Home About TISD Campuses Athletics Business & Support Calendar

About Terrell ISD

Terrell ISD Gifted & Talented Program

Upcoming Dates for GT: 
Nominations for spring testing will be accepted until February 10th, 2012.

Learn More About Our Program (Select A Topic)
¨      Gifted/Talented Testing Dates for Kindergartners
¨      Gifted/Talented Testing Dates for 1-11
¨      About the Program
¨      Referrals for AIM
¨      Frequently Asked Questions About the Gifted/Talented Program
¨      GT Contacts
¨      Offsite Links of Interest

Gifted/Talented Testing Dates for Kindergarten
During the fall semester, Kindergarten students will be observed in a variety of activities.  Nominated students will be tested in the winter.  Classes will begin no later than March 1st.

Parents may nominate their children once each year for the program.  The facilitators and kindergarten teachers at each campus are available to answer specific questions. 

Gifted/Talented Testing for 1-11
Students currently enrolled in Terrell ISD in grade 1-11 may be nominated by parents, educators, counselors, administrators or community members.  Testing is scheduled during the fall and spring semester. 

Based on overall performance on the criteria, the selection committee identifies students who qualify for placement in the program. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions for more specific information.

About the Program
print/view District GT Policy

Terrell Independent School District recognizes the individual differences in abilities, needs and interests of the school population it serves.  A sound instructional program for TISD students includes provision for gifted and talented learners.  These students can benefit from instruction that develops and challenges their unique capabilities in an atmosphere that fosters creativity and productivity.  Recognizing that gifted students possess distinct characteristics and needs, Terrell ISD commits itself to provide a quality, optimal educational experience for each gifted and talented student.

Grades K-6: Students are clustered with G/T trained educators and meet with their G/T teacher once a week through a pull-out program.  Students receive instruction in critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and creative thinking.  Interdisciplinary units are created around the core academic areas.

Grades 7-12Student schedules include Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement classes in the core academic areas.  Students have opportunities to present acquired knowledge through a wide variety of non-traditional, as well as traditional means.

Referrals for AIM
Parents, staff members, school administrators or community members may refer students for the TISD AIM program at any time.  Students at the elementary levels may be nominated throughout the year and will be tested once per school year.  If you would like to nominate your child for the program, please call Bronwyn Vaughan, Gifted/Talented Coordinator, at 972-563-1448

Frequently Asked Questions About The Gifted/Talented Program in Terrell ISD
I am new to Terrell, and my child was identified as being gifted in another state/district in Texas.  Is he/she automatically placed into your gifted program?
Each district/state establishes guidelines/parameters for identification of gifted students.  Therefore, each district/state has the ability to assess a student who is new to the district.  In Texas, districts are asked to complete the assessment within six weeks.  In Terrell, we require thorough documentation of prior testing and determine the placement of the student based on the provided records.

How many students are accepted each year?
There is no specific number of students, the  AIM Program accepts all who qualify.

Does my child have to re-qualify as he/she moves from elementary school to middle school?
No.  Unless the program is not meeting the needs of an identified student, he/she remains in the gifted program from one grade to the next and from one school to the next.

How are elementary gifted students served?
Identified gifted students are clustered together in groups of 3-5 with educators who have received  their 30 hour G/T state training.  These teachers work to individualize differentiated instruction for the students when it is appropriate or deemed necessary.  These students are also served through a pull-out program with a GT Facilitator.  The facilitators are trained specialists who guide students through a myriad of experiences that develop/reinforce problem-solving strategies and creative thinking skills.

If I need information about how to nominate my child for testing, who do I contact?
The Gifted and Talented Coordinator is Bronwyn Vaughan.  She may be reached at Long Elementary, 972-563-1448 ext. 4057 or by email: bronwyn.vaughan@terrellisd.org

GT Contacts

Bronwyn Vaughan Long Elem and Wood Elem
Charis Bailey JFK Elementary
Virginia Chisholm THS Pre-AP and AP Spanish
Katrina Christeson THS AP Government
John Lantrip THS Pre-AP/AP World History
Toby Drake THS AP English III
Joseph Filipowski THS AP English IV
Karissa Harrelson THS Pre AP English II
Lela Hogan THS Pre-AP Geometry/Calculus, AP Calculus
Charles Heasley THS AP Economics
Pat Lennert THS Pre-AP Geometry
Alex Bar-Sela THS Pre-AP English I
Diallo Stogner THS Pre-AP/AP Biology
Ramona Agesen THS Pre-AP Algebra II
Charles Temple THS Pre-AP Physics and Chemistry
Absalom Harvey THS Pre-AP World Geography
Andrea Cannon THS AP Environmental Science

Texas State Plan for the Gifted   in Spanish

Offsite Links of Interest

National Association for Gifted Children
 
http://www.nagc.org/

Region 10 Link for Gifted Education
http://www.region10.org/GiftedandTalented/

TEA Plan for Gifted Students
 
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/gted/GifTal.html

 TEA Advanced Academics
 
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/gted/AdvPro.html

Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
  
http://www.txgifted.org/

College Board
 
http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/

 

About TISD
Welcome to TISD
Mission Statement
District Strategic Plan
Departments
Energy Mgmt
School Nutrition
Gifted & Talented
Health & Wellness
Organizational Chart
School Board
Superintendent
District Staff
TISD News
Quick Links
Athletic Schedules
Bell Schedules
Departments

District Calendar

Campus Calendars
Counseling Dept
School Nutrition
Job Openings
Performing Arts Ctr
School Board
School Supply List
Staff Directory