Gifted & Talented Services
- Gifted and Talented Handbook and Policies
- Gifted and Talented Service Design
- Gifted and Talented Referral Process
- Gifted and Talented Students in Action
- Gifted and Talented Resources
Gifted and Talented Handbook and Policies
Westwood Independent School District is committed to providing program and curricular options to meet the unique needs of the gifted and talented student.
Definition of a Gifted and Talented Student
A gifted/talented student is 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
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exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area
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possesses an unusual capacity for leadership or
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excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code; Subchapter D §29.121)
Philosophy
The philosophy of Westwood Independent School District reflects an understanding of the uniqueness of individual gifted/talented students. Because the learning characteristics of G/T students dictate learning experiences that differentiate from those provided for them in the regular school program, the district recognizes that special provisions must be made for these students in order to stimulate and maximize their achievement as well as provide for their social and emotional needs.
Westwood ISD recognizes that G/T students are found in all cultures, socioeconomic groups, geographic locales, and environments. Westwood ISD will serve the needs of those students who perform at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment.
Gifted and Talented Service Design
Gifted and Talented services at Westwood ISD are designed for students who are identified as gifted and talented according to the district's identification procedures. Program service design will include one or more of the following options:
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Pull-out: Part-time services in a classroom, other than the student's regular class, that takes place on a regular schedule provided by a gifted/talented 30-hour foundational and 6-hour trained teacher
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Push-in: A gifted/talented 30-hour foundational and 6-hour update trained teacher provides occasional service to a student while the student is in their regular classroom
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Full-time inclusion: The student receives a majority of their core subjects from a specific teacher or teachers with gifted/talented 30-hour foundational and 6-hour update training, but the classes may include peers who are not identified as gifted /talented.
WISD Services
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Kindergarten-6th grade: students attend pull-out classes with a GT trained teacher
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7th-12th grade: students take advanced courses in their area(s) of giftedness (Pre-AP, AP, Dual Credit)
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Kindergarten-12th grade: students receive differentiated instruction in their specific area(s) of giftedness in the four foundation curriculur areas
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Kindergarten-12th grade: students receive social/emotional support to cope with things such as perfectionism, stress, introversion, and social difficulties when needed
Gifted and Talented Referral Process
The referral process occurs during the fall semester. However, referrals may be submitted at any time during the year to ensure students identified as gifted receive services through diverse program options to meet their specialized educational needs. Students may be referred by teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested parties. Paper referral forms are available at the central office and at each campus.
Gifted and Talented Students in Action
Gifted and Talented Resources
GT Showcase
