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What is Gifted and Talented?

Protected by state law and district policy.

Gifted and talented (GT) refers to a child who performs or shows the potential of

performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to

others of the same age, experience, or environment.

Gifted and talented children may also exhibit an unusual capacity for

leadership or high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or

artistic area.

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What is Talent Explore (TE)?

Talent Explore (TE): A unique AISD program for students with high ability or potential in specific subject areas.

Students in Talent Explore are provided opportunities to further develop their academic and creative abilities.

Identification Process: Students are identified as TE by participating in the GT screening process.

Reassessment: TE students may benefit from repeating the GT assessment in the following school year as they progress academically.

Can my child be be BOTH GT and Talent Explore?

Yes! *You can be TE in a non-GT identified area if the student qualifies.

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Areas Considered for (GT) and Talent Explore (TE)

GT STEM (Science and/or Mathematics)
GT Humanities (Language Arts and/or Social Studies)
Talent Explore STEM (Science and/or Mathematics)
Talent Explore Humanities (Language Arts and/or Social Studies)

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Districtwide Standardized Services
Elementary School	Middle School	High School
GT Cluster Grouping GT Learning Plans & GT Student Services Summary GT SEL Lessons Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP)	Advanced Courses Magnet (requires admission) GT Learning Plans AVID Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP)	Advanced Placement Magnet (requires admission) International Baccalaureate (requires admission) Dual Credit (requires passing TSI score) Advanced-level CTE courses AVID Garza Online courses GT Learning Plan
Contact System Wide Testing (SWT) or your Campus Testing Coordinator (CTC) for questions related to grade skipping and Credit-by-Exam
Grade skipping (requires an examination)	Credit-by-Exam	Credit-by-Exam

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GT Service Model for Elementary

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GT Service Model for Secondary

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GT Identification

Student Assessment

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Who can refer a student?

Parents/Caregiver

Any Staff Member on Campus

Teachers

Regardless of who refers the student, forms will be requested from BOTH the teacher and the parent/caregiver.

Referrals

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Student Assessment for Identification

Type	Grades K and 1st	Grades 2nd -12th
Formal Assessment (Quantitative Measure)	NNAT Map Growth Reading Math	CogAT Map Growth Reading Math
Online Referral Form (Qualitative Measure)	Teacher Observation Form Parent Observation Form	Teacher Observation Form Parent Observation Form
Possible Qualitative Measures (Qualitative Measure)	Possible student work samples Possible common grade level assessments	Possible student work samples Possible common grade level assessments

What are NNAT and CogAT?
NNAT (Kinder and 1st Only)	The NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test) is an assessment used to measure a child’s reasoning and problem-solving skills without relying on language. It uses shapes and patterns to evaluate how children understand and analyze visual information, making it suitable for students from diverse backgrounds. The NNAT is often used to identify gifted and talented students in elementary schools.
CogAT (2nd-12th)	The CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is an assessment used to evaluate students' reasoning abilities in three key areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. The verbal section measures language-based reasoning skills, the quantitative section assesses numerical problem-solving abilities, and the nonverbal section evaluates reasoning using shapes and patterns, which minimizes language bias.

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Committee Review

All assessment information is reviewed by the members of the GT committee and an administrator.

The committee reviews different pieces of information and follows a rubric made by Austin ISD to determine qualification for GT services (and in which subject areas).

Parents/caregivers are notified of the decision by the campus.

Required	Optional
CogAT (Grades 2-12) NNAT (Grades K-1) Teacher Observation Parent Observation	Work Samples Common Assessments Student Interviews

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Bright v. Gifted

What are the differences?

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GT Transfers

In- District v. Out-of-District

In-District Transfer	Out-of-District Transfer
If a student is moving from one Austin ISD school to another, the GT identification will follow the student.	If a student identified as GT is moving into Austin ISD from another school district (in-state or out-of-state), a transfer form must be submitted.
Helpful Tip: It is beneficial to get in contact with the campus GT Advocate to help address any specific questions related to the new school.	Helpful Tip: Parent should contact the campus GT Advocate. Parents and Advocate gather paperwork from previous out-of-district school. Parents submit the transfer form: Transfer Review Form

