Purpose:

The purpose of the AIMS program is to provide a rigorous program for 5th and 6th grade identified gifted students at all intermediate campuses. Research shows that when gifted students are grouped together they excel at a faster pace academically and are more socially well-adjusted.  AIMS classrooms group gifted students into an environment in which content from the four core academic subjects are differentiated to provide the rigor and intensity necessary to meet the academic needs of gifted students. 

Vision:

We believe that gifted and talented students have advanced academic abilities and unique social and emotional needs, which are developed to the highest potential through collaboration with the school, family, and community. Students in the AIMS program have a unique opportunity to interact daily with their gifted peers, in and across grade levels, at a rigorous pace, focusing on instructionally motivating and complex studies.

AIMS Provides Opportunities for:

• Creative Thinking Skills

• Research Skills

• Problem Solving Skills

• Problem Solving Applications

• Content Acceleration

• Guided Discussion Groups

• Independent Study

• Mini-courses

• Instructional Complexity

• Motivating Study

• Depth-seeking Exploration

Goals:

• Compact basic skills so they are mastered in a shorter period of time.

• Provide differentiation with respect to pacing, materials, process, product, environment, and assessment.

• Provide interdisciplinary studies through integrated academic connections and real world problem solving and experiences.

• Provide opportunities for group and independent research.

• Provide opportunities to produce and present advanced-level products for a variety of audiences.

• Work within the application, analysis, evaluation, and creation levels of Blooms Taxonomy.

• Use technology as a resource and a productivity and communication tool.

• Provide tools for life-long learning such as:

• literacy strategies

• communication skills

• research skills

• study skills

• time management skills

Parent Involvement

We believe that the parents of AIMS students play a vital role in the success of the program.  Parents are asked to:

• Participate in teacher/student conferences

• Attend presentations by the AIMS students

• Volunteer

• Attend AIMS Parent Night

Exiting the AIMS Program:

All 5th and 6th grade G/T students at intermediate campuses participate in the AIMS program at their home campuses.  There is no application process or requirement. Recommendations and requests for students to exit the program are processed at the Central Administration Office.

Purpose:

The purpose of the gifted identification, referral and screening process is to identify students who perform or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:

1. exhibit high performance capability in an intellectual or creative area; or

2. excel in a specific academic field

Eligibility for Gifted Testing:

All students currently enrolled in Alief Schools are eligible for testing for the gifted programs. Students who are not currently enrolled will not be tested.

Selection Committee:

Each campus elects a GT Campus Committee to review the referral, identification, and selection process, as well as the instructional design and delivery of the program. This committee should be composed of at least three people. Suggested members include an administrator, teacher, counselors, and specialists. Members of the committee must be current in the required GT training.

Referral Procedures:

The district will set a referral window each school year.  During this window, students may be referred by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, or themselves. As group test scores become available, campuses will review the data to identify potential students for the program.  Permission to test must be obtained from parents before the screening process may begin.

Referral window: 

• Kinder: Universal Screening - No referral needed

• 1st grade to 11th Grade: September

Parent Referral and Consent to Test Form: 

• Parent link

Screening Procedures:

Screening will be conducted once a year.  Screening results are evaluated by the campus gifted committee before placement is determined.  Summer testing will be provided for students who were not in attendance at an Alief school during the screening window.

• Quantitative screening tools include, but are not limited to, a measure of cognitive ability (CogAT), academic ability (Iowa Test of Basic Skills), and creativity (Torrance).

• Qualitative screening tools include, but are not limited to, student work, portfolios, evaluation forms, and observable behaviors. 

Is My Child Gifted?- A research-based resource on identifying characteristics of giftedness in children.

Understanding the Gifted Child- A webpage for parents dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of gifted children from the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: A resource guide for the education of gifted children with links to many gifted education resources available on the Internet. 
 
National Association for Gifted & Talented: The website of this non-profit organization of parents, teachers, educators, community leaders and other professionals who unite to address the unique needs of all children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents.
 
Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented: The website of the state organization that both teachers and parents of gifted students may join. Many valuable resources. 

Texas Education Agency:  Gifted and Talented information and materials for all things GT in Texas.  

The Davidson Institute for Talent Development: This site has extensive resources for highly gifted students (and their parents). 

Education in Action: Education in Action's experiential learning programs empower young Texans to be informed and active leaders in their communities. Check out the Lone Star Leadership Academy Program.
 
familyeducation.com: Gifted & Talented: This easy-to-use site features information on identifying traits and developing abilities, as well as an “Ask an Expert” feature so you can ask questions important to you!
 
GT World: An on-line support community for parents of Gifted and Talented childre

Learn about referral, identification, assessment, and services of GT Students in Alief ISD during our GT awareness session for parents on September 6,2023 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. This session will be in person and presented in English and Spanish. Registration is required. To Register.

Obtenga información sobre referencias, identificación, evaluación y servicios de estudiantes GT (dotados y talentosos) en Alief ISD durante nuestra sesión informativa sobre GT para padres el 6 de septiembre de 2023 de 5:00 a 6:00 p.m. Esta sesión será presencial y presentada en inglés y español. Es necesario registrarse. Para registrarse.

To sign up as a volunteer, please fill out the form: 

Parent Advisory Committee Interest Form

Meeting dates:

TBD

Objective:

To provide parents with information and insight into Alief's GT program with the goal of enhancing services and opportunities for students identified as gifted/talented.