HISD Vanguard GT Standards

1
HISD Vanguard G/T Standards Program
Requirements

• Presentation for
• School-Based Personnel
• Parents/Community
• (ELEMENTARY)

2
State Law

• All schools must provide G/T program services for
  eligible students (TEC29.121)
• School districts must establish at least 3
  criteria for identifying G/T students which
  include both Quantitative and Qualitative
  measures
• Note HISD Vanguard G/T Standards address how the
  district is in compliance with the state law

3
Vanguard G/T Standards (Background)

• Fall 2005 - PEER Committee was commissioned to
  conduct a review of the effectiveness of Gifted
  and Talented (G/T) and Vanguard Programs. The
  review included program design and admissions
  policies (specifically the tier/sibling policies)
• CONCERNS Lack of consistency in implementation
  of G/T programs district wide academic rigor
  within G/T classrooms
• Spring 2006 Committee recommendations were
  submitted to the HISD school board
• Summer 2006 Standards were developed for
  Vanguard G/T program improvement
• Fall 2006 Input was gathered by
  school/community stakeholders
• March 8, 2007 Board approved Vanguard G/T
  Standards

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Purpose of Vanguard G/T Standards

• Provide standards for program implementation
• Strengthen the academic rigor in Vanguard G/T
  classrooms
• Increase campus/district accountability for the
  success of G/T students

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Vanguard G/T Standards K-12

• 1. Program Design
• 2. Assessment
• 3. Identification of G/T Students
• 4. Admissions
• 5. Instructional Delivery Models
• 6. Curriculum and Instruction
• 7. Monitoring Program Implementation
• 8. Student Success (Expectations)

• 9. Professional Development for
  Administrators
• 10. Professional Development for
• G/T Teachers
• 11. Data Quality and Compliance
• 12. Parent/Community
• Communication and
• Involvement
• 13. Evaluation
• 14. District Commitment and Support

6
Program Name(Standard 1)

• In HISD, all G/T programs now have one name -
  Vanguard
• HISD offers programs in various school settings
• Vanguard Neighborhood Schools (zoned/choice)
• Vanguard Magnet Schools (zoned/transfers)
• Vanguard Separate Unique Schools (transfers
  only)
• Vanguard Magnet Schools adhere to HISD Guidelines
  for Magnet Schools.

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HISD School Structure
HISD Schools
(zoned choice transfers)
Magnet Schools (w/specialty)
(zoned transfers)
TYPE 1 School Within a School
(serves small portion of students)
TYPE 2 School Wide Program
(serves all students who qualify)
Vanguard Magnet
TYPE 3 Separate Unique
(There are G/T students in every type of school.)
(transfers only)
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Vanguard Magnet School within a School (SWS)
Model (applies to only 17 schools)
NOW
THEN
OTHER
OTHER
VN
VM (merged VM VN)
VM
(SWAS Magnet model)
(SWP Magnet model)
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Assessment K-12 (Standard 2)

• A K-12 students G/T eligibility is determined by
  multiple criteria academic assessments,
  non-verbal ability assessments, grades, teacher
  recommendation, and obstacles.
• Academic and ability assessments are initiated
  through
• Vanguard application for entry at any grade
• Districts universal assessment for all
  Kindergarteners
• Districts universal assessment for all 5th
  graders prior to 6th grade entry
• District wide testing for new LEP students
  without prior test history
• TEA requires G/T services for eligible students
  beginning March of a students Kindergarten year
  and thereafter.
• Students must re-qualify as G/T prior to entering
  6th grade middle school students carry their
  eligibility into high school.

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Assessment - for Entering Kindergarten Students
(Standard 2)

• A students G/T eligibility for entering
  Kindergarten is determined by multiple criteria
  academic assessments, non-verbal ability, parent
  recommendation, and obstacles.
• Academic and ability assessments for entry into
  Kindergarten are initiated through
• Vanguard application for entry into Kindergarten
  Vanguard Magnet (generally Nov-Jan)
• OR
• District pilot 4 yr. old testing prior to entry
  into Kindergarten
• Students who are identified as G/T for entering
  Kindergarten through either process will carry
  their G/T identification to any HISD school.
• G/T identified students will begin the year coded
  as G/T and will receive G/T services starting the
  first day of school.
• Identified G/T Kindergarten students will
  participate in the universal Kindergarten
  assessment, but will not need to be re-identified.

