The Gifted and Talented Program in Killeen ISD identifies and supports students who perform at high levels in an academic, creative, or artistic area. GT students are challenged with rigorous and diverse opportunities to master self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication skills so they can reach their potential.

Available at both the Elementary and Secondary level, learn more below. 

What defines a student as gifted or talented?
The State of Texas defines a gifted and talented student as 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 capabilities in an intellectual, creative or artistic area,
• possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or
• excels in a specific academic field.

What is expected of a gifted/talented student?
The State of Texas goal requires students who participate in services designed for gifted students to demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, and research and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

How do students get selected for the gifted program?
Killeen ISD identifies students as academically gifted in math, science, English language arts and reading, or social studies or a combination of areas. In kindergarten, we consider all students for gifted education services; therefore, parents do not need to apply for program participation. Beyond kindergarten, district staff pull testing data after our beginning-of-year, mid-year, and end-of-year screeners for all students and actively recruit students who meet initial academic criteria. Students may also be nominated by parents, other students, or themselves.

Upon receiving parent or guardian approval for assessment, campus coordinators conduct evaluations and collect data. State regulations require school districts to review qualitative and quantitative data when considering placement, with each district establishing its own criteria for placement. Killeen ISD's uses three measures in its selection process:

• a state-approved, nationally normed ability test
• a state-approved academic achievement test
• additional measures such as student interview and performance

The district G/T committee meets monthly to review student data and validate student placement. Students who meet the district criteria are recommended by academic area for participation in the G/T program at their campus. Program notification letters are mailed to parents by the campus.

How are gifted students served in Killeen ISD?
Killeen ISD provides G/T students with differentiated instruction in the academic area(s) in which they have been identified. Students who qualify for the Gifted and Talented Program will receive appropriate G/T services at their current KISD campus from specially-trained teachers. Elementary campuses serve students in G/T cluster classrooms, while middle school and high school students are served through pre-Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement, dual credit, and other advanced course offerings. All G/T students are expected to participate in the Texas Performance Standards Project.