GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR ACADEMICALLY GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS

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1 GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR ACADEMICALLY GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS School Board Approved (5/27/11) Nondiscrimination Granbury ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, economic status, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page State Goal for Gifted Students 3 State Definition of Gifted/Talented 3 Granbury ISD s Definition of Gifted/Talented 3 Granbury ISD's Gifted/Talented Program Mission and Vision Statement 4 Identification Procedures and Processes 5-6 Referral, Screening, Qualification 7-9 Additional Policies and Procedures Transfer Procedure 10 Furlough Procedure 10 Exit Procedure 10 Appeal Process 11 Evaluation of Program 11 Community Awareness 11 Provision of Services Professional Development Common Program Forms Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 2

3 STATE GOAL FOR SERVICES FOR GIFTED STUDENTS Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment and reflect individuality and creativity. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services. -Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students STATE DEFINITION OF GIFTED/TALENTED STUDENT DEFINITION: In this subchapter, "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. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, 1, eff. May 30, GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S DEFINITION OF GIFTED 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 exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or excels in a specific academic field. Education Code Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 3

4 GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S GOAL FOR THE GIFTED/TALENTED SERVICES Gifted & Talented Program GISD s Gifted and Talented students will fully develop their intellectual, leadership, creative and artistic potential through participation in an exemplary district program with highly trained, passionate teachers who guide them to create a personal vision which nurtures their unique abilities and allows them to participate in local, state, national and international 21 st century learning opportunities. GT Steering Committee Vision The GT Steering Committee is a dynamic, solution-oriented group which will create and review standardized district procedures, processes and programs to meet and exceed the state exemplary level through: Research, Program/GT Student Advocacy, Campus Communication and Support, Curriculum Support, Professional Development, Program Integrity, Parental/Community Support and Student Recognition Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 4

5 IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND PROCESSESS K-12 Granbury Independent School District has board approval on the identification procedures and processes of students K-12 for the services of the Gifted/Talented Program. These procedures meet state requirements ( & TAC 89.1) and have been designed to ensure the identification of any student who demonstrates educational need for the services of the program under the established guidelines. Texas Administrative Code 89.1: Student Assessment. School districts shall develop written policies on student identification that are approved by the local board of trustees and disseminated to parents. The policies must: (1) Include provisions for ongoing screening and selection of students who perform, or show potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment in the areas defined in the Texas Education Code, ; (2) Include assessment measures collected from multiple sources according to each area defined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students; (3) Include data and procedures designed to ensure that students from all populations in the district have access to the assessment process and, if identified as having significant educational need for advanced academics, services for the gifted/talented program; (4) Provide for final qualification of students (through a blind process) to be made by a committee of at least three local district educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students; and (5) Include provisions regarding furloughs, reassessment, exiting of students from program services, transfer students, and appeals of district decisions regarding program placement. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 5

6 GISD BOARD POLICY ON IDENTIFICATION Students shall be identified as gifted/talented in accordance with a written policy that includes: 1. Provisions for ongoing screening and selection of students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment in the areas defined in Education Code Assessment measures collected from multiple sources according to each area defined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. 3. Data and procedures designed to ensure that students from all populations in the District have access to assessment and, if identified, to services provided for the gifted/talented program. 4. Provisions for final selection of students to be made by a committee of at least three local District educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students. 5. Provisions regarding furloughs, reassessment, exiting of students from program services, transfer students, and appeals of District decisions regarding program placement. 19 TAC 89.1 District Identification Timeline: Referral procedures published in local newspaper and on district website and District/Campus GT Meetings held Nominations accepted from parents, teachers, school officials Screenings, assessment and identification conducted after written parental permission obtained Gifted/Talented committee meets on kindergarten screenings Written parental permission for services obtained for identified students in grades K January January January - March February February Services begin for identified kindergarten students Prior to March 1 Gifted/Talented committee meets on grade 1-12 screenings Written parental permission for services obtained for identified students in grades 1-12 Services begin for identified students May May August Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 6

