Transfer Students

Katy ISD Gifted and Talented Program Information for New Elementary Students

The elementary program, “Challenge,” is based on general intellectual ability. Identified students spend one day per week in the Challenge classroom. The Challenge curriculum extends and enriches the regular academic curriculum through a series of thematic units which focus on advanced high-interest content. 

Eligibility for GT Screening:

The following students new to Katy ISD are eligible for GT screening upon enrollment:

• Students identified for GT service in their prior school – must provide documentation. 

• Students previously identified in Katy ISD before leaving the district.

• Students who enroll after the regular Katy ISD screening window has taken place for the current school year may be screened for possible service to begin the following year.  If enrollment occurs late in the school year, screening may take place at the start of the following year. 

New students who do not meet one of the criteria above may be referred for GT screening during the regular district screening windows. Screening information is available at the home campus.

NOTE: Identification for gifted services in another district/school does not guarantee placement in another district’s program. Each district in Texas sets its own identification criteria, according to TEA regulations.

Parents of children eligible for GT screening should provide the following within two weeks of enrollment:

• If previously identified - Documentation of previous acceptance/participation in a GT program

• If available, copies of test scores from nationally normed standardized tests administered at school within the last two school years. Examples: Stanford 10, Iowa Assessments, OLSAT, NNAT, COGAT. Test scores from state accountability tests such as the STAAR and scores from private sources are not used.

• Parent Checklist – obtain from your campus or at www.katyisd.org; return to campus counselor or Challenge teacher within 2 weeks of enrollment. Follow completion instructions carefully.

The Screening Process:

• Katy ISD collects quantitative and qualitative measures, as required by TEA. Quantitative measures include achievement, ability, and intelligence test scores. Qualitative measures include parent and teacher observations.

• Katy ISD accepts nationally normed standardized test scores which were administered within the last two school years in a public or private school in which the student was enrolled. If scores are not available, Katy ISD will administer the necessary tests.

• Testing takes place on campus during the school day. (Exception: Previously identified students in grades 2-5 who enroll in August will participate in Saturday testing if an ability score is needed.)

• Parents are notified of placement decisions by U.S. mail. If applicable, test results are included.

Questions:

• Specific questions regarding the GT program and GT screening should be directed to the Challenge teacher or counselor at each elementary school.

• General questions regarding the GT program may be directed to the Office of Gifted and Talented, 281-396-2383 or emailed to advancedacademics@katyisd.org