Are GT students new to MISD automatically placed in ALPHA?
Because programs and opportunities for
gifted and talented students vary so much, even within the
state of Texas, all new students must be reviewed and
placed in ALPHA by the campus GT committee before
enrollment in GT classes.
To be reviewed for placement, please
give the school counselor, administrator, GT teacher, or
GT Specialist:
-
A signed, completed Nomination
form (available on this site) which gives permission for
testing (if needed) and
-
A signed, completed Request for GT
Records form with all the information necessary to
secure your child's GT records from the previous district.
This process typically takes 4-6 weeks.
If the student is enrolled at the beginning of the school
year or over the summer, the process (4-6 weeks) will start
at the beginning of the academic year.
When
may I nominate a student?
Nominations are accepted at any time from
the beginning of the school year through the middle of
April. The specific dates are posted on every campus.
Nominations received after the April cutoff will be
processed as soon as possible at the beginning of the next
academic year.
MISD does not offer assessment services
for students registered outside of the McKinney school
district.
Once placed in
ALPHA, will my child continue in the program?
Yes. Once a child is placed in ALPHA, he
or she will continue to participate in GT classes unless
furloughed (request for a semester or full year leave of
absence) or exited from the program.
The state encourages each school district
to help students determine their areas of giftedness. As
students transition from elementary to middle school and
from middle to high school, we look closely at GT classroom
products and performance, assessments and teacher
observations. These, in addition to a student's declared
"favorite subjects", help us determine which secondary
classes may be most appropriate for each student.
Counselors in middle school and high
school have access to the lists of incoming ALPHA students
and their areas of strength. They can assist you and your
child with scheduling choices.
In middle
school and high school, how do GT classes differ from pre-AP
and AP classes?
The GT class uses a different curriculum
from the corresponding pre-AP or AP class. They are
designed for the creative and academically gifted student.
Several of the curricula were developed at the College of
William and Mary's Gifted Student Institute. Check the
"suggested Reading and Websites" page for more information
about these curricula.
All GT curricula are aligned with the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Please see the Program Design page for
all the class options available at each level.
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