What kind of program does AISD offer for gifted students?
The AISD Gifted Program in grades K-12 covers the four core subject areas of language arts, math, science, and social studies.

Will my child go to a separate class or school for the gifted?
Program arrangements vary from campus to campus using various strategies to best serve gifted students on a particular campus. Some of the strategies include cluster grouping within a heterogeneous classroom, "pull-out" enrichment programs, or special gifted classes in core areas. Contact the school directly to receive details of the program arrangement being implemented to meet gifted students’ needs at your local campus. Teachers who work with gifted students have been specifically trained to extend, enrich, and differentiate curriculum for those students who need more than the regular curriculum provides.

Does my nomination mean that my child will be identified for the Gifted Program?
To be nominated is only the first step in the process of selection. Parents, teachers, and peers may make nominations. Older students have the option of self-nomination. If you nominate your child, your child’s teacher(s) will be asked to provide nomination information to supplement your nomination. Students nominated for the G/T program will all be screened, provided you give permission for testing. The screening phase includes several instruments, including both quantitative and qualitative measures.

Who decides if my child will be admitted to the Gifted Program?
A Campus Selection and Placement Committee reviews the data collected on the students who have been screened. The Selection and Placement Committee makes the final decision based on an analysis of collected information.

Will my child have to go through the identification process every year?
Once a child enters the AISD Gifted Program, he/she remains in it throughout all grade levels, unless exited according to stated procedures.

How do I know if my child is really gifted?
The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students states: "A '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 who: (1) exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; (2) possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or (3) excels in a specific academic field."

Looking at this definition, ask these questions:

• Does my child have exceptional abilities in one or more areas?
• Is an enriched regular curriculum enough to meet my child’s educational needs, or does my child really need a more modified curriculum?
• Does my child usually perform one or two grade levels beyond what is expected?

If I nominate my child, how will I know if he/she gets selected for the Gifted Program?
After the decisions are made by the Selection and Placement Committee, you will receive a notice stating whether or not your child was selected for the program this year. You will be asked to sign a permission form for your child to begin participation in the Gifted Program. If your child is not selected for the program, you will have the opportunity to nominate again. Some children do not demonstrate giftedness during the early school years, and you may want to consider waiting to nominate your child until he or she can handle the identification process.

Further general questions about the identification process may be addressed to the Department of Advanced Academic Services. Specific questions about the process on a local campus should be addressed to the principal or the GT Advocate on that campus.