Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) Program
The Duncanville Independent School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program is designed to meet the diverse and unique needs of the gifted population.
The GATE curriculum is designed to be a springboard to learning through interdisciplinary themes and higher-level thinking skills that will augment the TEKS to incorporate the four core areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Gifted and Talented students are offered learning opportunities designed to enrich and stimulate thinking skills, maximize intellectual and artistic growth, promote creativity, and expand leadership abilities to prepare them for lifelong success.
GATE Overview
- What does it mean to be gifted?
- GATE Student Expectations
- GATE Program Goals
- GATE Mission & Vision
- Duncanville ISD GATE Student Demographics
What does it mean to be gifted?
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
“Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).”
Texas Education Code
“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.
This definition is now codified in The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (Texas Education Agency, 2009), it is the basis for identification and services that must be provided for gifted and talented students in Texas.
GATE Student Expectations
Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.
GATE Program Goals
- Implement an ongoing identification process for grades K-12 based on multiple and specific criteria that will ensure every population has an equal opportunity for nomination, screening, and selection into the program.
- Provide an array of learning experiences that are appropriately differentiated and meaningfully linked to core content.
- Promote creative-problem solving and divergent thinking.
- Foster higher order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation).
- Guide students to develop a healthy self awareness of what it means to be gifted and encourage them to apply their talents toward responsible service to others.
- Provide ongoing training opportunities for administrators, counselors, and teachers involved in serving the needs of gifted and talented students.
- Encourage students to think not only of what is, but what can be.
GATE Mission & Vision
The mission of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program is to identify and serve students who are capable of high performance in general intellectual ability and creative productive thinking.
The vision of the GATE program is to create an environment that values and nurtures the unique needs of gifted and talented students.
Duncanville ISD GATE Student Demographics
- GATE Specialists Roles & Responsibilities
- Parent Resources
- GATE Testing
- Gifted and Talented Guidebook
- GATE FAQ
GATE Specialists Roles & Responsibilities
Parent Resources
For resources for Parents who have Gifted and Talented students click here.
GATE Testing
GATE Identification Process
Student Assessments
Scholars are identified for the Duncanville Independent School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program through a three step process:
- Recommendation- Scholars can be nominated by parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, or anyone who is familiar with the scholar’s abilities. The parent nomination form surveys their scholar’s abilities along with consenting to testing. This form is required for testing
- Screening- A cognitive assessment will be administered to determine cognitive potential. Scholars who exhibit a high performance will be given additional assessments. (Spanish assessments are available)
In order to qualify for GATE nominees are required to demonstrate above- average performance in at least 3 of the following areas:- Verbal Ability
- Quantitative Ability
- Nonverbal Ability
- Academic performances (Mathematics and English Language Arts)
- Standard Achievement
- Placement- Scholars documentation will be sent home and kept in a secured central office. Qualified scholars will receive 45 minutes of instruction, weekly.
Transfers
Furlough
Gifted and Talented Guidebook
GATE FAQ
GATE FAQs
- What does it mean to be gifted?
- What is the gifted and talented program in Duncanville?
- How are GATE students served in Duncanville ISD?
- How often are students identified and tested for GATE?
- What if my GT student transfers from another school district?
- Why must we serve the gifted and talented outside the regular curriculum?
- What is differentiation for the gifted/talented?
- Is it beneficial for a child to be identified as gifted and talented at a young age?
- How can gifted students be identified?
- What measures are used in Duncanville ISD to determine giftedness?
- Why does the district not use STAAR scores to determine GT placement?
- Who makes the decisions regarding identification of gifted children in Duncanville?
- What if parents are not satisfied with the Selection Committee's decision?
- I am new to the district and my child was identified as being gifted in another state or in another district in Texas. Is he/she automatically placed into the gifted program? What is the process? Who do I contact?
- Once students have been identified as gifted in Duncanville ISD, will they have to re-qualify to continue in the program?
- Will gifted services look the same on every elementary campus?
