1. AGENDA Purpose of Meeting Introductions Characteristics of the Gifted
Identification Process
Questions

2. GT Awareness Parent Meeting
Gifted and Talented
Characteristics and Identification
MONTGOMERY ISD

3. From http://txgifted.org/what-giftedness
What is giftedness?
"Gifted and talented student" means 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.
From

4. Characteristics of Gifted Children
Keen power of observation
Power of abstraction, conceptualization, synthesis, interest in problem solving
Questioning attitude, intrinsic motivation
Critical thinker, self-checking
Creativeness and inventiveness

5. Characteristics of Gifted Children (continued)
Power of concentration, long attention span
Persistent, goal-directed behavior
Sensitivity, intuitiveness, empathy for others
Independence in work and study with preference for individual work
Diversity of interests and abilities
Found in all cultural groups, all races, and all economic groups

6. Aren’t all students gifted?
Don’t confuse “giftedness” with “personal strengths”
Identifying needs of students is important when they vary significantly from his/her classmates.
It’s not about worth. It’s about need.
While we all have personal strengths and weaknesses (things we do better or worse than others), we wouldn’t identify our weaknesses as disabilities. Personal strengths don’t translate to “gifts” in the educational context.
We don’t consider gifted students to have more worth. We don’t consider students with disabilities to have less worth. It comes down to what students need.

7. High Achiever
Gifted Learner
Creative Thinker
Remembers the answers
Poses unforeseen questions
Sees exceptions
Is interested
Is curious
Wonders
Is attentive
Is selectively mentally engaged
Daydreams; may seem off task
Generates advanced ideas
Generates complex, abstract ideas
Overflows with ideas, many of which will never be developed
Works hard to achieve
Knows without working hard
Plays with ideas and concepts
Answers the questions in detail
Ponders with depth and multiple perspectives
Injects new possibilities
Performs at the top of the group
Is beyond the group
Is in own group
Responds with interest
and opinions
Exhibits feelings and opinions
from multiple perspectives
Shares bizarre, sometimes conflicting opinions
Learns with ease
Already knows
Questions: What if...
Needs 6 to 8 repetitions to master
Needs 1 to 3 repetitions to master
Questions the need for mastery
Comprehends at a high level
Comprehends in-depth,
complex ideas
Overflows with ideas--many of which will never be developed
Enjoys the company of age peers
Prefers the company of
intellectual peers
Prefers the company of creative peers, but often works alone
Understands complex, abstract humor
Creates complex, abstract humor
Relishes wild, off-the-wall humor
Grasps the meaning
Infers and connects concepts
Makes mental leaps: Aha!
Completes assignments on time
Initiates projects and
extensions of assignments
Initiates more projects
than will ever be completed
Is receptive
Is intense
Is independent and unconventional
Is accurate and complete
Is original and continually developing
Enjoys school often
Enjoys self-directed learning
Enjoys creating
Absorbs information
Manipulates information
Improvises
Is a technician with
expertise in a field
Is an expert who abstracts
beyond the field
Is an inventor and idea generator
Memorizes well
Guesses and infers well
Creates and brainstorms well
Is highly alert and observant
Anticipates and relates observations
Is intuitive
Is pleased with own learning
Is self-critical
Is never finished with possibilities
Gets A's
May not be motivated by grades
Is able
Is intellectual
Is idiosyncratic
Allow time for participants to check their work. Point out to participants again that the three categories are not mutually exclusive. A gifted learner may not possess all of the characteristics in the center column, and each child will have unique qualities and attributes.
Kingore, B., Ph.D., (2004). High Achiever, Gifted Learner, Creative Thinker, Professional Associates Publishing. Used with permission.
Szabos, J. (1989). Bright Child, Gifted Learner. Used with permission.

8. Student Identification Process
Screening – Level One
Classroom Planned Experiences (K-5)
Free Association Screening Tool
Parent survey
Teacher Survey
District Universal Screening Data (Nationally Normed)
If the child’s scores indicate the need for further testing, they will move on to Level Two and will be tested.
Testing – Level Two
Must score in the top 5%

9. Calendar and Timelines
September 26 - Community GT Awareness Meeting
October 20 - Parent Initiated Referral Deadline
January 12 - Notification to parents regarding Level 1 mailed (KINDERGARTEN ONLY)
January Level 2 Testing of KINDERGARTNERS who qualified
January 12 – Notification to parents regarding Level 1 mailed (GRADES 1-11)

10. Calendar and Timelines
January Level 2 Testing of students in GRADES who qualified
February 23 - Notification to parents regarding Level 2 mailed (KINDERGARTEN ONLY)
March 1 - Kindergarten services begin
April 13 – Notification to parents regarding Level 2 mailed (GRADES 1-11)

11. Calendar and Timelines
May 4 - Appeals request due to campus counselor
May 11- Appeals portfolios due
May District level appeals
June 1 - Appeals notification to parents
August st-12TH grade services begin

12. Program Components Elementary Level Secondary Level Other Components
Cluster grouping in the regular classroom
Differentiation as appropriate
Texas Performance Standards Project
Secondary Level
Independent study class available to high school junior and seniors
Pre-AP, AP, Dual Credit
Other Components
Destination Imagination
Fine Arts electives
Clubs
Contests

13. More Information and Forms
MISD Website:
Follow this path:
Departments
Curriculum and Instruction
Student Services
Gifted and Talented
Questions?
Please contact your child’s counselor