QUEST

Leander ISD’s Gifted & Talented (GT) services are designed to meet the needs of identified gifted students who have demonstrated above-average ability in the following area of giftedness as defined by the Texas State Plan for the Gifted: high general-intellectual ability.

QUEST, which stands for Quality Utilization and Enrichment of Student Talents, is our enrichment service in elementary and middle school. It is developmental in scope, with the curriculum addressing core content areas through projects and units that cross multiple subject areas. GT students have the opportunity to investigate topics of interest to them in greater depth and complexity. Students expand their academic abilities to apply critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, and research skills through individual and group projects, studies and problem-solving units.

Critical Characteristics of Talent Development Framework For Gifted and Advanced Learners*

• Potential Competence to Expertise to Distinction in Achievement/Creative Productivity

• Identify potential in early stage of Talent Development (TD)

• Emphasis on achievement and productivity in later stage of TD (early stage is general intellectual development)

• Giftedness is relative to a comparison group (campus level)

• Mission to prepare talented individuals for outstanding creative productivity or high levels of contribution to a domain and to our world

• Assist in critical transition of general ability into specific talent areas (allow student self-selection of strengths)

• Cultivate motivation and provide learning opportunities for high academic achievement

*adopted from National Association for Gifted Children Talent Development Task Force Report to the Board of Directors, November 2015

GT Services in Middle School

Leander ISD’s middle school GT services include the QUEST Studies elective, acceleration (HS courses in middle school and exams for acceleration for above grade level placement), Advanced courses, extensions embedded in the core content curriculum, collaboration opportunities, and independent study. Middle school GT students must participate in the QUEST Studies elective OR at least one of the additional services listed in the Leander ISD Middle School Gifted and Talented Service Design.

Advanced Courses

All LISD learners have access to advanced courses in middle school, including language arts, math, fine arts, and STEM classes. GT learners are encouraged to explore their unique strengths as well as stretch themselves academically by participating in the array of learning options available at each middle school.