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Frequently Asked Questions

When do GT Services Start?	GT Services for previously identified GT students will begin in August. GT services for newly identified GT students will begin in January.
In which content areas are GT services provided?	Services are provided for STEM (math and science) and Humanities (language arts and social studies).
Does my child need to be re-tested every year?	Your child does NOT need to be re-tested yearly. Once identified, the GT identification remains with your child as long as they are enrolled in AISD.
How will GT services change my student’s school experience?	GT students will have opportunities to explore subjects with increased depth and complexity, while continuing to master grade-level skills. GT students will also be given opportunities to work together in pairs and/or small groups, as well as independently. Teachers with GT training will provide advanced-level opportunities to challenge students rather than increase workload.
How are teachers trained to provide GT services?	The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students requires that any teacher who works with GT students receive 30 hours of foundations training through specific gifted education courses that address all aspects of gifted learners. Teachers also complete a yearly GT training update.
How is my child impacted if they are identified for any other special services (Special Education, 504, etc.)?	GT identification has no impact on special services your child may already be receiving. GT students will continue to receive all modifications/accommodations.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Continued)

Can my child be enrolled in the Dual Language program and also receive GT services?	Yes. Students identified as GT can continue to participate in the Dual Language program. Campuses will provide opportunities for GT students to work together throughout the school year.
What is Talent Explore (TE)?	Talent Explore (TE): A unique AISD program for students with high ability or potential in specific subject areas.Students in Talent Explore are provided opportunities to further develop their academic and creative abilities. Identification Process: Students are identified as TE by participating in the GT screening process.Reassessment: TE students may benefit from repeating the GT assessment in the following school year as they progress academically.
If my student was not identified as GT, or was identified as TE, can they be reevaluated?	Yes. Students can be reevaluated the next school year for GT services.
My student was previously identified as GT in another school district. Does this transfer to Austin ISD?	Parents and caregivers may complete the Out-of-District Transfer Review Form. Your campus will request student records to document previous GT identification from the previous campus. These records will be reviewed and the GT identification decision will be sent to the parent/caregiver and campus GT Advocate.
How often can my student retest if they are not identified?	Students can be reevaluated the next school year for GT Services. NEW SY 2024-2025 CogAT scores will now be good for two years. MAP scores, teacher observation, and parent/caregiver observation will be collected at each reevaluation.

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Academic Acceleration - Students move beyond the regular grade level curriculum through different learning options, such as special projects and activities written at a higher grade level, grade skipping, or advanced course.
Advanced-Level Differentiation - Different learning options that allow the student to work at a more challenging pace and level within the grade level curriculum.
GT Exemplar Lessons – Austin ISD Lessons that offer advanced-level learning opportunities for gifted students.
GT Scope and Sequence Skills Continuum - A set of K-12 skills and strategies developed by Austin ISD and used by teachers when planning advanced-level learning opportunities.
Depth and Complexity - Set of strategies that promote higher levels of thinking and knowledge to help students develop deeper understanding (depth) or understand relationships between different ideas (complexity).
Enrichment - Activities designed to allow students to dig deeper into a topic of study.
Extension Menus - Students are provided with an organized set of learning options to choose from in a menu format.

Flexible Grouping - Students move from group to group flexibly in the classroom according to the student’s academic ability, learning style, or interests based on the lessons planned by the teacher.
Higher Level Questions - Challenging questions that increase the level of rigor and challenge in the classroom.
Independent Study - Students conduct research or study an issue or idea, usually on a topic of choice, with little to no assistance from other students in the class.
Learning Styles - Teachers plan differentiated lessons according to individual student learning styles to help students learn new information more easily.
Research Projects - Students study a topic or issue to collect information, facts, and data to develop a project to share with others.
Student Choice - Teachers provide students with pre-selected choices on topics or assignments to complete in class.
Technology Integration - Different technology tools, programs, or apps are included in a lesson or assignment.
Tiered Assignments - Different learning opportunities are provided to students according to their academic level. Gifted students may work on an advanced activity while other students are working on a grade-level activity on the same topic.

Terminology Guide

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Resources

Supporting GT Students and their Families

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Resources

Opportunities for Students:

GT Blend Course

Family Support:

Gifted & Talented Family Connection (Portal)

Growing the Gifted Newsletters:

English | Spanish

Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented:

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