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Gifted & Talented

Gifted and Talented

 

FAYETTEVILLE ISD

2023-2024 Gifted and Talented Referral Information

 

Fayetteville ISD is seeking students in our district for the Gifted and Talented Program that are achieving beyond that which may be expected of their peers in general intellectual ability and creative and productive thinking.

 

Program Goal

 

The general goal of Fayetteville ISD’s Gifted and Talented Program is to provide a differentiated educational experience for identified students in the district by providing instructional opportunities and other services designed to meet the unique needs of these students. These programs shall provide an appropriately differentiated curriculum and serve as an outlet for self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication. Gifted services are available in Kindergarten-12th grades. 

 

 

The Assessment Process

 

  • The state requires annual testing and a minimum of 3 assessments including quantitative and qualitative data. 
  • We use a combination of nationally normed standardized tests for ability, reasoning and achievement, as well as anecdotal data from teachers and/or parents. 
  • Additional data is collected as needed by the GT Coordinator.
  • Placement decisions are made at the campus level by the GT Committee.

 

Timeline and Checklist

  1. Determine whether testing for gifted services is right for your child. 
  2. If you would like to refer your child for testing, please fill out the Google form that is attached or a paper copy can be sent home with your child. 
  3. The forms must be completed by September 4, 2023.
  4. Note: If you need a Spanish form, please speak with Nikki Beseda to acquire a paper form as soon as possible.  
  5. Testing will begin in October and will be complete by the end of December.
  6. Notification of committee decisions will be made no later than February for initial placement.

 

Please contact Nikki Beseda with any additional questions.

nbeseda@fayettevilleisd.net         979-378-4242 ext. 140

 

Student Nomination Form: 

                      

Student Nomination Google Form 2023-2024      

 

Gifted and Talented Committee:

Holly Krebs, Priscilla Malota, McKenna Jasek, Tara Murphy, Brittany Noska 

Parent Meeting/Informational Session: 

If you would like additional information about the program, please contact Nikki Beseda. 

Location: The meeting will be by phone. 

FAYETTEVILLE ISD 

Gifted and Talented Program 

NOMINATION PROCESS

Nominations may be made by any professional staff member, parent, student self nomination or interested party of Fayetteville ISD.

  1. The parental consent nomination form is completed and turned in by the date specified on the nomination form. 

  2. The Renzulli Checklist is to be completed by teacher and parent and turned in by the specified date. 

IDENTIFICATION- GRADES 1-12

Once all nomination forms are received by the GT Coordinator, assessments will be conducted. The assessment tools may include, but are not limited to, the following: achievements tests, intelligence tests, creativity tests, behavioral checklists completed by teachers and parents, and available student work products. 

After the completion of all assessments, the GT Committee shall evaluate each nominated student according to the established criteria and shall identify those students for whom placement in the gifted and talented program is the most appropriate educational setting. The committee shall be composed of at least three professional educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students. 

A letter will be sent home explaining the assessment results. Students qualifying for the Gifted and Talented Program will require parental consent before admittance into the program. 

If a student is tested and does not qualify for the GT program while in 1st-5th grade, they will not be eligible for reassessment until their 6th grade year. 

 

SCREENING PROCESS FOR  KINDERGARTEN 

All kindergarten students will  be screened using the NNAT-3. Once the inventory is completed, students exhibiting gifted and talented characteristics can be nominated for the program during the next school year. 

TRANSFER STUDENTS

When a student identified as gifted by a previous school district enrolls in Fayetteville ISD, they shall be placed in the Gifted and Talented Program for the remainder of the current school year.

Fayetteville ISD could assess the student during the next school year using the district’s established identification criteria, and the GT committee shall determine if continued placement in the program is appropriate. 

SERVICE DESIGN

Students in grades 1-8 are served during the regular school day in a push-in setting tailored to meet the needs of the individual students.

Students entering 9th grade have the option of completing dual credit courses along with their regular course work. 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 

Opportunities are provided for students to pursue areas of interest in selected disciplines through guided and independent research. 

Flexible pacing is employed, allowing students to learn at the pace and level appropriate to their abilities and skills. 

The GT Coordinator collaborates with general education teachers to ensure that GT students are provided with differentiated learning experiences when appropriate. 

 

FURLOUGHS

A furlough defined as a temporary “leave of absence” from gifted services to meet the needs of an identified GT student. Parents, students, teachers, or administrators may request a furlough for educational, psychological, or personal reasons. A furlough may be also used for students who are unable to maintain satisfactory performance within the structure of the gifted services. 

If a student in 9-12 grade chooses to not enroll in dual credit classes for the year, they will be furloughed. If they choose to not enroll again the following year, they will be exited from the GT program.

EXIT

Students may be exited based upon a recommendation of the parent, teacher, counselor or administrator that the student is not progressing satisfactorily. Students may be exited from the program for poor performance or for not participating in dual credit courses.

The campus selection committee will review issues before a final decision is made in the student’s best interest. An excited student must be reassessed and meet current district criteria before returning to the program.