Philosophy

It is the intention of Van Vleck ISD to provide a program of quality, equity, and accountability for academically talented students in compliance with state and local standards.

The gifted/talented program for the Van Vleck ISD is designed to meet the needs of those children who are identified as having superior intellectual abilities or potential for exceptional academic achievement. It is acknowledged that these children are found in all races, socioeconomic groups, and at all levels of society. It is the obligation of the school system to meet the needs of these special students and prepare them for the challenges of a rapidly changing society.

Definition

“Gifted and talented students” 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.

State Goal

Students that 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 reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of a professional quality as part of their services.

District Program Guide

A. Gifted and Talented students will seek original solutions to problems, which constructively reflect HIGHER THINKING PROCESSES.

1. Develop analogical thinking.
2. Develop logic and critical thinking.
3. Ability to apply component skills in complex thinking processes such as problem solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
4. Understand differences between divergent and convergent thinking.
5. Practice and apply basic principles of creative problem solving.
6. Recognize and use planning as a vital element of the creative process.
7. Recognize aspects of creative thinking to include originality, elaboration, and evaluation.

B. Gifted and Talented students will develop an understanding of self and others.

1. Become aware of and cope successfully with their giftedness in relation to themselves and others.
2. Exchange ideas with peers and others as a means of intellectual and self-development.

Local Application

This program will be implemented on all campuses in the district. The only requirement imposed by the district is that the students identified as Gifted/Talented will receive differentiated instruction in the areas they qualify as gifted.

Gifted and Talented curriculum for Kindergarten-Grade 5 will occur in differentiated instruction within the classroom setting. The district will service any identified students in Grades 6-8 in an advanced studies in Honors courses. Students in Grades 9-12 will participate in a differentiated curriculum in specific subject areas and have the opportunity to take accelerated, dual credit, Texas Virtual School Network courses, Honors, and/or Advanced Placement courses.

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 advanced-level products and performances.
3. In-school, and when possible, out-of-school options relevant to the student's area of strengths and interests that are available during the school year.
4. Opportunities to accelerate in areas of strengths.

Nominations

Under requirements provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), students may be nominated for the gifted and talented program by teachers, counselors, students, parents, or other interested persons. A meeting will be held to inform parents of nomination, identification, placement and program procedures. The nominations or requests will be made on a specific form provided by the district.

The district will screen all Kindergarten students for nomination purposes. Those students that score exceptionally on this screening will be considered nominated for the Gifted/Talented program. Those students that do not meet the gifted standards at that time may be nominated again in the second grade.

Identification/Assessment

Student participation will be based upon criteria provided by the state and by local policy. These criteria will include the following:

1. Teacher observation and observation form
2. Parent observation form
3. Abilities test
4. Achievement test
5. Student Product/Performance
6. Other optional criteria

The criteria shall ensure the fair assessment of students with special needs, such as culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities. Written parental consent shall be obtained before any special testing or individual assessment is conducted.

Student Selection

Each campus will establish a selection committee composed of at least three campus educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students. The responsibility of this committee is to ensure that selection will be made by state and local guidelines. The committee will meet throughout the year to review data regarding each nominated student and will make a decision about student placement in the Gifted/Talented program.

Parents/Guardians will be notified regarding the committee's placement decision. The District shall obtain written permission from student and parent before a student is placed in a gifted program.

Transfer Policy

It shall be the policy of Van Vleck ISD that students transferring into the district, with documentation of being identified Gifted/Talented, shall submit their records to the selection committee for review to determine whether placement in the district's program for gifted/talented students is appropriate. If the transfer student's records are limited or not available, the student will be required to go through the district's placement procedures.

The selection committee shall make its determination within 30 days of the student's enrollment in the district and shall base its decision on the transferred records, observation reports of district teachers who instruct the student, and student/parent conferences.

Student Furlough

Students who are unable to maintain satisfactory performance within the regular classroom may be placed on furlough by the G/T committee. The purpose of such furlough is to provide the student an opportunity to attain performance goals established by the selection committee. Students and/or parents may also request a furlough.

A student may be furloughed for a semester or for a year. At the end of the furlough, the student's progress shall be reassessed, and the student may reenter the gifted program, be removed from the program, or be placed on another furlough. A student who requests a second year furlough from the G/T program will be removed from the program. Reinstatement into the program may occur though the regular application process. The campus G/T selection committee will approve all furloughs. Parent involvement will be a necessary part of the furlough process.

Exit Policy (Dismissal from the Program)

Student performance in the program shall be monitored. Students shall be removed from the program at any time the selection committee determines it is in the student's best interest. If a student or parent requests removal from the program, the district shall honor that request. Reinstatement may only be accomplished through the regular application process.

Reinstatement

Reinstatement may be accomplished by a request to the selection committee to review the student's status. A review of the student identification profile and the student review form used for exit/furlough will determine whether the student may resume participation in the program. The parent, the student or any teacher associated with the student, may request a review.

Reassessment

A student may be reassessed upon request of parent/teacher. If reassessment occurs, it is to occur once in grades K-3, once in grades 4-5, once in grades 6-8, or any other time a campus G/T committee deems necessary.

Appeals

Parents or students may appeal any final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for, or removal from the gifted program. Appeal shall be made to the campus G/T committee in writing.

Evaluation

The gifted and talented program shall be evaluated periodically, and evaluation information shall be shared with Board members, administrators, teachers, counselors, students in the gifted and talented program, and the community. The evaluation procedure for the Gifted/Talented program at Van Vleck ISD may include the following:

1. Parent Survey
2. Student Survey
3. Teacher Survey

Professional Development for Teachers

Prior to assignment in the classroom, teachers who provide instruction and services that are part of the program for gifted students must have a minimum of 30 clock hours of staff development. This staff development must include nature and needs of G/T students, assessing the needs, and curriculum and instruction for gifted students. In extenuating circumstances, a plan on file showing how a teacher will receive the 30 clock hours within one semester is acceptable.

Community Awareness

The district shall ensure that information about its gifted and talented program is available to parents and community members and that they have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the program. The Van Vleck ISD Gifted/Talented Program is outlined on the www.vvisd.org district website, listed under departments and Federal Programs. The Legal and Local Board policy can also be found on the VVISD website under departments and Board Policy. Parents/Guardians may request a printed copy from any campus office personnel. Information is also shared in newsletters, flyers, and local newspapers.

Kindergarten Program Timeline

All kindergarten students will be screened for testing in the spring of the school year.

Contact Information

Stephanie Ward
Federal Programs Coordinator
979-323-5050
sward@vvisd.org