Gifted and Talented

Gifted and talented programs differ at each school district. Some district's use recommendations from teachers and parents of students who just happen to do wonderful in school and make great grades easily.

Some districts use specific tests, which truthfully I don't 100% agree with this method.

It's important to contact the district you are living in and ask them directly.

I agree with the out-of-the box thinkers. When the kids are very young (KG/1st) our GT teacher also looks for excellent readers (although this is not a requirement, it's often an indicator). In the younger grades, they also do a verbal test, rather than a written test.
Also, in addition to being able to withdraw from the program if desired, kids need to maintain a certain grade level to remain in the program. In our school, I believe it's a B in ALL classes (not just an across the board average).
Finally, my daughter has been in the program for 3 years and loves it. It's absolutely her favorite part of the week. They do a lot of fun projects - last month (she's in 4th grade) everyone got to bring in a mechanical item for take-apart day... anything from lawn mowers and blenders, to computers and clocks. With the help of one volunteer dad (for the lawn mower) they took everything apart to inspect how they all work! Very cool! They also learn how to research historical figures, create & market their own inventions, etc. I'm sure every program and grade is different, but they offer lots of fun stuff that really keeps their minds thinking in new ways.

I am not in the Dallas area, we are right outside of Abilene. I have one daughter that is very book smart, but not always creative smart. She is in GT. My second daughter who is very creative smart and not sloppy at book smart, but not as high as her sister has been nominated for GT. We have not heard back whether she made it in or not yet. My point is that the criteria for both girls in the same school has changed within two years. All the tests were different for both girls. My daughter that is in GT loves it. She is taken from class once a week for a couple of hours. They have a theme that they study each year. One year was renaissance, one year space, and one year was the ocean. I have made sure all her teachers know that if her grades start to fall in any way I have no problem pulling her out of GT. She also knows that her regular classes come first. I hope this helps.
S. G.

All depends on the program at your school. If your child does not easily meet the criteria that does not mean she/he is not gifted! Be careful. I'm not saying this is you, of course. I had one child in a program like this, and one that was not a candidate. Both brilliant in their mothers eyes, just differently brilliant. BUT, a child can feel like a failure if their parents make too big a deal about getting into one of the programs, and then they don't meet "the criteria." Of course give your child the opportunity to be a part of something he/she may enjoy, but just a word of caution if it turns into a "task."

My school uses 5 tests and they have to excel at each. Only one is an IQ type test. They are trying to identify kids who think differently. GT kids don't always make better grades than other kids. As a parent, you can always stop GT classes. The kids usually love going, though.

Gifted programs in TX aren't usually about an IQ score. It for children who think differently... I think you've already had someone write "out of the box". As a parent you can request that the GT teacher test your child for the program. If they qualify, then they usually receive a couple hours a week of a pull out program where they go to that teacher's classroom and work on projects that use those different thinking skills. You can always furlough your child (pull them out for a while if its not for them) or just release them completely. As a parent you are always in control of your child's programing.

A few of my students' schools go through a testing process and we have prepared them with using Beestar's GT program. Overall the program does a great job preparing them but at the same time some parents do opt out of having them in these classes in school and stick with the program instead. It really is up to the parent and I think the students do well with the online program.

I'm not sure about all your questions, but had a nephew that was about three grades above his age and was in a gifted program, it was good for some subjects, but he couldn't be a (kid) and do a lot of the fun stuff like art projects which he loved and was also talented in, as they had just a program for the math, science etc. and so his mom had to change his program, as after all in some respects he was just a kid age wise, even if he could do the work of someone several grades above.

Hi M.~
My son is in the GT program through the LISD.He was nominated by his teacher but our schools policy is that the child can be nominated by a teacher or parent. Once nominated the teacher and parent fill out a packet asking you to rate your child/student in a variety of ways,social,academic etc...The student also takes a long test administered by the GT program-not sure if it is an official IQ test but it is academic in nature.
People have hit it right here-they are looking for outside the box thinkers.By the way, they are never forced to stay in the program.My son and his friends have loved the program. It is fun, stimulating and great training. He is now in the program at the Middle School level where it takes the place of his reading class.
Good luck !
N.

Each district handles it differently so talk to your school. Most are based on a high testing area in a specific category and not neccesarily grades. Most kids in gt are not 'a' students. The kids in gt usually have a uniques quality or interest in something very specific and usually a very deep passion for it. Also, most tend to test using an outside source and not one of the school teachers. Usually done very fair and objective. They usually test into gt and are allowed to stay for a term longer than a school year. This allows them time to flourish before testing again. Again, check with your school. Personally, i like that gt is not for the straight 'a' kid but offers an outlet to the kids that may strugle with math but excel in art.

Criteria varies. It isn't just IQ, some schools don't even administer IQ tests. It is more them thinking out of the box, eager to learn, easily bored with regular work, etc. Teachers are able to nominate students they feel qualify. Parents are usually not able to drive the idea. And yes, you can remove them at any time.

VickiS