Gifted and Talented/Discovery Program Handbook

This handbook contains the Lake Travis ISD’s guidelines and procedures for the Gifted and Talented Program for grades K-12.  For more detail on state guidelines please refer to TEA’s Gifted and Talented Education website.

Mission Statement

The Gifted and Talented/Discovery Program of LTISD is committed to:

1. Developing a passion for learning, and personal growth so that students reach their talent potential as a life-long learner.
2. Delivering an enriched, rigorous curriculum apart from the standard classroom curriculum for identified students including enrichment in the four core classes, creativity and leadership opportunities.
3. Differentiating curriculum and instructional delivery to align with the needs of students.
4. Directing all identified students toward intellectual, emotional, and social success in academics and life so that all students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and creative needs are met.

Program Goals

1. Identify and serve students who perform in the top 3-5% nationally in the areas of:

• general intellectual ability
• creativity
• advanced academic achievement

2. Provide exemplary units of study that both challenge and engage all identified students both intellectually and creatively.
3. Provide learning opportunities in high order thinking skills, decision making, problem solving and reasoning.
4. Address the social and emotional needs of identified students with the assistance of counselors, mentors, and peers.
5. Assist classroom teachers in the process of differentiation for identified students.
6. Strive to achieve exemplary status on the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students.

Characteristics of a Gifted Student

• advanced/extensive vocabulary
• work is advanced, beyond the grade level/age
• extremely inquisitive, asking many questions that are 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
• especially original imagination
• sustained attention span
• initiates projects and often prefers to work alone
• keenly observant
• keen sense of humor

If you would like more information about the Discovery Program, please contact your Campus Discovery Program Coordinator.

Non-Discrimination Statement

It is the policy of Lake Travis Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national  origin, sex or handicap in any programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact Tasha Waters-Barker,  LTISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Title IX.

DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED/DISCOVERY PROGRAM

What is the GT/Discovery program?

Discovery is an academic 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 an assessment process. See below for more information on the screening process. The formal testing process involves assessment in:

• Verbal aptitude
• nonverbal aptitude
• achievement in math and reading
• creativity
• qualitative data collection

Students whose dominant language is Spanish are assessed in the following areas:

• nonverbal aptitude
• achievement in math and reading
• creativity
• 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.  Information regarding the referral process will be shared by the campus principal at the beginning of the referral window.  Please refer to the testing timeline listed on the LTISD Discovery page.  All students who have previously been identified as gifted by Lake Travis ISD are admitted into the program. Teachers, parents, or students may nominate students for the program.  Nominated students will have the option to participate in assessments to determine eligibility for the program according to district guidelines.

Grade Level: Elementary

The Elementary Discovery Program is a cross-curricular thematic based pullout program for students in grades K-5. Participating students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity that are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment.

Grade Level: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Elective

This Discovery elective is an inquiry, project based course that makes connections across the disciplines and meets the state mandates for the Gifted and Talented. This course is only available to identified Lake Travis ISD Gifted and Talented students.  See course catalog for further details regarding the secondary GT classes.

Grade Level: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th High School

High School GT students are served through group and individualized instruction in the classroom as well as through special programs. At this level students specialize in specific topics using Pre-AP and AP classes, dual credit coursework, and exams for acceleration. Classes such as AP Seminar and AP Research allow gifted students to learn ways to report the specialized in-depth exploration of their individual areas of study. AP Research is the culminating class for Gifted students and can lead to GT distinction at graduation. 

Gifted and Talented (GT) Graduation Recognition

A student identified as Gifted and Talented is eligible to receive special GT recognition if FOUR of the following criteria are met during his/her high school career. This recognition occurs at the Honors Ceremony and in the Graduation Program. The student must complete the required criteria and submit the appropriate form to his/her counselor by May 1st of his/her senior year.

