Amidst the many budget-related challenges, it would be helpful if some clarification could be provided regarding the formula for adjusting Gifted and Talented staffing.
A review of staffing efficiencies for special programs was conducted with the goal to be efficient, maintain the integrity of services, and, if possible, improve services for identified students.
Kindergarten through 6th-grade Gifted and Talented (G/T) specialists provided weekly schedules for review and the program coordinator and principals provided feedback and input regarding services for G/T students.
The review's findings:
The direct teach time for students in each grade level varied across the district. The average amount of time spent on testing for identification was one-and-a-half days a week with a range of 4-17 hours a week.
Resulting improvements for 2010-11:
Standardize the amount of time for teachers to provide direct teaching to identified students. Students in grades 2 through 6 will receive three hours of direct teach time each week. This is the maximum amount of direct teach time provided to any of the five grade levels during the 2009-10 school year.
Students in kindergarten and 1st grades will receive two hours of direct teach time each week. This is the maximum amount of direct teach time provided at kindergarten and 1st grade during the 2009-10 school year. Kindergarten students are identified for services during the second semester of each school year. First grade and kindergarten students will be served in a combination class allowing the smaller number of identified kindergartners to be a part of a larger group for interaction and discussion.
Assessment for identification will take place during testing windows. This will increase the time available for G/T teachers to provide direct teach time to students and reduces the number of G/T teachers needed to deliver direct teaching services.
Comparison of GT Instructional Hours 2009-11
For more information about the Gifted and Talented Program, visit the KISD Gifted and Talented Web site: http://campus.kellerisd.net/gt/Pages/default.aspx.