Gifted & Talented

Sherman ISD will assure an array of learning opportunities that are appropriate to the
abilities of Gifted and Talented students that emphasize content in the four core
academic areas (English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies).

Grades K-5 are served through a GT pull-out program called Challenge, delivered by GT trained specialists as well as through differentiated activities when appropriate in the regular classroom.

Grades 6-8 are served through GT classes in the four core academic areas. A student may participate in all four GT classes but it is not required. A GT student must participate in at least one GT class or he/she will be placed on furlough.

Grades 9-12 are served through academic course options at the high school. GT students can take GT-designated Advanced Academics and AP English courses all four years. The courses do not always have enough GT students to create a class, but are offered annually and scheduled if numbers permit. GT students also have the opportunity to take advanced courses (AP and Advanced CTE) in all areas including core academics, fine arts, and career and technical education.

Download GT Handbook

A student in grades K-11 may be referred for the assessment process by parents or teachers. Referral forms are available at each school campus. Students in grades 7-11 may refer themselves. See the GT Handbook for general timelines for referrals and identification by grade level. Parents will be notified if they did not originate the referral and they must give permission for the student to be tested.

The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, 3rd Edition (NNAT3) will be administered to all second grade students as a universal screener for the gifted program. Students scoring in the top 5% of each campus group will be included in the assessment process. Parents will be notified of the results of the NNAT3 assessment. 

Students will be assessed with a minimum of three (3) criteria to gather qualitative and quantitative information. These may include but are not limited to:

• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, 3rd Edition (NNAT3) 
• Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC)
• Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, 2nd Edition (KBIT2)
• Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
• Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT)
• Gates Inventory
• Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS)
• Gifted Rating Scale (GRS)
• iReady
• mClass (Kindergarten)

A student profile will be used to collect information from assessment instruments. Additional data from state assessments, local benchmarks and student performance products may be included in the student profile.

The student profile will be used to build an extensive picture of each learner that highlights the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Students who are identified as needing gifted services must score the appropriate number of points on the district identification matrix. Each profile will have student identification masked before it is reviewed by a Gifted Identification Committee (GIC) that consists of educators trained in the unique characteristics and needs of gifted learners. The GIC will determine the appropriate placement for the student and parents will be notified about the decision in writing. Participation in the Gifted Program is voluntary.