Students may be referred for the gifted and talented program at any time by teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested persons. The district provides at least one screening and identification and assessment opportunity once per school year (EHBB Local). Screening as well as identification and assessment is a multi-step process and involves both quantitative and qualitative measures.
(EHBB Legal) (19TAC89.1)
Kinder Screening: All kindergarten students are screened for possible consideration for GT services. The initial GT screening for all kindergarten students begins in January. The state of Texas requires that kindergarten gifted students are served by March 1. Beginning March 1, identified kindergarten students are provided opportunities for application of their gifts, talents and skills through project-based learning, including building community and self-awareness, investigating the creative process and researching as part of the kindergarten QUEST service.
Grades 1-11 GT Referrals: All students in grades 1-11 may be referred for screening and identification at any time during the school year. Screening and assessment will take place during at least one district window each school year. Students identified from the annual screening and assessment will begin services the following school year or semester based on when the assessment occurs. Note: All students in LISD have access to Advanced Program opportunities and differentiated instruction. Only students identified as GT have access to QUEST services.
Screening, Assessment, and Identification Process: The campus QUEST Teacher(s) or campus designated GT trained teacher, counselor. or administrator, complete the screening, assessment, and identification measures to collect multiple measures for the GT Decision Committee review. The GT Decision Committee lead has at least 30 hours of GT foundation training and members of the committee have at least 6 hours GT training in identification and assessment of the GT learner. The committee of at least 2-3 educators may be composed of K-8 QUEST teachers, GT trained teachers, GT counselors with oversight/guidance from the GT District Coordinator(s).
➔ Step 1: SCREENING: All students in Kinder and all students referred for GT services will
participate in the GT screening process. The purpose of the screening is to identify students who
demonstrate potential in the areas of general intellectual ability through district selected
achievement and observation feedback tools. Screening does not require permission to test as
measures used are provided to all LISD students. Note: students not meeting screening criteria
will not move forward to additional assessment.
➔ Step 2: ASSESSMENT: Parents of students meeting the screening process criteria will be notified
and students will be assessed for gifted services once permission from the parent/guardian is
received. Assessment tools may include, but are not limited to, the following:
◆ achievement tests
◆ intelligence tests
◆ creativity tests
◆ behavioral checklists
◆ student/parent conferences
◆ student work products
➔ Step 3: IDENTIFICATION: All measures collected are evaluated by the GT Decision Committee.
The committee recommends appropriate educational placements. The committee may request
additional data collection if needed.
➔ Step 4: NOTIFICATION: The campus GT representative with approval from the District GT
Coordinator will notify parents or guardians in writing of the committee’s decision.
➔ Step 5: CONSENT and REVIEW: Parents/guardians of all qualifying students must give written
consent for their child to receive GT services. Parents of non-qualifying students may request a
conference with the GT Teacher or District GT Coordinator to review assessment results. If the
parents or guardians question the decision of the GT Decision Committee, they may initiate the
appeals process. All appeals will go to the district Director of Advanced Programs and will follow
the district appeal process. (EHBB Local) (FNG Local)