- What happens if a child decides not to continue in the Gifted Program? May a child re-enter the gifted program at a later time?
- How can parents help meet the needs of their gifted child?
- Who is required to have professional development in Gifted Education?
What does it mean to be gifted?
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
“Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).”
Texas Education Code
“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.
This definition is now codified in The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (Texas Education Agency, 2009), it is the basis for identification and services that must be provided for gifted and talented students in Texas.
What is the gifted and talented program in Duncanville?
The mission of the Duncanville Independent School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program is to identify and serve students who, by virtue of exceptional abilities, are capable of high performance in general intellectual ability, specific subject matter aptitude, and creative productive thinking.
How are GATE students served in Duncanville ISD?
- GATE students in elementary grades (1-4) are grouped in clusters that comprise approximately 6-12 students, and these classes are taught by teachers that meet current G/T teacher certification standards.
- GATE ensures differentiation for gifted students through portfolio documentation of advanced level student products and TEA Performance Standards projects.
- The district offers Gifted and Talented, Honors, AP and Dual Credit courses with differentiated curriculum that supports sophisticated content, process, and product in the four core areas, including technology integration.
How often are students identified and tested for GATE?
What if my GT student transfers from another school district?
Transfer students are to have their records reviewed by the Campus Screening Committee within 30 days of enrollment. Previously identified students with comparable test scores are eligible for identification as gifted and talented, or temporary placement by the Screening Committee. Transfer students that do not have comparable qualifying test scores are subject to nomination and placement in GATE within a semester of the time of their registration.
Why must we serve the gifted and talented outside the regular curriculum?
What is differentiation for the gifted/talented?
Differentiated curriculum is curriculum designed specifically to meet the needs of students identified as gifted/talented. Curriculum for gifted/talented students must be congruent with the characteristics that identify them as a distinct population.
The program for the gifted/talented provides multidimensional and appropriate learning experiences which incorporate the academic, psychological and social needs of these students.
Differentiated curriculum is composed of contents, processes, and products which are more advanced, more mature, and more sophisticated than those associated with the regular curriculum for other children.
Is it beneficial for a child to be identified as gifted and talented at a young age?
There are strong indications that much of a person's intelligence is developed very early. Habits and attitudes also develop early and have long lasting effects on academic success. It is important, therefore, that young gifted and talented children be provided with learning experiences that address their unique learning needs and abilities and foster positive attitudes that will enable them to work to their full potential.
How can gifted students be identified?
No single "test" or measure can reliably be used to identify giftedness. The best method for looking for “giftedness” in children is through a combination of long-term observation of the students' behaviors in a variety of situations by professionals who are familiar with the nature and needs of gifted children; evaluation of a student's products and performance over a period of time; and standardized measures that give information about how a student's performance and abilities in different areas compare with those of his or her peers. All of this information is compiled into a comprehensive “profile”, then reviewed and evaluated by a committee of professionals who are familiar with the nature and needs of gifted children, and with educational programming appropriate for gifted students.
Some gifted students may be obvious very early; others may reveal their exceptional potential more gradually. Because not all gifted children demonstrate their abilities in the same way or at the same developmental stage, it is important that the process of identification be continual and ongoing.
What measures are used in Duncanville ISD to determine giftedness?
Duncanville Independent School District employs multiple and diverse criteria in the identification of gifted students. Both quantitative and qualitative measures are used to compile a comprehensive profile on every student nominated for the program. Measures used to determine giftedness may include:
Cognitive Abilities Test
- Verbal score
- Nonverbal score
- Quantitative score
- Composite score
Why does the district not use STAAR scores to determine GT placement?
The STAAR test is an inappropriate measure for identification for a gifted program. STAAR is a criterion-referenced test designed to determine if a designated, core curriculum is being taught to Texas students. As a result, the test does not look at knowledge and/or skills that are above the students' grade levels. Identifying students for a gifted program requires determining if they are functioning significantly above grade level - something the STAAR test does not indicate.
Who makes the decisions regarding identification of gifted children in Duncanville?
