State Definition of a Gifted and Talented Student

§ 29.121. DEFINITION:  In this subchapter, "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.                                     

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Bridge City Independent School District’s Definition of Gifted

Bridge City  ISD defines gifted and talented as any child or youth in grades K-12 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 general intellectual ability grades K-5; or

(2) Excels in one or more specific academic fields: math, science, language arts, and/or social studies grades 6-12.

State and District Goal for Services for Gifted Students

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 are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment and reflect individuality and creativity. 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.

-Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students

Program Goals for Gifted and Talented Services K-12

1. IDENTIFICATION - Identify students in grades K-12 who demonstrated an academic need for gifted services using the criteria established by the district, approved by the board, and in compliance with the state mandates.

2. SELF-DIRECTED LEARNERS - Develop the students' capacities to become self-directed and to be confident in their ability to research and process information and to create and communicate their findings as they produce and present advanced-level products or performances as well as products and performances of professional quality at the high school exit level.

3. COMPLEX THINKING SKILLS - Enhance and refine the abstract and complex thinking and reasoning of these students through more sophisticated creative and critical thinking activities as they reflect and refine their own thinking processes.

4. APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES - Provide students with multiple opportunities to participate in learning experiences using advanced content (within the four core areas) which are defensibly differentiated in depth, complexity and range through modification to content and/or process and/or product. Students will be able to work independently, with groups of other gifted students, and with groups of non-gifted peers.

Service Design

Cluster Grouping

Cluster grouping is an intentional method for providing full-time gifted services with a teacher that has received gifted and talented training.  Students that are identified as Gifted and Talented are purposely placed into a classroom based on their ablities and potential in combination with students demonstrating the capability for higher level thinking, placed students.  Research shows signifiant academic achievement gains for gifted learners who are grouped with others of similar interest and abilities.  Bridge City ISD provides G/T services in the four foundational curriculuar areas [Math, Science, English Language Arts and Reading, and Social Studies] from first possibile identification in Kindergarten through graduation in 12^th grade.  

Identification

Bridge City Independent School District has board approval on the identification procedures and processes of students K-12 for the services of the Gifted and Talented Program. These procedures meet state requirements (§29.121 & TAC 89.1) and have been designed to ensure the identification of any student who demonstrates educational need for the services of the program under the established guidelines.  Bridge City ISD screens all students in Kindergarten, 2^nd Grade, and 5^th Grade.  

Parents may request their student to be tested.  Please reach out to the campus counselor for more information.

Cindy Overman, Bridge City Elementary: cindy.overman@bridgecityisd.net  

Elizabeth Fisher, Bridge City Intermediate:  elizabeth.fisher@bridgecityisd.net

Ashton Peddy, Bridge City Middle School:  ashton.peddy@bridgecityisd.net

Alisa Huckaby or Chloe Tucker, Bridge City High School:  alisa.huckaby@bridgecityisd.net      chloe.tucker@bridgecityisd.net 

Websites

https://www.txgifted.org/ 

https://nagc.org/

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/gifted-and-talented-education 

https://www.texaspsp.org/

https://gtworld.org/