Purpose of Meeting Introductions Characteristics of the Gifted Identification Process Questions

GT Awareness Parent Meeting Gifted and Talented Characteristics and Identification MONTGOMERY ISD

What is giftedness? "Gifted and talented student" means a child or youth who 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 and who: 1. exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; 2. possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or 3. excels in a specific academic field. From

Characteristics of Gifted Children Keen power of observation Power of abstraction, conceptualization, synthesis, interest in problem solving Questioning attitude, intrinsic motivation Critical thinker, self-checking Creativeness and inventiveness

Characteristics of Gifted Children (continued) Power of concentration, long attention span Persistent, goal-directed behavior Sensitivity, intuitiveness, empathy for others Independence in work and study with preference for individual work Diversity of interests and abilities Found in all cultural groups, all races, and all economic groups

Aren’t all students gifted? Don’t confuse “giftedness” with “personal strengths” Identifying needs of students is important when they vary significantly from his/her classmates. It’s not about worth. It’s about need.

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High AchieverGifted LearnerCreative Thinker Remembers the answersPoses unforeseen questionsSees exceptions Is interestedIs curiousWonders Is attentiveIs selectively mentally engagedDaydreams; may seem off task Generates advanced ideasGenerates complex, abstract ideas Overflows with ideas, many of which will never be developed Works hard to achieveKnows without working hardPlays with ideas and concepts Answers the questions in detailPonders with depth and multiple perspectivesInjects new possibilities Performs at the top of the groupIs beyond the groupIs in own group Responds with interest and opinions Exhibits feelings and opinions from multiple perspectives Shares bizarre, sometimes conflicting opinions Learns with easeAlready knowsQuestions: What if... Needs 6 to 8 repetitions to masterNeeds 1 to 3 repetitions to masterQuestions the need for mastery Comprehends at a high level Comprehends in-depth, complex ideas Overflows with ideas--many of which will never be developed Enjoys the company of age peers Prefers the company of intellectual peers Prefers the company of creative peers, but often works alone Understands complex, abstract humorCreates complex, abstract humorRelishes wild, off-the-wall humor Grasps the meaningInfers and connects conceptsMakes mental leaps: Aha! Completes assignments on time Initiates projects and extensions of assignments Initiates more projects than will ever be completed Is receptiveIs intenseIs independent and unconventional Is accurate and completeIs original and continually developing Enjoys school oftenEnjoys self-directed learningEnjoys creating Absorbs informationManipulates informationImprovises Is a technician with expertise in a field Is an expert who abstracts beyond the field Is an inventor and idea generator Memorizes wellGuesses and infers wellCreates and brainstorms well Is highly alert and observantAnticipates and relates observationsIs intuitive Is pleased with own learningIs self-criticalIs never finished with possibilities Gets A'sMay not be motivated by grades Is ableIs intellectualIs idiosyncratic

Student Identification Process Screening – Level One Classroom Planned Experiences (K-5) Free Association Screening Tool Parent survey Teacher Survey District Universal Screening Data (Nationally Normed) If the child’s scores indicate the need for further testing, they will move on to Level Two and will be tested. Testing – Level Two Must score in the top 5%

Calendar and Timelines September 17- Community GT Awareness Meeting October 9- Referral Deadline November 20 -Notification to parents regarding Level 1 mailed November 30 – December 10 Level 2 Testing of those who qualified February 12- Notification to parents of kindergarten students regarding Level 2 mailed February 29 -Kindergarten services begin April 15 – Notification to parents of students in grades 1-11 regarding Level 2 mailed May 13- Appeals due to campus counselor May 20- Appeals portfolios due May District level appeals June 6- Appeals notification to parents August st-12th grade services begin

Program Components Elementary Level GT pullout class K – 4 (one day a week) Cluster grouping in the regular classroom Differentiation as appropriate Secondary Level Independent study class available to high school junior and seniors Pre-AP, AP, Dual Credit Differentiation as appropriate Other Components Destination Imagination Fine Arts electives Clubs Contests

More Information and Forms MISD Website: Follow this path: Departments Curriculum and Instruction Student Services Gifted and Talented Questions? Please contact your child’s counselor