteria are used to identify gifted children for the program?  5 criteria – K – 4th  3 criteria in each core area for 5th 2.What are the criteria that are used to screen or identify children for the gifted program?  NNAT 2 – quantitative (kindergarten only)  K-3 SAGES 2 - quantitative (K-3)  4-8 Sages- 2  Slocumb/Payne Teacher Survey – qualitative (K-4)  Student Portfolio Activities – qualitative (K-5) QUALIFICATION FOR GT

3.Are the criteria equally weighted?  YES! 4.Can a child qualify for the program with a low score on one component of the identification system if the other scores are appropriately strong?  YES!  Kindergarten has to meet 3 out of 5 criteria to qualify.  1-5 grade has to meet 2 out of 3 criteria in a core area to qualify.  5 th graders can qualify in Math/Science, English Language Arts, or both. QUALIFICATION FOR GT

 Identified Kindergarten students will receive G/T services beginning March 1st.  Students in grades 1st – 6th will receive G/T services beginning the next school year. IF IDENTIFIED, WHEN WILL MY CHILD START?

Bright Child… knows the answers. is interested. is attentive. has good ideas. works hard. answers questions. is in the top group. listens with interest. learns with ease. needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery. understands ideas. enjoys peers. grasps the meaning. completes assignments. is receptive. copies accurately. enjoys school. absorbs information. is a technician. is a good memorizer. enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation. is alert. is pleased with own learning. Gifted Learner… asks the questions. is highly curious. is mentally and physically involved. has wild, silly ideas. plays around, yet tests well. discusses in detail, elaborates. beyond the group. shows strong feelings. already knows. needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery. constructs abstractions. prefers adults. draws inferences. initiates projects. is intense. creates a new design. enjoys learning. manipulates information. is an inventor. is a good guesser. thrives on complexity. is keenly observant. is highly critical BRIGHT VS. GIFTED LEARNER