Screening and Referral Process
DISD uses both screening and referrals to identify current students who may need GT services.
Screening Current DISD Students
This process is conducted for all students not receiving GT services during kindergarten and 2nd grade. Since universal screening occurs, all students are considered for GT services.
Kindergarten |
All Kindergarten students are automatically considered for gifted/talented services (Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students 1.5.2R.) through screening assessments administered to all students in grade K beginning in September. Students who meet qualifying criteria from screening assessments will be recommended for further testing following scoring of screenings. Parents will be notified in writing of student assessment results and placement recommendation and services for Kinder G/T students will begin March 1 each year.
Second Grade |
All second graders not currently receiving GT services will participate in a cognitive abilities test during the fall semester. Because of this screener, there is no need to refer them for testing.
Students new to disd
Referrals and review of previously identified G/T students new to DISD or students who participated in home school or private school prior to enrollment in DISD will initiate upon enrollment in a DISD school. Campuses will request previous G/T identification criteria (if applicable) and the G/T Selection and Review Committee will review to determine if students meet eligibility requirements for identification in DISD. More assessments may be requested if needed. Students will be reviewed and assessed within 6-9 weeks of enrollment and recommendations will be communicated to parents in writing.
Referrals
This process is for current 1-12 students who are not currently receiving GT services in DISD. Parents, students, and staff can make a referral. Please check the DISD Gifted & Talented website for the assessment timeline. Students referred after the deadlines will be assessed in the next testing cycle in the following year.
Referral Deadlines
Kindergarten: December 1st
1st – 12th Grade: October 1st
DISD GT Referral - NOT previously receiving GT services
Identification Process
Each student in grades 1 – 12 who is nominated is assessed using instruments determined by the DISD G/T Selection & Review Committee. At least two different types of data, qualitative and quantitative, are used in the identification process. Assessment instruments may include, but are not limited to:
- Parent Referral
- Ability Testing
- Achievement Testing
- Teacher Perception Inventory
- Planned Experiences
- Gifted assessment data from previous years may also be used to make a determination
- Written parent/guardian permission must be secured for any testing not given to the entire grade level. This may be done on the Parent Referral Questionnaire/Permission to test letter or another permission to test form. Forms are returned to the Counselor of the attending school and the assessment process begins.
- The campus GT Liaison other professional who is knowledgeable in the field of gifted education administers any specialized assessment. Assessments may also be given online.
- Nominated students are referred to the DISD G/T Selection & Review Committee who gather data and complete the Gifted/Talented Profile sheet for each nominated student. Committee membership requires completion of thirty foundational hours of training in gifted education and an annual six hour update.
- Students who miss G/T assessments due to excused absences may attend a make-up assessment or complete assessments during the next G/T assessment scheduled according to the district timeline.
Appealing an Identification Decision
A parent or staff member may appeal an identification decision made by the placement committee. An appeal letter must be submitted no later than 10 working days after the committee announces its placement decisions. The committee will respond to the appeal within 10 working days after the appeal meeting. Any further appeals should follow FNG (LOCAL) beginning at Level Two.