GT stands for "Gifted and Talented," while TE stands for "Talent Explorer." These are two labels used by Austin ISD in describing their gifted and talented programming.
Gifted and talented programming is a program designed to foster growth in gifted students.
This is an academically challenging curriculum, focused on research and critical thinking skills.
How does my student get identified for GT?
Guardians and teachers may nominate students in the fall for GT testing.
Application components for nominated students:
Both guardians and teachers will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding nominated students.
A general assessment, designated by Austin ISD, will be given to applicants during school hours.
A portfolio assignment, designated by Austin ISD, will be assigned to all applicants to complete during BOTH in school and out of school hours.
All applications are collected by Mrs. Holley, the school counselor.
All applications are carefully considered by a GT Committee comprised of teachers, administrators, and support staff.
Applications are appraised holistically, with developmental age and abilities in mind. Committee members know that the portfolio piece requested by the school district is extremely challenging. Please be assured that this is only one small piece of the puzzle.
Austin ISD designates rubrics that determine the designations of "GT" or "TE" in the subject areas of math, science, social studies, and ELA.
Mrs. Holley, the school counselor, will communicate results with parents once the committee has completed the appraisal process.
My student was identified last year, do they need to test again this year?
No. Once students are labeled "GT" or "TE," that designation follows them through their school years in Austin ISD.
Some guardians may request for students to be retested to identify their students in additional subject areas or replace a "TE" designation with a "GT" designation in a particular subject area, but this is not necessary. GT and TE students will be served for their academic needs in ALL subject areas at Baldwin, despite their labels.
At Baldwin, all GT and TE students are placed in certified GT teacher classrooms with other GT and TE students.
Does Baldwin have a special program for GT students?
At Baldwin, every teacher is a certified GT teacher. So, no matter if your student is GT, TE, or is does not have either of these designations, they will be served by highly qualified instructors trained in differentiating curriculum so that it is challenging for your individual student.
In Austin ISD, it is the expectation that teachers with GT and TE students will provide differentiated, GT curriculum following the designated, Austin ISD learning plans.
At Baldwin, we follow the district's GT learning plans within the classroom AND provide an additional "GT Enrichment" time for GT students. This is additional programming to expand upon the GT activities students are already receiving from their GT certified, homeroom teacher.
During GT Enrichment, kinder through fifth grade students will be pulled by grade level every other week by the librarian.
At GT Enrichment, students will participate in a variety of challenging activities that target every subject area. Though students may be designated "GT" or "TE" in certain subjects and not others, it is the belief at Baldwin Elementary that gifted students should be challenged in each subject area to enhance their current strengths while exposing them to experiences that facilitate growth in other areas.
TE students will also participate in these pull-out meetings dependent on numbers.
Students will be challenged to complete activities outside of GT Enrichment that can be completed during school or after school hours. These challenges will be presented to peers through a goal minded, celebratory format.
All student materials for GT Enrichment can be found on the Baldwin Library Blend Page, and are available to ALL Baldwin students.
From the homepage, click "library lessons."
Click "GT enrichment."
Click assigned grade level for tailored activities.
When will my student start participating in the GT pull-out program available at Baldwin?
If your student was designated as GT or TE during a previous school year, they will start GT pull-outs, also known as "GT Enrichment," in the fall.
If your student is currently applying to the Austin ISD GT program, they will start GT pull-outs, also known as "GT Enrichment," in the spring if designated as GT or TE in a particular subject area.
*TE students will participate in the Baldwin GT pull-out program dependent on total number of identified GT and TE students.
Why was my student not identified as GT, or why did they receive a "TE" instead of a "GT" label?
GT testing seeks to identify students who have a different way of thinking about the world around them. Rather than looking for a "right answer," the GT application process seeks to find students with inquiry skills and out-of-the-box thinking. This can be demonstrated in a multitude of ways, hence the extensive application and committee rather than individual review process.
As parents and educators, we know that students grow leaps and bounds from year to year. Sometimes a student who does not get identified one year, may be identified the following year when they test again and are able to demonstrate more of their thinking.
TE, the abbreviation for Talent Explorer, is a term that Austin ISD developed to cast a wider net during the GT testing process. These students show creative thinking skills in their designated subject area, but may still need to develop ways to expand or communicate their thinking.
Regardless of whether you are GT, TE, or do not receive either of these designations, ALL Baldwin students receive differentiated instruction from highly qualified, certified GT teachers. They will be met at their individual level, and challenged to reach their fullest, academic potential.