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G/T Identification(Standard 3)

• Application
• Students in all grades or those new to our
  district can apply for Vanguard G/T services
  through the application process
• Recommendations can be initiated by student,
  parent, or teacher
• The application process involves a review of
  multiple criteria
• Review
• Applications are processed through the campus G/T
  Admission Committee using one of the following
  Identification Matrices
• K-12 G/T Identification Matrix for K-12 Students
  using the same identification criteria
  achievement test scores, non-verbal ability test
  scores, teacher recommendation, grades,
  obstacles.
• Entering K G/T Identification Matrix for
  Entering Kindergarten Students used for students
  applying for the Vanguard G/T program as entering
  Kindergarteners.

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G/T Identification Matrix K-12
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Gifted and
Talented Identification Matrix, K-12 2007-2008
School Year

• Refer to Handout 3

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G/T Identification(Standard 3)

• Automatic Identification
• Rosters of students who qualify for G/T services
  will be created for the following
• Entering 6th graders (summer 2007)
• Current Kindergarteners (spring 2008)
• Rosters require that kindergarten and 5th grade
  teachers complete an on-line Teacher
  Recommendation form in Chancery
• The district generated rosters of G/T eligible
  students are to be reviewed by the campus
  Vanguard Admissions Committee
• This will enable HISD to identify and serve
  students who previously may not have participated
  in the program due to the application process
• Parents will have the opportunity to opt in or
  opt out of the Vanguard G/T program

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Admissions(Standard 4)

• Vanguard Neighborhood programs do not have
  enrollment goals/quotas. All students who
  qualify for the Vanguard G/T program receive
  services.
• Vanguard Magnet programs follow admissions
  procedures as set forth in the Elementary School
  Guidelines
• No enrollment quotas for zoned G/T students
• Enrollment quotas for transfer G/T students are
  based on building capacity and/or Magnet
  enrollment goals
• Tier distinctions will be eliminated starting
  with admissions for the 2008-2009 school year
• Sibling policy will be revised starting with
  admissions for the 2008-2009 school year to
  reflect that no more than 25 of the transfer
  spaces can be filled by qualified siblings at the
  entry grades. If there are more qualified
  siblings than spaces available, a lottery will
  determine which students will be enrolled. Any
  siblings remaining at the end of the lottery will
  go into a sibling lottery for the spaces at the
  top of the waitlist.

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Instructional Delivery Models(Standard 5)

• 3 Instructional Delivery Models
• Homogeneous Classrooms G/T students (zoned and
  non-zoned transfers), are mixed together in
  self-contained classes/courses to receive G/T
  instruction
• G/T Clusters G/T students (zoned and non-zoned
  transfers) are grouped or clustered with non-G/T
  high achieving students to receive G/T
  instruction
• Combination of Homogeneous and G/T Clusters
• Principal, with input from parents/teachers, will
  select the instructional delivery model that best
  fits the needs of all G/T students on their
  campus
• The Instructional Delivery Selection Worksheet
  must be submitted annually (to the Regional
  Superintendent) for approval

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Instructional Delivery Selection
Worksheet(Sample)
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Curriculum and Instruction(Standard 6)

• All Vanguard G/T programs implement the HISD G/T
  curriculum framework, Scholars Knowledge, in
  grades K-12
• HISDs core curriculum, CLEAR, lays the
  foundation for all curriculum and instruction.
  Scholars Knowledge overlays CLEAR providing
  differentiation through depth and complexity,
  higher level thinking skills, and developing
  independent research skills focusing on advanced
  level products
• Students in grades K-5 shall receive instruction
  daily by a G/T trained teacher implementing
  Scholars Knowledge in the four core content
  areas (Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies),
  emphasizing advanced level products

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Monitoring of Classroom Instruction(Standard 7)

• Campus and regional staff will monitor G/T
  classrooms to observe the application of elements
  of Scholars Knowledge and the use of Advanced
  Level Products
• Monitoring will be done through classroom
  walkthroughs with follow-up observations and
  reviews
• A 3 hour training in Monitoring the G/T
  Classroom for Academic Rigor and Advanced Level
  Products will be offered for all campus and
  regional administrators starting in June 2007
• G/T teachers will be provided the opportunity for
  common grade level planning and vertical team
  planning at least once every grading cycle to
  align curriculum and review advanced level
  products

