Gifted and Talented

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GT Referral and Screening Process

All campuses in Austin ISD offer Gifted and Talented screening in grades K-12 based on referrals received by the Campus GT Advocate. 

Parents and caregivers can submit their child’s name to the Campus GT Advocate to be considered for the Gifted and Talented program. The Campus GT Advocate can provide more details.

Referral Dates for SY2021-22:

  • September 13-24 for grades 3-12
  • October 25-November 5 for grades Kindergarten-2

Los padres y cuidadores pueden proporcionar el nombre de su niño al representante de Dotados y Talentosos (GT, por sus siglas en inglés) de su escuela para que sea considerado en el Programa de Dotados y Talentosos. El representante GT de la escuela podrá darle información más detallada.

Fechas para proporcionar la información de su niño para el ciclo escolar 2021-2022:

  • Del 13 al 24 de septiembre para los grados 3-12
  • Del 25 de octubre al 5 de noviembre para los grados Kindergarten - 2

Students may be identified in one or more of the following areas: 

  • GT STEM (science and mathematics), 
  • GT Humanities (language arts and social studies), 
  • Talent Explore STEM (science and mathematics), or 
  • Talent Explore Humanities (language arts and social studies).  

Qualitative and quantitative measures are collected. Qualitative measures include a Parent Observation Form, Teacher Observation Form, and a student work sample completed at school. The quantitative measure is a standardized assessment.

The Parent Observation Form needs to be completed and signed to provide permission for the student to complete the screening process. The form must be submitted to the Campus GT Advocate during the Student GT Referral Window.

GT Transfers

GT status within Austin ISD

  1. Austin ISD students identified as GT or Talent Explore will remain in the program even if they change schools within the district.
  2. No additional documentation or action needed.

Returning to Austin ISD after leaving the district

  1. The parent/guardian must contact the front office of the school to request the contact information for the campus GT Advocate to have the student reinstated by the district. 
  2. Additional documentation may be required.

Requesting GT status in Austin ISD from out-of-district

  1. Students must be enrolled in Austin ISD. This process is only available to students identified as GT in school districts outside of Austin ISD.
  2. Parents/guardians will complete the Out-of-District Transfer Review Form. 
  3. The campus will request the required student records that document previous GT identification before the review can begin.
  4. The student’s GT placement decision will be sent to the parent and campus GT Advocate via email after the review of student records is completed.

Austin ISD Elementary GT Services

Elementary GT services include instruction by a teacher with the appropriate GT Foundations training within a cluster grouping model (small group of identified GT students within the general education classroom). Students have a GT Learning Plan based on their grade level.  Parents/guardians of identified GT students at the elementary level should expect a GT Student Services Summary each semester completed by the teacher.

Austin ISD Secondary GT Services

Secondary GT services include instruction by a teacher with the appropriate GT Foundations training and any required specialized training in the following options:

  • Advanced Courses,
  • Advanced Placement, 
  • Magnet (requires admission to magnet),
  • International Baccalaureate (requires admission to IB), 
  • Dual Credit (requires passing TSI score), or 
  • Advanced-level CTE courses. 

Gifted and Talented Resources

These resources are designed for parents/guardians and school staff.

Gifted and Talented Webinars

Austin ISD has purchased a site license for the following SENG webinars. Use access code CP2017 to view webinars.