Gifted and Talented Student means a child who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who (1) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, (2) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or (3) excels in a specific academic field. Gifted and talented students are those who by virtue of outstanding mental abilities are capable of high performance. These students may demonstrate, singly or in combination, above-average achievement or potential in such areas as general intellectual ability, specific subject matter aptitude, ability in creative and productive thinking, and leadership ability. These students require education experiences beyond those normally provided by the regular school program.

Program Goals

The Wimberley Independent School District (WISD) program for the gifted and talented will strive to improve the needs of those students recognized to have exceptional potential in general intellectual ability.

     1.      Gifted and talented students will seek original solutions to problems that
           constructively reflect higher level thinking processes, creative thinking, problem
           solving, and critical thinking.

2.      Gifted and talented students will be encouraged in the development of
      communication skills by providing opportunities for listening, speaking, and
      vocabulary enrichment.

3.      Gifted and talented students will be encouraged in the development of
      originality, fluency, flexibility, creativity and elaboration in expressing oral and
      written ideals through independent study.

4. Gifted and talented students will strive to improve affective domain skills through
self-awareness, group dynamics, leadership roles and task commitment.

Program Description

WISD’s program is designed to challenge students to accelerate above and beyond the regular school curriculum. Students in grades 1 through 12 are offered participation in this program. The program has been established to ensure equality for all cultural groups, gender, special needs and socio-economic classes.

Teachers of gifted and talented students must have 30 hours of training and receive six additional hours annually of professional development in gifted educational concepts.

Nominations

Parents, teachers, counselors and administrators may nominate students. The District will send letters informing interested parties of the gifted and talented program and request nominations. Kindergarten students will be nominated in November. All other students will be nominated in the spring.

Identification Criteria

Criteria to identify gifted and talented students shall be established in the board-approved program for the gifted and talented. The criteria will be specific to the state definition of gifted and talented and will ensure the fair assessment of students with special needs, such as the culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Information on each nominated student will be gathered using the following criteria. Students must meet three of the following and score 95% on the matrix for placement. The selection committee will use this data.

1. Teacher inventory

2. Parent inventory

3. Norm–referenced Test Results

4. Products or performance

Parental Consent

Written parental consent will be obtained before any special testing or individual assessment is conducted as part of the screening and identification process. All student information collected during the screening and identification process will be an education record, subject to the protections set out in policies at FL.

Selection Committee

A selection committee will evaluate each nominated student according to the established criteria and will select those students for whom gifted and talented program placement is the most appropriate educational setting. The committee will be composed of at least three professional educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students. Educators selected for this activity should represent the student population to ensure the fair and equitable selection of students with special needs, such as the culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Exit Policy

Student performance in the program will be monitored. A student will be reassessed for appropriate services at any time the selection committee determines it is in the student’s best interest. If a student requests removal from the program, the selection committee shall meet with the parent and student before honoring the request.

New Student Transfer Policy

When a student identified as gifted by a previous school transfers into the District, the student’s records will be reviewed by the selection committee to determine if placement in the District’s program for gifted and talented students is appropriate.

The committee will make its determination within 30 days of the student’s enrollment in the District and will base its decision on the transferred records, observation reports of teachers who instruct the student and student/parent conferences.

Furlough

The selection committee may place students who are unable to maintain satisfactory performance within the structure of the gifted and talented program on furlough. The purpose of such a furlough is to provide the student an opportunity to attain performance goals established by the selection committee. A furlough also may be granted at the request of the student and/or parent.

A student may be furloughed for a period of time deemed appropriate by the selection committee. At the end of the furlough, the student’s progress will be reassessed, and the student may re-enter the gifted and talented program, be removed from the program, or be placed on another furlough.

Reassessment

Students will be reassessed only as needed, as determined by administrators.

Appeals

Parents or students may appeal any final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for or removal from the gifted and talented program. Appeals will be made first to the principal. Any subsequent appeals will be made in accordance with FNG (Local) beginning at Level 2.

Evaluation

The gifted and talented program will be evaluated periodically and evaluation information will be shared with Board members, administrators, teachers, counselors or any interested party. WISD will evaluate the program through student, parent and teacher questionnaires. Each year the District will conduct a meeting with parents and the community to answer questions to evaluate and take recommendations for the program’s future.

Community Awareness

WISD will ensure that information about the District’s gifted and talented program is available to parents and community members and that they have an opportunity to develop an understanding of and support for the program.

For further information, contact:

                        Wimberley ISD
                        Assistant Superintendent
                        (512) 847-2414