Identification, Screening, Selection and Transfer Students

Identification, Screening, Selection and Transfer Students

Identifying students for Southside ISD's Gifted and Talented Program is accomplished through a comprehensive identification process consisting of three steps (referral, screening, and selection).  

Referrals are ongoing throughout the school year and are based on teacher, parent, community member, peer, and self-recommendation or by any person familiar with the student's abilities, potential, performance, and/or past record.

Screening

• 1. Surveys are sent to teachers

  2. Parents/guardians are sent permission slips in order to test their child.

  3. Students are tested.

Students pulled for testing will be considered a "school-related" absence.  The student will NOT be counted absent, but they will need to make up any assignments that are missed.

Selection

The Gifted/Talented Committee will meet on every student referred to make a professional judgement based on the evidence provided through the data collected throughout the screening process.  The Gifted/Talented committee consists of at least three district educators. All committee members have been trained in the nature and needs of gifted students.  The Gifted/Talented Committee makes a professional judgment based on the evidence provided through the screening to determine whether or not placement in the SISD Gifted & Talented program is appropriate. 
Once the identification process is complete, parents or guardians are notified of the Gifted/Talented Committee’s decision via electronic mail within ten school days. Parents of all screened students may request a conference to examine their child’s assessment results. 

Transfer Students

All students who have participated in gifted and talented programs prior to coming to Southside ISD may be considered for the Gifted/Talented Program.  Once screening records are received from the student’s previous district, the records will be examined for correspondence to Southside ISD’s criteria. If the transfer data is insufficient, Southside ISD will assess the student to see if placement in the program is in the student’s best interest.