7 REFERRAL, SCREENING, QUALIFICATION K-12 DISSEMINATING INFORMATION Parents are informed of the identification policies through the district or campus handbook, and/or the district website, and/or by request of the written policy and procedures for the Gifted/Talented program. In addition, parent awareness sessions are held annually. NOMINATION/REFERRAL Students may be nominated/referred for the gifted and talented program at any time by teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested persons. Students are nominated with a formal Referral Form to be given to the campus office. SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION PROCESS The District shall provide assessment opportunities to complete the screening and identification process for nominated/referred students at least once per school year. PARENTAL CONSENT The District shall obtain written parental consent before any special testing or individual assessment is conducted as part of the screening and identification process. All student information collected during the screening and identification process shall be an educational record, subject to the protections set out in policies. IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA The Board-approved program for the gifted and talented shall establish criteria to identify gifted and talented students. The criteria shall be specific to the state definition of gifted and talented and shall ensure the fair assessment of students with special needs, such as the culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 7

8 ASSESSMENTS Data collected through both objective and subjective assessments shall be measured against the criteria approved by the Board to determine individual eligibility for the program. Assessment tools may include, but are not limited to, the following: achievement tests, intelligence tests, creativity tests, behavioral checklists completed by teachers and parents, student/parent conferences, and available student work products. REASSESSMENT The District shall reassess students to determine appropriate program placement when a student moves from grade 3 to grade 4. ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS The criteria used will be a combination of qualitative and quantitative instruments and may include: School Abilities Test such as the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) Achievement Test such as the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students Edition 2 (SAGES2), or other achievement tests as deemed appropriate for the student; Teacher and/or Parent Surveys Student interview; and/or Student product/portfolio Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 8

9 SELECTION A selection committee shall evaluate each nominated/referred student according to the established criteria and shall identify those students for whom placement in the gifted and talented program is the most appropriate educational setting. The committee shall be composed of at least three professional educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students, as required by law, and shall be established at each campus. The Gifted/Talented Committee makes a professional judgment based on the recorded student profile data. As the committee evaluates the data on the students nominated, the committee has three options: The preponderance of profile data indicates the student exhibits educational need and would benefit from the services offered in the Gifted/Talented. There is insufficient evidence in the documentation at this time indicating the student's educational needs would best be met by the Gifted/Talented program. The preponderance of evidence indicates the student s educational needs would best be served with the services of the regular curriculum. Further information is requested for the committee to make a qualification decision. NOTIFICATION The District shall provide written notification to parents of students who qualify for services through the District s gifted and talented program. Participation in any program or services provided for gifted students shall be voluntary, and the District shall obtain written permission from the parents before placing a student in a gifted program. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 9

10 ADDITIONAL POLICES AND PROCEDURES TRANSFER OF STUDENTS INTERDISTRICT When a student identified as gifted by a previous school district enrolls in the District, the District shall place the student in the District s program for gifted and talented students for the remainder of the current school year. The District shall assess the student during the next annual screening period using the District s established identification criteria, and the selection committee shall determine if continued placement in the District s program for gifted and talented students is appropriate. INTRADISTRICT A student who transfers from one campus in the District to the same grade level at another District campus shall continue to receive services in the District s gifted and talented program. FURLOUGH PROCEDURE The District may place on a furlough any student who is unable to maintain satisfactory performance or whose educational needs are not being met within the structure of the gifted and talented program. A furlough may be initiated by the District, the parent, or the student. In accordance with administrative regulations, a furlough shall be granted for specified reasons and for a specified period of time. At the end of a furlough, the student may reenter the gifted program, be placed on another furlough, or be exited from the program. EXIT PROVISIONS The District shall monitor student performance in the program. If at any time the selection committee determines it is in the best interest of the student and his or her educational needs, the committee may exit a student from the program. If a student or parent requests removal from the program, the selection committee shall meet with the parent and student before honoring the request. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 10

11 APPEALS A parent or student may appeal any final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for or exit from the gifted program. Appeals shall be made first to the selection committee. Any subsequent appeals shall be made in accordance with FNG(LOCAL) beginning at Level Two. PROGRAM EVALUATION The District shall annually evaluate the effectiveness of the District s gifted program, and the results of the evaluation shall be used to modify and update the District and campus improvement plans. The District shall include parents in the evaluation process and shall share the information with Board members, administrators, teachers, counselors, students in the gifted and talented pro-gram, and the community. COMMUNITY AWARENESS The District shall ensure that information about the District s gifted and talented program is available to parents and community members and that they have an opportunity to develop an understanding of and support for the program. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 11

