Two students pose for a picture by their GT projects at Melissa STREAM Night

Advanced Academics & Gifted/Talented 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 G/T students is to ensure that those students who participate in G/T services demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication. G/T students develop innovative products and sophisticated performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are targeted to an audience outside the classroom.”

“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 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)

Contact Information

District Coordinator

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

Melissa Elementary Schools

Amanda Daniels
Elementary Schools' GT Coordinator
Email: amandadaniels@melissaisd.org
Phone: 972-837-2632

Melissa Middle School

Eydie Simpson
Middle School GT Coordinator
Email: eydiesimpson@melissaisd.org
Phone: 972-837-4355

Melissa High School

Christina Stover
High School GT Coordinator
Email: cstover@melissaisd.org
Phone: 972-837-4216

Testing & Referrals

Elementary (Grades K-5):

  • Referral Window: Dec. 1-21

  • Testing is in the Spring.

Secondary (Grades 6-12):

  • MISD students are tested in the fall between September and October.

  • Referrals open Jan. 6 and are due by Jan. 24.

  • Open referral testing occurs in the spring between March and April.

Program Placement

Data collected through both objective and subjective assessments shall be measured against the criteria approved by the Board to determine individual eligibility for the program. Assessment tools may include, but are not limited to, the following: achievement tests, intelligence tests, creativity tests, behavioral checklists completed by teachers and parents, student/parent conferences, and available student work products (Board Policy EHBB, Local). Final selection of students are to be made by a committee of at least three local district educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted students (Board Policy EHBB, Legal).

Elementary level: Students are referred by December 21st and tested in the Spring. After testing, qualifying students are placed into GT the following school year.

Secondary level: Students who are screened and qualify for services during the September-October testing window will be placed in the GT classroom during the second semester. Students who test and qualify during the open referral window in March-April will be placed in GT classroom the following year.

The selection committee shall make a determination within 30 calendar days of the student’s enrollment in the District and shall base the decision on the transferred records, observation reports of District teachers who instruct the student, and student and parent conferences (Board Policy EHBB, Local).

Selection Criteria

The Board-approved program for the gifted and talented shall establish criteria to identify gifted and talented students. The criteria shall be specific to the state definition of gifted and talented and shall ensure the fair assessment of students with special needs, such as the culturally different, the economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities (Board Policy EHBB, LOCAL).

Procedures

The District may place a furlough on any student who is unable to maintain satisfactory performance or whose educational needs are not being met within the structure of the gifted and talented program. A furlough may be initiated by the District, the parent, or the student.

In accordance with administrative regulations, a furlough shall be granted for specified reasons and for a specified period of time. At the end of a furlough, the student may reenter the gifted program, be placed on another furlough, or be exited from the program.

Eligibility for Furlough

Some reasons for furloughing may include scheduling conflicts or student performance lacking in a manner that causes either parents or teacher to believe the GT environment is no longer in the best academic interest of the student.

Exiting the Program

The district shall monitor student performance in the program. If at any time the selection committee determines it is in the best interest of the student and his or her educational needs, the committee may exit a student from the program. If a student or parent requests removal from the program, the selection committee shall meet with the parent and student before honoring the request (Board Policy EHBB, Local). To access the Furlough Exit Form, visit the link below.

Appeal Procedure

A parent or student may appeal any final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for or exit from the gifted program. Appeals shall be made first to the selection committee. Any subsequent appeals shall be made in accordance with Board Policy FNG, Local beginning at Level Two (Board Policy EHBB, Local).

A parent may appeal a committee decision within 15 business days of receiving the denial of placement letter.

Level I Appeal: An appeal committee will meet and review the student’s profile. This committee will consist of teachers with proper GT training and a campus administrator with proper GT training.

Level II Appeal: An appeal committee will meet and review the student’s profile with the addition of further evidence added to the level 1 appeal. The committee will include Melissa ISD’s Director of Advanced Academics.

Program Services

Elementary: Students at the elementary level are serviced through a pull-out program that focuses on differentiated curriculum that is project based. The amount of time a student spends in this program is based on his/her grade level. For additional information about the elementary GT program, visit the link below.

Secondary: Students at the middle school level are serviced through a English/Language Arts and Reading class that also has a focus on the Humanities. Students at the high school level will be serviced through dual credit and honors classes. For additional information about the secondary GT program, visit the link below.

Parent Information Night

An informational meeting will be held annually for parents and new students who want to learn more about the program.

Resource Links