• A student may satisfy THREE of the criteria for GT graduation recognition by taking AP classes, and making a final, unweighted grade of 80 or higher and/or passing the AP exam with at least a score of 3.
• The fourth MUST be satisfied with one of the following: (students may not repeat any of these as part of their 4 criteria, i.e., two 2nd place finishes at the regional level = 1 criteria)
  • Completion of an advanced GT independent study, either through the ISM course or as an independent study outside of school hours
  • National Merit Scholar – Semifinalist, Commended, National Hispanic
  • Publication in an approved nationally or state recognized journal or magazine (can be a print article, photo, or art publication). No Internet publication will be accepted.
  • Regional placement (1st – 6th) in U.I.L., school-based competition in academics, arts, athletics, band, cheer, choir, dance, DECA, forensics (speech & debate), HOSA, orchestra, theater or VASE, FFA, and Skills U.S.A.

Seniors who are in year one of a GT furlough and meet the above criteria will be eligible for recognition. Seniors who are in year two of a GT furlough are considered inactive and will not qualify for the GT recognition.

For additional information regarding our High School Gifted and Talented Program, please visit the Lake Travis High School GT site.  

DISCOVERY PARENT COMMUNICATION

Each campus coordinator is responsible for communicating with parents of GT/Discovery students informing parents on how their students receive GT/Discovery services at their respective campus.

GT/Discovery information is available on the district Gifted and Talented website.  

ASSESSMENT PHILOSOPHY FOR DISCOVERY PROGRAM

The Discovery Program is available to all qualifying students regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, special need or limited English proficiency. The identification process for the Discovery Program is rigorous and fair.  

Assessment results are drawn from quantitative and qualitative data following the Texas State Plan for the Gifted and Talented.

Discovery Screening Procedures

The referral window for 1st-12th grade opens at the beginning of the school year and remains open through the end of the 1st grading period.  A teacher, parent, student, or other interested person observing a student with consistent evidence of gifted characteristics may refer him/her during the appropriate referral window.  

Newly enrolled students arriving after the fall deadline will be assessed per referral request during the 3rd 9 week grading period.  Students arriving during the 4th grading period may be referred for testing the following school year. Secondary students who were not referred during the 1st 9 week referral window may be referred during the 3rd 9 weeks.

Students previously enrolled in a Gifted and Talented program in another school district can not be assessed until enrolled in LTISD.

The Kindergarten referral window for Elementary campuses will open at the beginning of the spring semester and will remain open through the end of the 3rd 9 week grading period.

Parents have the right to appeal the results of their child's assessment.  Appeals must be received by the campus GT coordinator, in writing, by January 31st for students assessed in the fall semester and by May 15th for students assessed in the spring semester.  Please refer to the section titled “Appeals Procedure and Timeline” below for more specific details regarding the appeal process.

Assessment of LEP Students for the Discovery Program

Students whose primary language is not English and who are identified as LEP through the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee may be assessed through nationally normed achievement and ability tests in a language other than English.

Assessment of Special Education Students/504 Being Evaluated for the Discovery Program

Recognizing that all school-aged students, regardless of their disability or placement in a special program, shall have equal access to placement in GT/Discovery or any program offered by the district to non-disabled students. The following considerations apply to students who are identified as receiving Special Education / 504 services and support.

• Review the accommodation plan for 504 or the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in order to determine what accommodations are required for entry assessment into the Discovery Program.
• GT Coordinators will work in collaboration with the Special Services team to assure that accommodations are properly implemented in the testing process.

Entry Procedures for Students Transferring into LTISD

Students identified as gifted in another school district transferring into LTISD must meet the LTISD GT/Discovery program standards and will be required to go through the screening process. If a student is transferring from another school’s GT program, the campus will complete the screening process and make the appropriate placement per board policies (EHBB and FDD).

Final Determination

Final determination of students’ need for gifted and talented services is made by a committee of at least three (3) local district or campus educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted/talented students and who have met and reviewed the individual student data (19 TAC§89.1(4)). The District Selection Committee will determine if additional data is needed to make an appropriate placement decision (per Texas State Plan).

Reassessment Procedures for Non-Qualifying Students 

1. Referral opportunities for gifted and talented identification are made available to students once per school year.  
2. Students will have the opportunity to be reassessed using both qualitative and quantitative data.

