The document discusses gifted and talented programs in education. It defines gifted students as those performing at high levels compared to their peers. School districts must identify and serve gifted students through differentiated instruction to help them reach their full potential. Students can qualify for gifted programs through ongoing screening and assessments. Teachers of gifted students must challenge them with higher-order thinking questions and flexible lessons tailored to their advanced abilities.

1. Gifted and Talented In the Education System

2. What is the Purpose of the Gifted and Talented Program? This program is designed for students who perform or show the potential for performing at a high level when compared to others their age. Gifted and Talented students have special learning needs that school districts should meet so each student can reach their full potential. The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students provides information on practices, developments, and achievements in the field of G/T practices for school districts. It also assists districts in developing procedures and services.

3. Who qualifies as a Gifted and Talented Student? Requirements Ongoing screening and selection of students who perform at remarkably high levels in areas defined by the Texas Education Code Assessment measures collected from multiple sources according to each area defined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of G/T Students Specific tests are not required to identify G/T students and each district will screen with measures that work best for them Final selection of students is made by a committee of at least three local district educators who have received training in the nature and needs of G/T students One a student is identified G/T, the school district receives funds and the district is required to teach the student according to their gifted needs

4. How is Gifted and Talented Instruction Different? Pre-instruction assessment is required to determine areas of mastery Special strategies help G/T students make the most of their education experience (curriculum compacting and tiered assignments are two examples) The regular curriculum is differentiated by modifying content, process, product, and environment; by meeting advanced skills' needs, especially in the area of research. A combination of the strategies of differentiation, enrichment, and acceleration is used in designing appropriate programs. G/T students must have their instructional needs met daily or risk getting bored

5. Teachers and the Gifted and Talented Program Ask open-ended questions to motivate higher order thinking skills Use Bloom’s taxonomy when developing lesson content Develop thematic units with activities for students at all ability levels Keep student interest in mind Teachers must meet the needs of G/T students and hold their interest!

6. Did You Know? Nearly three million public elementary and secondary school students have been identified as gifted and talented. The learning rate of children above 130 IQ is approximately eight times faster than for children below 70 IQ. G/T students are inclined to use higher order thinking even without training. G/T students, in lecture situations, are likely to be both visual and auditory in their attainment and processing of knowledge. G/T students are likely to mistrust the benefits of small group learning so careful attention must be placed in showing them that the group can do better than the individual.

7. To Learn More about Gifted and Talented Programs Online Resources http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6420 http://www.txgifted.org/ http://www.nsgt.org/resources/programs.asp http://www.texaspsp.org/