2. According to information provided through the Texas Education Agency website, "The state's goal is to ensure that students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication. This is evident by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity are advanced in relationship to students of similar age, experience, or environment. High school graduates who participated in services for gifted/talented students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.“ The Texas Education agency defines a "gifted/talented student" as a child or youth 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  exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;  possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or  excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code Sec. 29.121) All districts in the state of Texas are required to establish a process for identifying G/T students and develop enrichment programs at each grade level. GPISD is committed to ensuring that the state's expectations are not only met, but accounted for, as we continue to expand and improve our G/T program for our students right here at MAC!

3.  The district has established G/T assessment and selection requirements for each grade level, testing kindergarten students in the fall (along with any new G/T students to the district) and grades one through five throughout the spring semester.  Students will be tested for the G/T program based on their academic performance in the classroom, state assessments, as well as teacher/parent nominations.  Students must receive parent permission for G/T testing, and if identified/selected, parent permission to participate in the Journeys Program.

4.  While the Journeys program services the top performing students at each elementary campus (grades K-5), the Encounters Program services the top performing 5-10% of students in grades 4-9 throughout the district. Student selections for the Encounters program are made after student testing in the spring semester.  Results for G/T testing are sent home to parents sometime throughout the summer via mail (G/T students who are new to the district may be tested upon arrival).  Students who are chosen for the elementary Encounters program will be serviced one day per week (Thursdays)by Mrs. Rountree, the fourth and fifth grade Encounters teacher, located at Normandy Crossing Elementary. This class includes all fourth and fifth grade Encounters students throughout the district, providing these students with an enriched curriculum and the unique opportunity to work among their high-performing peers.  More information regarding the district's Encounters programs can be found at Mrs. Rountree's Webpage.Mrs. Rountree's Webpage

5.  New G/T teachers are required to complete an initial 30 hours of G/T staff development before December 12, 2015.  All other G/T teachers must complete 6 update hours of G/T staff development (annually required) before December 1, 2015.  GT Trainings/Staff Development Opportunities include: › GT Fall Institute (9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14…8:00 -4:30) › Other District Trainings..TBA

6. Students who are identified as G/T through district selections are required to receive 150 minutes of G/T instruction and services each week. Instructional expectations for G/T teachers include:  Following the district Scope and Sequence for instructional planning  Establishing a positive atmosphere for writing, reading, and learning  Differentiating lessons and scaffolding areas of weakness  Incorporating flexible groups  Allowing students to develop skills in complex thinking  Delivering explicit instruction in comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, and creative skills  Allowing student choices when possible  Developing listening, speaking, and research skills  Using appropriate assessment tools to determine instruction FYI: Find G/T lessons and activities on GT conference (in First Class) and in any Teacher Edition (extensions/enrichment)

7.  GT students in grades 1-5 are required to complete at least two Journeys projects a year, one each semester, and the majority should be done in class.  Kinder students who are identified in the fall will be required to complete one Journeys project in the spring.  Projects must be Texas Performance Standards Projects (www.texaspsp.org) or from the Envision Curriculum (3-5).www.texaspsp.org  Projects should be posted on the GT conference (First Class email), and should include project details (parent letter), rubrics, and pictures of completed projects.  The Gifted and Talented Family Night, or Journeys Showcase, will be in the spring, so keep student projects for the big event!

8.  Use the report card template distributed (also available online), and send them home with regular report cards each nine-weeks.  Focuses for each grading period may include the following: › Research, Higher-Order Thinking Development, Creativity, and Social Emotional Development. › TPSP or Envision Project Objectives › Other specific areas of Focus

9. The district evaluates campus programs using Score Cards, which outline expectations for acceptable, recognized, and exemplary rankings. In order to meet the exemplary district requirements, G/T teachers will need to complete and submit the following:  Complete 30 initial G/T hours or 6 annual G/T hours before December 12, 2015.  Provide 150 minutes of G/T instruction each week, and submit lesson plans (one per nine-week grading period) that document these enrichment activities.  Assign at least two G/T projects this year, one each semester, and add them to the G/T conference (in First Class).  Create Journeys report cards for all G/T students and send them home each nine-weeks with their regular report cards (submit copies of 3-5 student report cards at the end of the third nine-weeks.

10. Each year, the MacArthur Academic Decathlon Team, or Team MAD, selects and coaches a group of dedicated student team members to prepare for and compete in the GPISD Academic Decathlon Meet. Held on a Saturday in May (May 21, 2016), two fourth graders and two fifth graders from each team compete with other students (in their grade level) in the following ten events:  Dictionary Skills  Number Sense/Calculator Skills  Listening Skills  Spelling  Maps/Graphs/Charts  Art  Social Studies  Ready Writing  Poetry/Prose  Science Interested in coaching? We are interested in YOU! Team MAD continues to be a top contender in this competition, so please join us in bringing home the Gold! =]