Service Design in HPISD
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GIFTED AND TALENTED?
According to the State of Texas, 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 and 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.
TAG Services in Highland Park seek to develop and nurture student potential and provide continuous opportunities for advanced performance.
CURRENT SERVICE DESIGN
Kindergarten and First Grade
The campus TAG Specialist and the classroom teacher provide differentiated lessons to all Kindergarten and first-grade students throughout the year. Lessons emphasize creativity and problem-solving strategies that nurture deductive reasoning skills, risk-taking, and analytical thinking.
Grades 2-5
Identified students are served in pull-out programs by campus specialists. The math pull-out program meets daily and provides a differentiated curriculum that is advanced. The Explorations pull-out program meets two hours weekly and provides a science, social studies, and language arts interdisciplinary curriculum.
Grades 6-8
TAG classes offer identified students instruction in the disciplines of language arts, science, social studies, and/or math. These classes offer appropriately differentiated learning experiences as well as an advanced, enriched curriculum.
Grades 9-12
High school classes for identified students fulfill requirements for graduation and include pre-AP TAG classes for ninth graders and AP TAG classes for students in grades eleven and twelve. Classes offer appropriately differentiated learning experiences, advanced curriculum, and opportunities for enrichment.
SCREENING PROCEDURES
Referral
A parent/guardian, principal, teacher, counselor, student, or community member may nominate a student for the identification process; Referral forms are available on the TAG website.
Assessment
Data collected through both objective and subjective assessments shall be measured against the criteria approved by the Board to determine individual eligibility for the program. Assessment tools may include but are not limited to, the following: achievement tests, ability tests, creativity tests, behavioral checklists completed by teachers and parents, student/parent conferences, and available student work products.
The Selection Committee
The Selection Committee consists of at least three local district educators who have received training in the nature and needs of the gifted. The committee may request additional information such as a portfolio of student work, an interview with the student, and/or an additional critical thinking assessment in order to determine how best to meet the student's needs.
Parent Notification
Parents will be notified by letter of the Selection Committee's decision. The letter will accompany the student's assessment data.
Appeals
A parent/guardian, student, or educator may request an appeal of the Selection Committee's decision within ten days of the date of notification. Parents may initiate an appeal by completing an appeal form found on the TAG Website.
Furlough
Upon written request of the parent/guardian, a student may be granted a leave of absence from TAG services. A furlough may be granted for reasons such as class schedule conflicts, student illness, serious illness or death of a family member, and short-term relocation of the family.
Exiting Procedures
Exiting of students from TAG program services is based on multiple criteria including student performance in the program. Exiting is finalized by committee decision after consultation with parents and students regarding the most appropriate educational placement.
Transfer Students
A student transferring to HPISD from outside the district will be assessed after the campus receives a Referral Form. Referral forms can be found on the TAG website or by contacting the campus TAG Specialist/Coordinator. Please request testing within three weeks of enrollment. If identified, the student will be placed in TAG classes.