Gifted and Talented

Gifted & Talented Services

GT Identification

The GT referral window for school year opens in November. Students in grades K-11 are eligible for GT assessment.

Referrals for gifted testing may be submitted during the month of November to the gifted campus coordinator, and data collection will begin in December. An information video may be located below to address questions regarding the referral process. Starting in November, forms for beginning the gifted referral process will be made available. Please refer to the timeline for the screening process.

To Test or Not to Test?

If the answer is “yes” to any of the above questions, consider referring your child to your campus coordinator for testing.

School Year GT Referral Timeline

  • November: Referral Window (K-11) Referrals and Permission for those seeking GT testing due to GT Campus Coordinator Submit Referral.

  • December: Data Collection (K-11) Parent survey and Teacher inventory due; Creativity test proctored.

  • January/February/March: Data Collection (K-11) Campus Coordinator collects testing data.

  • February: Kindergarten Screening Deadline (K) Selection committee notifies parent/guardian results of testing; Participation Acceptance forms due before services begin; PEIMS coding changed, as applicable.

  • March: Screening Committee Meeting (1-11) Selection committee meeting held; notify parent/guardian of screening results; Participation Acceptance forms due before services begin; PEIMS coding changed, as applicable.

Gifted Service Design

A flexible system of viable options that provide a learning continuum is developed throughout the district and reinforces the strengths, needs and interests of gifted and talented students.

SISD practices site-based management. Site-based management allows each school to make decisions about the best way to serve their unique populations. Each school recognizes the importance of serving GT students as a group, allowing GT students to work with other students, and giving GT students the opportunity to work independently.

Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction Methods

Special consideration and planning are given to curriculum and instructional delivery for GT students in the Socorro Independent School District. Adjustments to the level, pace, complexity and depth of learning for GT students are planned and implemented in grades K-12. Changes to the processes in which GT children learn allow teachers to work as facilitators in the education of GT students and allow students to become active seekers of knowledge.

Curriculum and instructional delivery methods that are differentiated include independent and/or research projects, simulation studies, learning centers both in and out of the classroom, compacted studies, and student-selected studies. Teachers employ the use of pre-testing and post-testing to determine student readiness and mastery of material in order to offer alternative choices for acceleration and enrichment.

Critical and creative thinking strategies are practiced in classrooms via investigations, questioning strategies, and active discussions. Independent studies, research, and authentic projects and products are all part of the curricular strategies implemented in the Socorro Independent School District. The Socorro Independent School District utilizes the Texas Performance Standards Projects and/or other approved projects at all grade levels.

Additional Opportunities

GT campus coordinators may register their GT students in the regional Team Quest competition hosted by Adventures in Learning.  For more information about this academic competition opportunity, visit the Adventures in Learning website.

Gifted & Talented 30 Hour Core Training

The GT core training consists of five 6-hour courses.  Teachers must complete the 30 hours by the end of the first semester of teaching to be in compliance with the state plan. Core 1 and 2 are non-negotiable courses and must be completed in their presented form.  Core 3 - 5 are available online through TAGT OnDemand and may be replaced with alternate trainings.  (See list below.)  

For more information email Nancy Franklin.

Required 30 Hour Core Training

Core 1: Nature & Needs of Gifted Learners
Gain a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges facing gifted students.  Examine and analyze the history of gifted education, modern legal requirements, and service design options.  Explore the characteristics of gifted students and the nature of gifted education through research-based, hands-on activities.

Core 2: Identification & Assessment of Gifted Learners
Examine the process for referring students for gifted services.  Understand important considerations for ensuring that all gifted students are identified.  Participants will examine and evaluate different assessment options for identifying gifted students and the importance of service design when selecting assessment instruments.

Core 3: Differentiation in the Real World
Like flowers in a garden, students in a classroom require different strategies to help them grow and thrive.  Learning differentiation is key on the road to becoming a master teacher.  In this course, Gifted Guru-Lisa Van Gemert, presents approachable ways you can begin to differentiate and help every student excel.

Core 4: Creativity & Instructional Strategies
Incorporating creativity into the classroom isn't just about making art projects or decorations.  It's about teaching students to approach problems creatively and become richer, deeper thinkers.  Lisa Van Gemert, award-winning educational consultant, guides teachers through an in-depth look at how to bring creative instruction into their classrooms.  This six-hour course dives deep into what creativity is and how to use it in the classroom.

Core 5: Social & Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners
When a gifted human brain begins firing on all cylinders from a very young age, the social and emotional needs of that child will be different from those of other students.  When you understand how GT students are different, you will begin to develop their strengths, and not just manage their gifted behaviors.

Face-to-Face Training

In-person training dates are now available for Core 1 and Core 2.  Save your seat by registering on Staff Development.

Access Core Training Online through TAGT OnDemand

Go to Responsive Learning to register for Core 1 - 5. for the code, email Nancy Franklin.

These courses are offered to district employees without charge.

Core 3 - 5 Alternatives

  • Teachers may substitute up to 18 hours of the following courses for Core 3 - 5. Certificates of completion must be submitted for credit to be awarded.

  • Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

  • National Math and Science Institute (NMSI)

  • AP Summer Institute

  • IB Summer Institute

  • Springboard Training