12 PROVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES Granbury Independent School District offers a variety of learning experiences and opportunities for Gifted/Talented students in grades K-12 which meet the mandates of the Texas Administrative Code. These services include, but are not limited to, integrating Depth and Complexity into the curriculum, requiring advanced level products and performances, and allowing identified Gifted/Talented students the opportunity to work with other identified students. Texas Administrative Code Student Services School districts shall provide an array of learning opportunities for gifted/talented students in kindergarten through Grade 12 and shall inform parents of the opportunities. Options must include: (1) Instructional and organizational patterns that enable identified students to work together as a group, to work with other students, and to work independently; (2) A continuum of learning experiences that leads to the development of advanced-level products and performances as well as differentiated strategies in the regular classroom and the Pre-AP and AP classrooms; (3) In-school and, when possible, out-of-school options relevant to the student's area of strength that are available during the entire school year; and (4) Opportunities to accelerate in areas of strength. A continuum of learning experiences will be provided in the Gifted/Talented services which lead to the development of advanced-level products and/or performances. Such services will include use of depth and complexity elements, differentiation of content, process and/or product in the regular or Pre-AP/AP classroom, a pull-out program, participation in regional Gifted/Talented student seminars, independent studies, participation in the Texas Performance Standards Project, concurrent or dual-enrollment classes, and other services as deemed appropriate for the student. Services are available in all four core academic areas including Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Identified students will work independently, with other identified students, and with students of other abilities. Documentation of services will be maintained and parents will be notified of in-school and out-of-school options during the school year that are relevant to the needs of the gifted and talented students. Progress reports may be included in the student s report card. Credit by Examination is available through Texas Tech to assist students in acceleration through classes and/or grade levels. For more information on Credit by Examination, contact the GT Coordinator. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 12

13 GISD BOARD POLICY ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES The District shall provide an array of learning opportunities for gifted/talented students in kindergarten through grade 12 and shall inform parents of the opportunities. Options shall include: 1. Instructional and organizational patterns that enable identified students to work together as a group, to work with other students, and to work independently. 2. A continuum of learning experiences that leads to the development of advancedlevel products and performances. 3. In-school, and when possible, out-of-school options relevant to the student s area of strength that are available during the school year. 4. Opportunities to accelerate in areas of strength. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 13

14 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ONGOING TRAINING IN GIFTED EDUCATION Granbury Independent School District is committed to providing its staff with appropriate and meaningful professional development which enables the staff to meet the unique and individual educational needs of all students including services for gifted/talented students. It is important that all staff who are responsible for formally servicing these students obtain appropriate training for educating the gifted child. The district will require at least the minimum hours of training as mandated by the state: Texas Administrative Code Professional Development 1. Prior to assignment in the program, teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students have a minimum of 30 hours of staff development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessing student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students; 2. Teachers without training required in paragraph (1) of this section who provide instruction and services that are part of the gifted/talented program must complete the 30-hour training requirement within one semester; 3. Teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the program for gifted students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in gifted education; and 4. Administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options. Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 14

15 GISD BOARD POLICY REGARDING GT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The District shall ensure that: 1. Before assignment to the program for gifted students, teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of the program have a minimum of 30 hours of staff development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students, assessment of student needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students. 2. Teachers without the required training who provide instruction and services that are part of the gifted/talented program complete the 30-hour training requirement within one semester. 3. Teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of a program for gifted students receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in gifted education. 4. Administrators and counselors who have authority for program decisions have a minimum of six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted/talented students and program options. 19 TAC 89.2 Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 15

16 Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Forms Identification Parent Mtgs. & Referral Announcement (letter & press release) G/T Identification Process & Flowcharts Referral Form Parent Consent to Assess Parent Survey (K-5) - English 30 Parent Survey (K-5) - Spanish 31 Parent Survey (6-12) English/Spanish Elementary Teacher Survey 36 Secondary Teacher Survey Student Interview Secondary Student Profile Sheet and Committee Signatures (K-5) 45 Student Profile Sheet and Committee Signatures (6-12) 46 Committee letter for G/T placement & Parent Program Permission Committee DNQ letter for non-placement of student Program Services Furlough/Exit from Services Rubric for 30-hour Required Professional Development 55 Personnel Responsibilities PEIMS Form 56 Campus Administrator Checklist 57 Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 16

