TOMBALL I.S.D. GT PROGRAM INFORMATION : AN EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PROGRAM NOMINATION

MEETING THE NEEDS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS Intellectual Needs  Pace is matched to student ability and achievement  Depth and Complexity is a target for all activities Affective  Social and Emotional  relationships are nurtured.

BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE GT PROGRAM Qualified teachers are trained to meet the nature and needs of gifted students. GT Specialist support for curriculum and materials. Opportunities to practice critical thinking and develop leadership. Opportunity to attend GT conferences. Opportunity to participate in extended research projects (PSP).

CURRICULAR INTERVENTION Elementary  GT teacher/specialist collaboration  Differentiated curriculum  Special math groups  Special literature groups (problems/solutions in literature)  Self-selected research(PSP)

CURRICULAR INTERVENTION Intermediate  GT teacher/specialist collaboration  Acceleration  Pre-AP  Performance Standard Project

CURRICULAR INTERVENTION Junior High  Advanced classes  Differentiated Instruction  Pre-AP High School  Advanced Placement  Dual Credit

 UIL  Destination Imagination  Chess Club  Honor Choir  Camp Invention  Continental Math League  Scrabble Club  TMSCA  Drama  Fine Arts  Scholastic Writing  Science Fair  LEGO Robotics EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ( VARIES BY CAMPUS)

IDENTIFYING THE GIFTED

IDENTIFICATION PROCESS 1.Nomination Students may be nominated in the fall if they are new to the district Spring nomination is open to students currently enrolled 2.Screening - May only screen a student once a year due to the norms established by the testing materials 3. Testing 4. Selection Committees School Committee District Committee 5.Placement - Fall placement begins immediately -Spring placement begins the next school year. -Kindergarten services begin March 1 st. **Transfers

Objective MeasuresSubjective Measures AbilityAchievementParent Survey Portfolio (optional) Creativity (optional) Olsat / Naglieri Reading SAT Math SAT Science SAT Social Studies SAT ParentTeacher Criteria Cs 3+ Student Score Criteria Met Tomball ISD Scoring Matrix for GT Testing Table shows minimum score for entering the program.

T.I.S.D. COMMITMENT The Tomball Independent School District GT Program is aligned with the Texas State Plan for the Gifted. TISD is committed to providing opportunities for students to showcase their talents. TISD is committed to meeting the academic and affective needs of gifted students from K-12.

FAQ 1.Will there be more work? No, there should not be more work; there should be work that challenges the student at his/her level. 2.What happens if a child does not qualify this year? Students may be nominated for the program once a year. 3. What happens if a child qualifies but does not perform well in the program? A meeting will be held with the parents after the specialist analyzes data and observes the student at work in the classroom. A decision may be made to either furlough the student if the student is experiencing something traumatic, or the student may be exited from the program. 4.Does a child ever have to be retested? Student performance will be reviewed before entering Pre-AP/Accelerated programs at Grade Is a record of the testing kept? Yes, GT specialists keep a record of the testing that has been completed. 6. How many students are in the program? TISD’s GT program includes approximately 8% of the student population in the entire district.

CAMPUS SPECIALISTS Canyon Pointe Elementary – Lucia Harris Decker Prairie Elementary – Anne Smith Lakewood Elementary – Whitney Bilyeu Rosehill Elementary – Jennifer Bull Tomball Elementary – Kay Sitgreaves Willow Creek Elementary – Angeleen French Creekside Forest Elementary –Catherine Karamath

CAMPUS SPECIALISTS Northpointe Intermediate – Julie Bowles Tomball Intermediate – Stephanie Scott

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? CONTACT YOUR CAMPUS GT SPECIALIST