Students who have been identified for gifted services in another school will be considered for gifted services in RISD through the following procedures to occur within six (6) weeks of receipt of gifted records:

1. The student enrolls in an RISD school.

2. The parent provides gifted services records including testing or signs a Release of Records form.

3. The Advanced Learning Teacher (elementary) or counselor (secondary) collects the gifted services records and forwards them along with a Transfer Evaluation Form and a Parent Referral Form (with signature for potential testing) to the Office of Advanced Learning Programs and Services.

4. The Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services or an Advanced Learning Specialist evaluates the records for the following:

1. The testing has occurred within the last two years, and

2. The scores are applicable to qualify for gifted services.

5. If the scores are applicable and they are within the last two years, the student is taken to the Gifted Placement Committee and a placement decision will be made.

6. If the scores do not meet the district standard or they are older than two years, the district will provide the student with an assessment.

7. The updated scores will be presented to the placement committee for consideration.

8. Placement Committee decisions will be emailed to parents/guardians with instructions for next steps.

9. Students who qualify for gifted services will begin immediately unless the placement committee determines it is not an appropriate time for entry. In that case, the student will begin the following school year or semester (in the case of secondary students).

Exiting (Texas State Plan: “2.12 Policy related to exiting of students from gifted/talented services is based on multiple criteria including student performance in response to services. Exiting of a student is finalized by committee decision after consultation with parents and student regarding the student’s educational needs“ GT services means the services are no longer an appropriate placement for the student. Exiting from services for the gifted will result in retesting to qualify for future GT placement. CORE+ supports students’ instructional needs in the general education classroom during all subjects through clustering and classroom support. (Exiting is initiated by the ALT.)

An exit from gifted services is pursued when it is determined that another setting will provide the best education for that student. Decisions made by a committee of at least three local district or campus educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted/talented students shall be based on the following criterion:

• The student fails to show adequate growth and/or progress within the curriculum of the gifted services which indicates the services are no longer an appropriate placement for the student.

When exiting is being considered, the Gifted and Talented (GT) specialist will schedule the committee meeting to discuss the cumulative profile and service options. One of the following options will be selected:

1. The student continues to receive gifted services,

2. The student continues to receive gifted services for a determined observation period. At the end of the observation period, the committee will reconvene to render its decision, or

3. The student will be exited from the gifted services. The student would require retesting for possible reentry.

Withdrawing from GT services means the student will no longer participate in GT Pullout services OR CORE+. He/She will be required to retest to qualify for future GT placement/services. (Withdrawal is initiated by the student or parent).

Parents/guardians may choose to withdraw a student from gifted services with the understanding that retesting would be required for possible reentry. The parent would submit the appropriate form (available from the Advanced Learning Teacher) specifying the reason for the withdrawal. A committee of at least three local district or campus educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted/talented students will meet with the parent/guardian(s) and student to discuss the student’s growth prior to fulfilling the request. The student would require retesting to possibly qualify for gifted services.

To begin the withdrawal process, please contact your child's Advanced Learning Teacher.

Furloughing (Texas State Plan 2.10: “the opportunity for students to have a leave of absence from gifted/talented program services for specified reasons and for a certain period of time without being exited”)from GT services means the student will cease to participate in GT Pullout services for a specified reason and a specified period of time. The furlough would apply both to Core+ and Pullout. (Furlough may be initiated by a student, parent, or ALT.)

Parents/guardians, students and teachers may request consideration of a furlough for a student from gifted services. This furlough is for a specified reason and period of time.

To apply for a furlough, the parent/guardian first must submit the appropriate form (available from the student’s Advanced Learning Teacher). After the form is received, a committee of at least three local district or campus educators who have received training in the nature and needs of gifted/talented students will convene to make the determination of the Furlough from the following options:

1. The student receives a furlough for a specified period of time and reason. In elementary, a student served in Pullout may receive a furlough from that level of service to Core+ or a furlough from all services. At the end of that term, the committee will reconvene to extend the furlough if the situation warrants OR to begin services again. If the committee determines an extension is not warranted, the parent may choose to withdraw the student from services. In that case, the student would require retesting to requalify for gifted services, or

2. The student does not receive a furlough based on the committee’s review. The parent may choose to withdraw the student from services at this time. The student would require retesting to requalify for gifted services.

For elementary students receiving GT Pullout, the best option may be to change the service to Core+ which should be explored prior to a furlough being considered.

CORE+ to GT Pullout means the student has a preponderance of evidence that demonstrates he/she is functioning at the level expected to succeed in a GT Pullout classroom. The Placement Committee will review the evidence and make a final decision. (This change in tiered services is initiated by the ALT.)

GT Pullout to CORE+ means the student is not responding to the Pullout services. The Placement Committee will review the evidence and make a final decision. (This change in tiered services is initiated by the ALT or parent/guardian.)

Email: monica.simonds@risd.org

Phone: 469-593-0888