17 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF REFERRAL PERIOD (Put in 3 rd Six Weeks Report Card Mailings) January 1 January 31 Every year, parents, teachers and community members are invited to attend campus meetings to gain information regarding Gifted and Talented (GT) Identification & Programming. These meetings will discuss GT screening & identification processes and GT curriculum plan. The GISD GT Campus Meetings will be held on the following dates at each campus: Acton Elementary Brawner Intermediate Emma Robertson Elementary Mambrino Elementary Nettie Baccus Elementary Oak Woods Elementary Acton Middle School Granbury Middle School Crossland Ninth Grade Center Granbury High School Date Start Time Place Additionally, each year all students in Kindergarten and Third Grade are screened for GT Identification. Parents, teachers and school officials may nominate students in any other grade by completing a GISD GT Nomination Form. These forms are available at every campus in the school s main office. Please feel free to attend any of the GISD Campus GT Meetings to learn more about GT Services, or contact Becky Strain, GISD GT Coordinator, at Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 17

18 ANUNCIO PÚBLICO DEL PERIODO DE RECOMENDACIÓN (Put in 3 rd Six Weeks Report Card Mailings) 1ro de Enero 31 de Enero Cada año, padres, maestros y miembros de la comunidad son invitados a asistir a reuniones en las escuelas para obtener información con referencia a la identificación y programa Académicamente Avanzados (GT) Estas reuniones cubrirán la evaluación para Académicamente Avanzados y el proceso de identificación y el plan de currículo para los Académicamente Avanzados. Las reunionés para Académicamente Avanzados del de GISD serán en las siguientes fechas en cada escuela: Acton Elementary Brawner Intermediate Emma Robertson Elementary Mambrino Elementary Nettie Baccus Elementary Oak Woods Elementary Acton Middle School Granbury Middle School Crossland Ninth Grade Center Granbury High School Fecha Fecha de Comienzo Lugar Adicionalmente, cada año los estudiantes de Kínder a Tercer grado son pre-evaluados para la Identificación de Académicamente Avanzados. Padres, maestros y oficiales de la escuela pueden nominar a los estudiantes en cualquier otro grado llenando la Forma para Nominación de GISD para GT. Estas formas están disponibles en la oficina principal de cada escuela. Por favor siéntase libre te asistir a cualquiera de las reuniones de GISD en las escuelas para aprender más acerca de los servicios de GT o contacte a Becky Strain, Coordinadora de GT de GISD, al Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 18

19 Press Release January 1 January 31 GIFTED AND TALENTED MEETINGS SLATED FOR PARENTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January Granbury ISD will be holding parent meetings regarding the district Gifted and Talented program during January and February. Every year, parents and community members are invited to attend campus meetings to gain information regarding gifted and talented programs, commented curriculum coordinator Becky Strain. These meetings will discuss the screening and identification processes as well as the curriculum plan. Parents, guardians, and interested community members are encouraged to attend the meetings at the school that their student will attend in the school year. The parents may attend any meeting that best fits their schedule. All meetings will be held in the school s cafeteria. Campus Date Time Acton Elementary School Acton Middle School Baccus Elementary School Brawner Intermediate School Crossland Ninth Grade Center Granbury High School Granbury Middle School Mambrino School Oak Woods School Roberson Elementary School Additionally, each year all students in kindergarten and third grade are screened for GT identification. Parents, teachers, and school officials may nominate students in any other grade by submitting a nomination form, which are available at all campus offices. Additional information is available on the district website at Granbury ISD Gifted/Talented Policy & Procedures Page 19

