Lufkin ISD is committed to providing services that meet the unique needs of the gifted and talented learner. The philosophy of Lufkin ISD reflects an understanding of the uniqueness of individual gifted and talented learners. Because the learning characteristics of gifted and talented learners require differentiated learning experiences compared to other students their age, experience, and/or grade, the district recognizes that special provisions must be made for these students in order to stimulate and maximize their achievement as well as provide for their social and emotional needs.

Lufkin ISD recognizes that gifted and talented students are found in all cultures, socioeconomic groups, geographic areas, and environments. Lufkin ISD will serve the needs of those students who perform at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment. 

In Texas, gifted refers to a student who performs at a remarkably high level of accomplishment compared to other students the same age, environment, or experience. Their abilities or accomplishments are so advanced they require special provisions to meet their individual educational needs. 

Gifted learners include both those students with disabilities (i.e., twice-exceptional) and those with exceptional abilities or potential from all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural populations. Gifted learners are capable of extremely high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by any or a combination of these areas of giftedness: 

• General intellectual ability

• Specific academic aptitude: reading, writing, math, science, social studies, world languages

• Creative thinking

• Leadership abilities

Please note, often, bright students – motivated, high achievers – are thought to be gifted by their parents and teachers. However, a truly gifted student will demonstrate specific unique characteristics. 

Please read the information linked below on bright vs. gifted learners. 

Bright Child vs Gifted Child - Psychology Today article 

There are also many characteristics as well as types of gifted learners.  Use the links below to learn more about what giftedness can look like. 

Characteristics of Gifted Learners

Types of Gifted Learners

Intellectual Giftedness 

Academic Giftedness 

How are gifted learners identified in Lufkin ISD?

• Our identification process is aligned with state guidelines for identifying students eligible for gifted education and advanced learning services. These guidelines support the approach of looking at different types of information for each student - a “Body of Evidence.” This evidence will determine if a student demonstrates an educational need for gifted and talented services - programming beyond the regular classroom or curriculum. .

How does the identification process begin?

• Identifying a gifted child begins with a referral initiated by a parent, teacher, self, peer, or community member. 

• Lufkin ISD offers services for students from kindergarten to 12th grade; therefore, any students entering those grade levels may be assessed.

• Assessment opportunities occur once a year - usually opens in January and closes to applicants the end of February.  The district website and social media will announce specific dates in late fall each year.

• All kindergarten students are automatically screened and considered for placement through an assessment given each spring.  Parents of qualifying students will be contacted according to the same identification schedule as other students assessed. 

• Although universal testing is only done in kindergarten, students can be referred for testing by anyone (parents, teachers, other students) at any point in their educational journey (K-12); however, testing only occurs for district students in the spring. 

• Lufkin ISD uses both standardized tests and observational data to make placement decisions. 

• For more information about the testing process and the referral form, use this link: 

Identification Process and Link to Referral Form 

Gifted services are currently offered at specific campuses, each providing differing services:

• Full-Time services @ Dunbar and Brandon - Students are grouped with only other gifted learners and provided challenges in their area(s) of strength.

• Pull-Out services @ Burley and Slack, K-3rd only - Dual Language students identified as gifted in verbal ability/reading are pulled-out of their classes once a week and provided challenges in this area of strength.

• Inclusion and Full-Time services (depending on the subject) @ LMS and LHS - Students are provided challenges in their advanced classes, including the STEM-prep program, along with other students not identified as gifted. In language arts, students are with only other gifted learners.