You receive a letter from the school asking permission to test your child for the gifted and talented (GT) program. Or maybe you requested to have your child tested because you know they’re doing something that seems slightly more advanced than their peers. The next thing you know, the school calls you and tells you that your child is identified as GT. Wonderful! Now what?
What it Means to be GT
Let’s talk about what it means to be identified as GT, or Gifted and Talented. According to the state of Texas, it means that your child “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.” (Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students) In short, your child is achieving or processing in a more advanced way than their peers. Typically, they are performing in the top 5 – 10% of students on your campus.
How Will My Child Receive GT Services
First, you need to know how your child will receive gifted program services. Every district and campus is different! Just because your friend’s child does something for GT, doesn’t mean it will be the same for your child. Texas state law gives districts local control over how to run their program. This allows your school district to make the best decisions for your community. Services will depend on your campus schedule, the staff they use to provide services, the availability of resources, and the identified students and their needs.
The good news is that most campuses will explain the scope of GT services when your child qualifies for them. You can also find information about your district’s gifted and talented program on its website.
Talk to Your Child’s Teacher
Next, touch base with your child’s teacher to see what adjustments are being made for them in their classroom. If they have a significant strength in a subject area, your teacher can differentiate lessons so that your child can work at the level they need to.
Ask your teacher how to support this learning and if you should adjust school work completed at home, such as projects and homework. Remember that just because your child is doing more advanced work than others, it doesn’t mean that they want to (or should) do more work. Instead of giving them more, make adjustments to their existing work.
GT Resources for Parents
There are many parent resources to help you ensure that your child continues to learn and grow.
Two recommended websites are:
Equity in Gifted/Talented Education
Encouraging equitable representation of student populations in Gifted/Talented (G/T) programs throughout the state by providing tools and resources that inform and support families and educators. This is a resource developed by the Texas Education Agency.
Gifted Education Family Network
Supports excellence and equity in gifted education by engaging in activities in three areas: (a) connecting families, (b) educating and supporting families, and (c) advocating for strong, vibrant, and appropriately challenging education programs.
Conclusion
Learn more about supporting your advanced elementary students through Education Service Center Region 13 events. Check out the Gifted and Talented website or browse our workshop catalog for the most current offerings.
For more Gifted and Talented articles, click here.
Amber Reinecke is the Cross-Curricular Systems Program Manager and Gifted and Talented (GT) Specialist at ESC Region 13. She has experience as an elementary classroom GT teacher, as well as six years of experience as a Gifted and Talented Pull-out Teacher and Instructional Coach. She has a passion for working with the gifted community in order to advocate for student needs.
Add comment