GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM

2021-22 SBMS GT Liaison: Lorena Guilanshah

GT Referral Program - Middle School

Parents can refer a child for the GT Program in middle school, fill out the SBISD GT Parent Referral Form HERE. The referral process has three levels and is outlined in the GT brochure. The 2021 referral window is September 15 - October 22.

Identified GT students in grades 6-12 are provided services specific to their areas of giftedness: language arts/social studies and/or math/science.

GT students may be grouped in GT-only classes, clustered in AAC/AP classes. The grouping varies by grade level and subject area.

Learn more regarding referral information.

Did you know?

According to the TEA, GT is considered a special student population. Others include special education, dyslexia, English Language Learners, Highly Mobile and At Risk, Review and Support and Section 504. Learn more about what is going on in these other groups.

Appeals

Students that were declined may submit an appeals portfolio with supporting evidence for the identification committee to consider. Save any work that demonstrate's your child's characteristics of giftedness. The district's process is outlined in the Appeals brochure. GT Appeals due date is TBD.

Did you know? A GT parent went through the appeals process unsuccessfully, but challenged the decision and successfully appealed the appeal.

Acceleration

Two year acceleration is offered in math as a single subject or a whole grade can be skipped. Learn more about middle school math sequence options. Here's another presentation.

Credit by Exam (CBE) is for all students grades K-12, but it is mostly GT kids who take this exam.

Download the district CBE flyer. Use the UT High School study guides or these additional resources to have your student prepare for the exam.

Did you know?

-A GT parent successfully appealed a qualifying exam score (just below passing) and student was accepted on the two year math track at SBMS.

-A non GT student passed the Credit by Exam in early elementary and was accelerated in math.

Resources

"Academic Acceleration has No Negative Long-Term Effects on the Psychological Well-Being of Gifted Youth," by Bonnie Ertelt, August 3, 2020; Research News@Vanderbilt
Merit based scholarships for summer enrichment programs by Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) deadline March 31st***
Camp Invention June 14-18 (K-6), Leader in Training Spots may be available (grades 7-9)***
@developingchildharvard's Instagram post
Iowa Acceleration Scale by Acceleration Institute at the Belin-Blank Center
"A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses for Holding Back America's Brightest Students," edited by Susan G. Assouline, Nicholas Colangelo, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, and Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik.