Canyon Independent School District
Gifted and Talented
Nomination Information
Embedded Files
Nominating a Student
Nominating a Student
Teachers and parents should complete nomination forms if they believe their student is performing well above grade level or demonstrating exceptional strengths or talents and would like their student's performance and achievement to be reviewed to determine eligibility for gifted education services.
Parents must complete the Parent Inventory Checklist/Questionnaire and in addition, the Permission to Assess. This document allows us to administer the CoGAT and the Creative Thinking Test. The CoGAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) assessment is divided into nine sections and takes approximately two and a half hours. The Creative Thing Test is a series of abstract puzzles designed to measure a student's creativity.
The tests are taken on Campus (5th -12th grade) or at Happy State Bank Stadium and Conference Center (Kindergarten - 4th grade) during the school day and administered by a teacher or district administrator. You will receive notification from your campus G/T facilitator of the exact day of the test closer to the testing window. Transportation is provided from the student's campus to HSBS and back, if applicable..
Important Dates for 2025-2026 Gifted and Talented Identification
October 24, 2025, 11:59 PM Deadline for 2nd-12th Grade Nominations
October 31, 2025 - November 20, 2025 2nd-12th Grade Assessment Window
January 9, 2026, 11:59 PM Deadline for Kinder-1st Grade Nominations
January 16, 2026 - February 13, 2026 Kinder-1st Grade Assessment Window
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ALL ASSESSMENT ITEMS ARE ORDERED, MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED, STUDENTS ARE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, AND FILES ARE COMPLETE, THE ABOVE DATES ARE FIRM.
Bright does not always equal gifted!
The Gifted and Talented label does not indicate that a student is smarter than others. "GT" students demonstrate an advanced ability or potential in one or more specific areas when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment. These gifted individuals excel in their ability to think, reason and judge, making it necessary for them to receive differentiated educational services and support to be able to fully develop their potential and talents.
Listed below are some differences to help you distinguish between a bright child and a gifted learner (Janice Szabos, Challenge). The list below does not describe all traits and attitudes of gifted children, as all children are diverse in their characteristics; however, it is a good reference of distinguishing characteristics.
What happens once my student is nominated?
Grades 1-12
Once a student is nominated, they are scheduled for an assessment. The assessment occurs during school hours and transportation is provided, if applicable. When the results are received, our department builds a profile containing GT assessment results (CoGAT and Creativity Assessments), universal screener results (MAP, MCLASS, etc.), survey results, student work products, grades, etc. This profile is presented to the campus GT committee for consideration.
Parents will receive a letter detailing whether or not their student qualifies for GT services in Canyon ISD. If the student qualifies for services, the parent must return the parent permission form by the deadline. Students cannot receive services if parent permission is not received.
Kindergarten
In accordance with state policies, all kindergarten students are screened and automatically nominated by CISD if they meet a certain threshold. Students that are not automatically nominated can still be nominated by parents and teachers.
Once a student is nominated, they are scheduled for an assessment. The assessment occurs during school hours and transportation is provided, if applicable. When the results are received, our department builds a profile containing GT assessment results (CoGAT and Creativity Assessments), universal screener results (MAP, MCLASS, etc.), survey results, student work products, grades, etc. This profile is presented to the campus GT committee for consideration.
Parents will receive a letter detailing whether or not their student qualifies for GT services in Canyon ISD. If the student qualifies for services, the parent must return the parent permission form by the deadline. Students cannot receive services if parent permission is not received.
What if my student was receiving GT services in another district?
In general, when a student transfers from another district, the previous district sends a record that indicates whether or not the student was receiving special services (Gifted and Talented, Special Education, etc.). When Canyon ISD receives a record with a GT indicator, we contact the previous district to request the GT file. The campus GT committee conducts a careful review of the file to determine whether or not the previous identification criteria is equivalent to or matches Canyon ISD's criteria. If so, the student will admitted to GT services. If the criteria does not meet, the student will receive GT services for the remainder of that school year and will be assessed using Canyon ISD criteria for future services.
Most transfers are from Texas institutions and use a common form to notify us of the student's GT qualification. If the student is transferring from an out of state or private institution, the received record may not indicate GT services. If your child qualified for GT services in a previous district and the district did not indicate as such, please contact us and we will request the records so we can determine eligibility.
If you have questions about GT transfers, please contact us at the information below.Â
Nominations are open for all Canyon ISD students!
The nomination window is open!
The deadline for teacher & community nominations is October 17, 2025.
The deadline for parent nominations and/or consent is October 24, 2025.
If you are a community member that wishes to nominate a student for Gifted and Talented assessment, please send an email to chris.hawkins@canyonisd.net. In this email please include the student's name, grade, campus, and why you feel they would benefit from Gifted and Talented instruction. We will notify the parents of your nomination and ask for consent to assess.
Questions about the Gifted and Talented Nomination & Assessment Process?
Contact Chris Hawkins, Coordinator of Fine Arts and Advanced Academics, via email at chris.hawkins@canyonisd.net
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