Appeals Procedures and Timeline

Parents/Guardians have the right to appeal the results of their child's assessment.  Appeals must be received by the campus GT coordinator, in writing, by January 31st for students assessed in the fall semester and by May 15th for students assessed in the spring semester.  Please note that one appeal is accepted per school year. All supporting documents are to be presented at the time of appeal submission, and anything presented after will not be accepted.

1. In the event of an appeal, the District Selection Committee will review the appeal form and accompanying evidence to ensure proper placement of all students without regard to race, gender, socioeconomic status, special needs, or limited English proficiency.
2. The District Selection Committee will be composed of at least three GT Campus Coordinators, the Director of Curriculum, and/or their designee. Voting members of the committee should not be from the student’s campus
   • The committee will review documentation from the assessment process in addition to any documentation provided by the student’s parents/guardians.
   • Additional assessment data may be provided during the appeal process for consideration. 
3. Upon receiving the appeals form, the District Selection Committee will meet and deliver a response within two business weeks. The parents/guardians will receive notification by email within one business week of the District Committee’s decision.

Furlough Procedures

The following procedures are to provide a temporary break from the Discovery Program and do not pertain to or affect the student’s GT identification on the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). Possible reasons for initiating a furlough for the current school year may be, but are not limited to: not meeting grade level expectations, low performance that impacts the student’s ability to meet the goals of the GT program, low achievement, poor attendance, or not meeting expectations in GT class.

1. A parent/guardian, teacher, or student may initiate the furlough process at any time during the school year. If the furlough process is initiated by a school representative, a letter describing the reason for furlough will be emailed to the parents of the student in question, and a meeting will be requested.
2. A conference will take place to discuss the needs of the Discovery student
   • The conference must include at least three of the following: parents/guardians, at least two school personnel (one of which must be a counselor or an administrator), and the GT/Discovery Campus Coordinator. If the committee agrees, the furlough will take place. If the committee is not in agreement, the decision will go to the District Selection Committee.
   • Other school personnel may also attend
3. Furlough and reinstatement will be re-addressed by the campus committee
   • K-5 at nine weeks
   • 6-12 annually

Exiting Procedures

The following procedures are for removing a student on a permanent basis from the GT/Discovery program services resulting in the student’s removal from GT status on the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS).

1. A parent, teacher, or student may initiate the exit procedure. If the Exit Process is initiated by a school representative, a letter requesting a meeting with the parents will be emailed to the parents of the student in question.
2. A conference will take place to discuss the needs of the GT/Discovery student.
   • The conference must include at least three of the following:  parents/guardians, at least two school personnel (one of which must be a counselor or an administrator), and the Campus Discovery Coordinator.  If the committee agrees, the exit will take place.  If the committee is not in agreement, the decision will go to the District Selection Committee (District GT Coordinators).
   • Other school personnel may also attend
3. An appeals process at the district level is required to invalidate an exit.  
   • A Parent/guardian, student, or teacher may initiate the appeals process.
   • The campus-level GT/Discovery Coordinator will provide the standard appeals form and the initiator of the request will forward the completed form to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  
   • The District Selection Committee will review the appeal request and make a final decision.

Discovery File Transfer Procedures

1. At the end of the school year, GT/Discovery Coordinators will pass the current 5th-grade and 8th-grade “Discovery Qualified” student portfolios to the MS/HS GT Coordinators for the subsequent school year. The “Discovery Did Not Qualify” folders will stay at the originating campus.
2. At the time of graduation, files will be delivered in accordance with current district policy.

Elementary Discovery Grading Rubric and Reporting to Parents

Students will be graded holistically during each nine-week period.  His/her work will be evaluated using the GT/Discovery Program goals. GT/Discovery grades will be included in the standard classroom report card.  

• E – Excellent
• S – Satisfactory
• N – Needs Improvement
• U– Unsatisfactory

SECONDARY DISCOVERY GRADING

Students will be graded on a numeric grading scale during each nine weeks. A student’s work may be evaluated using project rubrics or teacher-made assessments.