Gifted and Talented Education

Mission Statement

Poteet Independent School District will plan and implement procedures to enable the outstanding abilities of gifted and talented students to emerge, be recognized, and to be developed through optimum educational experiences.

General Program Description

The District shall establish a process for identifying and serving gifted and talented students and shall establish a program for those students in each grade level in accordance with Texas Education Code 29.122.

"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 and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or excels in a specific academic field. Texas Education Code 29.121.

Students shall be identified as gifted/talented in accordance with written policy that includes:

1. Provisions for ongoing screening and selection of students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkable high levels of accomplishment in the areas defined in Education Code 29.121.

2. Assessment measures collected from multiple sources according to each area defined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students.

3. Data and procedures designed to ensure that students from all populations in the District have access to assessment and, if identified, to services provided for the gifted/talented program.

4. Provisions for final selection of students to be made by a committee of at least three local District educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students.

5. Provisions regarding furloughs, reassessment, exiting of students from program services, transfer students, and appeals of District decisions regarding program placement.

The District shall provide an array of learning opportunities for gifted/talented students in kindergarten through grade 12 and shall inform parents of the opportunities. Options shall include:

1. Instructional and organizational patterns that enable identified students to work together as a group, to work with other students, and to work independently.

2. A continuum of learning experiences that leads to the development of advanced-level products and performances.

3. In-school, and when possible, out-of-school options relevant to the student's area of strength that are available during the school year.

4. Opportunities to accelerate in areas of strength.

If you are in need of additional information, please contact the Special Programs and Student Support Services Office at (830)276-8767 or your child's principal or counselor.