Gifted & Talented (GT) Services

The mission of Melissa ISD is to provide an enriched, rigorous, academic curriculum for identified gifted students.

Introduction

According to the Texas Education Agency, “the state’s goal for GT students is to ensure that those students who participate in GT services demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication. GT students develop innovative products and sophisticated performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are targeted to an audience outside the classroom.”

“A gifted and 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 exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or excels in a specific academic field” (Texas Education Code §29.121).

See Also: Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (Texas Education Agency)

Program Placement

Elementary (Grades K-5):

  • The next referral window for students in grades K-5th is November 1-30 2024.

Secondary (Grades 6-12):

  • The next referral window for students in grades 6th-8th is January 2-31, 2024.

  • Students in grades 6th-8th will be tested on GT District Testing Day, February 19, 2024.

Testing & Referrals

For additional information, please refer to our Gifted & Talented Referral Process presentation.

GT Curriculum Design

Gifted & Talented Services, along with district gifted/talented teachers identify, select, and develop curriculum that includes critical and creative thinking, research skills, and social-emotional learning. Gifted/talented curriculum may also include Problem Based Learning (PBL), Maker Space, and Genius Hour. The TEKS and district curriculum serve as a framework for substance and sequence.

GT EXPO

District Coordinator:

Walter Perez
Executive Director of Campus Services
Email: walterperez@melissaisd.org
Phone: 972-837-2411

GT Coordinator:

Amanda Daniels
GT Coordinator
Email: amandadaniels@melissaisd.org
Phone: 214-386-2542