Kindergarten GT Parent Meeting December 5, 2013

Introductions DSISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Greg Jung District GT Coordinator Tami Ballard Dripping Springs ISD GT Teachers Susan McManus, DSISD GT Specialist K - 3 Sheri Crossett, DSISD GT Specialist 4-5

GT Program Delivery The DSISD GT Program is a 5 day a week program. All homeroom teachers of gifted students are GT trained and/or GT certified and provide differentiated instruction in all core subjects. GT Students in grades 3-5 spend the day with the GT Specialist. Students will attend special areas, lunch and recess with their homeroom class.

GT Program Delivery GT Students in first & second grade spend approximately 130 minutes per week with the GT Specialist, Students identified in the kindergarten identification process, will begin GT classes in March and will spend approximately 60 minutes per week with the GT Specialist. Kindergarten GT services begin March 1, 2013 Deadline for Kindergarten GT Assessment January 17,2013

GT Program Delivery GT Specialists will provide enrichment experiences which are designed to support and extend the grade level curriculum. GT students will have the opportunity explore topics which interest them and participate in experiences which provide for high levels of critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, creativity and innovation. Experiences will include, but are not limited to; Future Problem Solvers, Math Olympiad, Science Fair, Literature Studies, Lego robotics, Individual Research Investigations and math studies.

GT Program Delivery What is happening in the homeroom class when my child is with the GT Specialist? Small group instruction for enrichment and/or reinforcement of grade level curriculum. Teachers will not introduce new concepts, give tests, have class parties or require students to make up missed assignments for homework. GT students are responsible for mastery of all grade level concepts, but homeroom teachers may compact the curriculum for GT students by pre- testing, shortening assignments and/or using individual learning contracts.

Questions and Answers

Bright Child Gifted Learner Knows the answers Asks the questions Is interested Is highly curious Is attentive Is physically and mentally involved Has good ideas Has wild, silly ideas Works hard Plays around, yet tests well Answers the questions Discusses in detail, elaborates Top group Beyond the group Listens with interest Shows strong feelings and opinions Bright Child / Gifted Learner

Bright ChildGifted Learner Learns with ease Already knows 6-8 repetitions for mastery 1-2 repetitions for mastery Understands ideas Constructs abstractions Enjoys peers Prefers adults Grasps the meaning Draws inferences Completes assignments Initiates projects Is receptive Is intense Copies accurately Creates a new design

Bright ChildGifted Learner Is receptive Is intense Enjoys school Enjoys learning Absorbs information Manipulates information Technician Inventor Good memorizer Good guesser Enjoys straight forward, sequential presentation Thrives on complexity

GT Assessment Process Students in grades k-12 are identified as General Intellectual. Step one in the referral process is to complete and submit an on-line GT referral form. The form can be found on the District website. When the form has been received, the referral process will be initiated. This process may take several weeks, depending on the outcome of each level of assessment.

GT Assessment Process Assessment Process Stage 1- Standardized Testing Stage 2- Home Survey and School Survey Stage 3- Planned Learning Experiences There are 6 assessments involved in the GT identification process. Students must meet the criteria in 5 of the 6 measures to be identified as GT. If students meet the criteria in 4 of the 6 measure they are eligible for appeal to the GT assessment committee. If students do not meet the standard in any of the 3 assessments in the standardized testing stage, we will not proceed to stage 2.

GT Assessment Process When the assessments are complete, the data will be reviewed by the district GT assessment committee, who will determine eligibility. The district assessment committee meets each nine weeks. Parents will be notified of placement decisions by mail after the assessment committee meeting. Questions related to the assessment results or the assessment process should be directed to the Campus Principal or District GT Coordinator.

GT Assessment Process

Questions and Answers