Identification and placement recommendations are made at each campus by a Selection Committee. This committee may include: a principal, an assistant principal/dean, a counselor, a gifted specialist, a primary teacher representative, an intermediate teacher representative, and a content teacher representative. The committee reviews all the data collected for each child and determines whether or not there is evidence of giftedness and a need for the Gifted and Talented Program. No single criterion, such as IQ or achievement, is used for identification. A comprehensive profile of the student is reviewed and each criterion is evaluated and weighed equally.
What if parents are not satisfied with the Selection Committee's decision?
An appeals process is in place for parents who would like to appeal the campus Selection Committee's recommendation regarding placement of their child in the Gifted and Talented Program. By submitting a Letter of Appeal, parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, or any other interested party can initiate the process. A district-wide Appeals Committee will review the letter and make recommendations for further testing. When additional data has been collected the Campus Selection Committee will meet again to make the final decision regarding placement in the Gifted and Talented Program.
I am new to the district and my child was identified as being gifted in another state or in another district in Texas. Is he/she automatically placed into the gifted program? What is the process? Who do I contact?
Each school district in Texas sets its own criteria for placement in the GT program, but must include multiple criteria, both quantitative and qualitative. In some cases, if test scores are from an approved test and acquired within a calendar year, they can be used to meet criteria in DISD. In many cases, students must be re-evaluated for placement. Parents of students moving into the district in this circumstance should contact the campus GT Specialist to initiate the screening process. Bringing test scores from a prior GT placement in another district can help to expedite the process.
Once students have been identified as gifted in Duncanville ISD, will they have to re-qualify to continue in the program?
No, students who meet district criteria are not re-evaluated. Students continue automatically in the program through grade 12. Upon entering middle school, gifted students are reassessed to determine their area(s) of strength so that they may be placed in the appropriate Honors courses. At the secondary level, gifted students continue in Honors and Advanced Placement classes in the areas appropriate to meet their educational needs.
Will gifted services look the same on every elementary campus?
What happens if a child decides not to continue in the Gifted Program? May a child re-enter the gifted program at a later time?
If students choose at any time to withdraw from the Gifted and Talented Program, they may do so with parental permission, following the EXIT procedures. High school students must remain in at least one advanced course to receive GT services. Students may be placed on a furlough for a predetermined amount of time should circumstances warrant. Once a student has officially exited the program, he/she must re-qualify according to the current district criteria. This may mean retesting and collection of new data if that information is not current.
How can parents help meet the needs of their gifted child?
Parents can help meet their child's unique needs by providing them with a wide variety of experiences. Parents should take their gifted child to museums, plays, and the library just to name a few. They may play new games, sing, do experiments, engage in sports together, read to and with their child every day, allow "free" time for their child to let his or her imagination and curiosity and reflective thinking ability develop. If the child participates in structured educational enrichment programs, parent participation, input, and support are vital to ensure that the program is meeting the child's needs. Parents are their child's first teachers and have a responsibility to provide that child with secure, quality learning environments.
Who is required to have professional development in Gifted Education?
Teachers who provide instruction and services as part of the district’s GT services (which includes any classroom teacher who provides instruction in the four core content areas or in a Pre-AP or AP class) with a GT student assigned to their class, are required to receive a minimum of 30 clock hours of professional development prior to their assignment to provide GT services and instruction. This 30-hour training must include nature and needs, identification and assessment, curriculum and instruction, differentiating curriculum, and the social and emotional needs of gifted students. Teachers without required training must complete the 30–hour training within one semester of assignment to provide GT services and instruction. Teachers must also receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in Gifted Education.
Administrators and counselors who have authority for service decisions for GT students are required to receive six hours of professional development that includes nature and needs of gifted students and/or service options for gifted students.
Teachers should contact their campus GT Specialist for information regarding face-to-face and online training opportunities in DISD. GT sessions are offered in the district in the fall and spring semester as well as each summer. Online opportunities for GT training are also available through TAGT On-Demand and Region 10.