20 Gifted & Talented Program Screening and Identification Process Kindergarten Screening (To be completed by January 31 st ) Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test II (NNAT2) - The Naglieri is administered to all students in kindergarten during the testing window of Dec. Jan., regardless of parent permission, for educational assessment purposes The Naglieri and SAGES tests should be administered by a qualified examiner Guidelines January: Parent information letter is sent home in Spanish and English to all parents of children in Kindergarten informing them of screening and upcoming Campus Parent Meeting. January: Parent meetings w/spanish Interpretation are held on each campus in informing parents of K/3 rd Screening and 1-2, 4-5 requests Assessment (To be completed by February 1 st ) Parent Survey Teacher Survey Work Assessment from Parent & Teacher Guidelines Parent completes a Parent Survey w/work samples for their pre-screened K child Teachers complete a Teacher Survey w/work samples for pre-screened K child Identification (To be completed by February 15 th ) Campus Committees of no less than 3 members who have received training in Nature & Needs of GT Students meet to complete profile forms and decide on GT Programming Guidelines To be placed in the Program, the student should exhibit an education al need to receive GT Services. There is no cut score or baseline number to be identified as GT. Committee uses all data to make a decision that is in the best interest of the child s educational need. By February 15th, parents are notified by letter if their child was identified as GT and placed in the GISD GT Program Parents must return signed Parent Permission Form for their child to participate in the GT Program Counselors contact parents by phone if student was not identified as GT and follow-up with a DNQ letter All Identification Paperwork is put in folders to be placed in the students cumulative folders. If the student was GT Identified, paperwork is placed in a Yellow folder and if NOT identified, in a manila folder. Naglieri test scores must have a cover sheet attached. Programming (To begin March 1 st ) GT Program Services begin March 1 st in classrooms with GT-Certified teachers for newly identified students

21 Gifted & Talented Program Screening and Identification Process Kindergarten Naglieri Testing of all Kindergarteners Window: December January GT Parent Meeting on each campus January Parent Survey with Permission to Assess for Pre Screened Kindergarteners Completed February 1 st No STOP Yes Teacher Surveys w/work Samples Completed February 1 st Campus GT Committee meets for GT Identification Completed February 15 th Parent Letter & Program Permission Form Mailed for Identified Students Completed February 15 th No STOP Yes GT Services begin for newly identified GT Students w/parent Permission Returned By law must begin March 1 Continue Reassess Furlough Exit

22 Gifted & Talented Program Screening and Identification Process First through Fifth Grades Screening (To be completed by January 31 st ) Teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested persons may request GT screening (Grades 1,2,4,5) by completing a GISD GT Referral Form. Referrals are due by January 31 st. Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test II (NNAT2) - The Naglieri is administered to all students in 3 rd grade, regardless of parent permission, for educational assessment purposes in testing window Dec. Feb. Guidelines January: Parent information letter is sent home in Spanish and English to all parents on campus informing them of screening and upcoming Campus Parent Meeting. January: Parent meetings w/spanish Interpretation are held on each campus informing parents of K/3 rd Screening and 1-2, 4-5 parent requests Parents requesting screening in grades 1,2,4,5 are given a GISD GT Referral Form Assessment (To be completed by March 1 st ) Parent Survey Teacher Survey Work Assessment from Parent & Teacher Naglieri (Referred students in grades 1,2,4,5 only) SAGES (Grades 3-5 only) Guidelines Parent completes a Parent Survey w/work samples for their pre-screened K, 3 rd or referred 1,2,4,5 child Teachers complete a Teacher Survey w/work samples for each requested student Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test II (NNAT2) - The Naglieri is administered to all referred students in grades 1,2,4,5 SAGES - All pre-screened 3 rd grade and referred students in grades 4,5 given SAGES The Naglieri and SAGES tests should be administered by a qualified examiner. Identification (To be completed by May 15 th ) Campus Committees of no less than 3 members who have received training in Nature & Needs of GT Students meet to complete profile forms and decide on GT Programming Guidelines To be placed in the Program, the student should exhibit an education al need to receive GT Services. There is no cut score or baseline number to be identified as GT. Committee uses all data to make a decision that is in the best interest of the child s educational need. Programming (To be completed by May 31 st ) By May 31st, parents are notified letter if their child was identified as GT and placed in the GISD GT Program Parents must return signed Parent Permission Form for their child to participate in the GT Program Counselors contact parents by phone if student was not identified as GT and follow-up with a DNQ letter All Identification Paperwork is put in folders to be placed in the students cumulative folders. If the student was GT Identified, paperwork is placed in a Yellow folder and if NOT identified, in a manila folder. Naglieri test scores must have a cover sheet attached. GT Program Services begin the following school year in classrooms with GT-Trained teachers for newly identified students