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Achievement Expectations for G/T
Students(Standard 8)

• Purpose Measure program effectiveness and
  impact on participating students
• Vanguard G/T students achievement will be
  reviewed annually
• Campus Vanguard G/T programs will be evaluated
  annually based in part on
• Number of G/T students scoring above grade level
  on Stanford/Aprenda (or growth for special
  students)
• Number of G/T students scoring commended on TAKS
• Number of AP/IB students taking AP/IB exams

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Training for Principals(Standard 9)

• HISD administrators are required to complete 9
  hours of G/T professional development consisting
  of the following
• 6 hours of the state-required Nature and Needs
  of G/T Students with Program Options
• 3 hours of Monitoring the G/T Classroom for
  Academic Rigor and Advanced Level Products
  (e-TRAIN course number Elem. GT0052 Sec.
  GT0053)
• Evidence of completion of training shall be kept
  at the campus level by the campus G/T coordinator
  for audit purposes

21
Training for Teachers(Standard 10)

• Texas state law and the HISD Elementary
  Guidelines state that all elementary teachers
  responsible for G/T students are required to
  complete the following
• 30 core hours of G/T professional development
  within their first semester after assignment
• 6 hours of G/T professional development annually
• Training in the districts G/T curriculum
  framework Scholars Knowledge. This training is
  only offered through HISD
• Teachers 6 hour training on Academic Rigor and
  Advanced Level Products (starting in August 2007,
  e-TRAIN course numbers TT3728-3729)
• G/T training is available through various
  sources Professional Development Department,
  Advanced Academics Department, HISD regional
  staff, Region IV, and Harris County Department of
  Education
• Evidence of completion of training shall be kept
  at the campus level by the campus G/T coordinator
  for audit purposes

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Data Quality and Compliance(Standard 11)

• Each HISD school will comply with all state and
  district guidelines as follows
• Establish and operate a G/T Admissions Committee
• Designate a campus G/T Contact Person
  (preferrably an administrator)
• Code GT students on PEIMS by the October snapshot
  date in order to receive funding
• Maintain documentation of teacher and
  administrator training
• Show evidence of implementation of the G/T
  curriculum framework, Scholars Knowledge
• Show evidence of appropriate use of G/T budget
  expenditures
• Campus based personnel, designated by the
  principal, are responsible for the accuracy of
  data related to G/T student eligibility and
  services

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Parent/Community Communication and
Involvement(Standard 12)

• Purpose Maintain support for program through
  communication
• Principals must provide parents with the
  following information
• G/T services offered on the campus
• Vanguard application process and deadlines
• HISDs assessment requirements and timelines
• Identification process that applies to all
  applicants
• Information must be provided through multiple
  sources and appropriate languages (newsletters,
  brochures, informational meetings, etc.)
• Parents and community members are required to be
  included when making campus decisions related to
  program design/delivery options

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G/T Program Evaluation(Standard 13)

• Purpose Make program improvements
• All Vanguard G/T programs will be evaluated
  annually to measure compliance with
  state/district guidelines, student outcomes,
  adherence to standards and overall program
  delivery
• Evaluations of Vanguard G/T programs shall
  include district-wide and campus by campus reports

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District Commitment and Support(Standard 14)

• Each Vanguard G/T program shall receive support
  from HISD in the following areas
• Budgetary support through the districts GF1
  funds (fund 108) which equals to a 12 add-on
  rate to the ADA rate for each student
  appropriately coded as G/T on PEIMS
• Regional Office support and services (data
  quality, professional development/teacher
  training, classroom monitoring assistance, etc.)
• Central Office support and services provided
  through the Advanced Academics Department
  (district applications, professional development,
  instructional monitoring tools, guidance for G/T
  campus coordinators, parent information/training,
  etc.)
• HISD bus transportation for qualified Vanguard
  Magnet students within the transportation
  guidelines

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Advanced Academics Department713-556-6954

• Tracye Wear, Director of Advanced Academics
• twear_at_houstonisd.org
• Clara Cantu, Coordinator
• ccantu_at_houstonisd.org
• Clara Gerard, Coordinator
• cgerard_at_houstonisd.org
• Regional G/T Managers
• Alternative- Suzanne Selinger
• Central- Melanie Heasley
• East- Teresa Arrambide
• North- Norma Ramos
• South- Noval Alexander
• West- Billy Wooton