Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GT/Discovery program?

Discovery is the enrichment program provided for students who have been identified as intellectually and/or creatively gifted and talented.

How are students identified?

Students who are referred for the Discovery program go through a screening process, which involves five areas: verbal aptitude, nonverbal aptitude, achievement in math and reading, creativity, and qualitative data collection.

Students whose dominant language is Spanish will go through a screening process, which involves four areas: nonverbal aptitude, achievement in math and reading, creativity, and qualitative data collection. Achievement, aptitude, and creativity tests will be administered in Spanish when appropriate.

Who refers students?

A teacher, parent, student, or other interested persons observing a student with consistent evidence of gifted characteristics may refer him/her.  However, the parent is responsible for completing the required referral form to give permission for testing.

What tests are administered?

To protect the integrity of the tests, we do not release the specific names of the assessments.  The online testing platform does not allow us to view questions or for student responses to be viewed.

How can I prepare my student for the testing process?

Make sure your child is comfortable using a Chromebook while listening to instructions via headphones.  Preparing for the assessments is highly discouraged. The program incorporates natural intellectual ability, advanced academic achievement, creativty, etc., all in self-directed enrichment.

What are some of the characteristics of a gifted student?

• advanced/extensive vocabulary
• work advanced beyond the grade level/age
• extremely inquisitive, asks many questions, often challenging, provoking and/or demanding
• in-depth understanding of complex concepts
• persistence is evident in areas of interest
• high level of curiosity, energy, enthusiasm and vigor for new ideas
• advanced reasoning
• feels keenly about own ideas and solutions to problems, and often expresses them regardless of what others may think
• likes to examine new possibilities for problems/solutions, rather than fitting within a structure
• original imagination
• sustained attention span
• initiates projects and often prefers to work alone
• keenly observant
• keen sense of humor