Gifted Education in Elementary (Grades K-5)

Tiny TAG Program (Talented and Gifted)

The TAG (Talented and Gifted) Program in Burleson serves identified students in Kindergarten through grade two. A gifted specialist on each elementary campus works with the gifted students and their teachers to provide enrichment and academic acceleration as needed. Identified students are clustered in a regular classroom with a teacher who has received the 30-hour Gifted and Talented training. In addition to serving as a resource for the classroom teachers, the Gifted Specialist meets with TAG students weekly on the gifted curriculum. The curriculum includes independent research, advanced product development, complex thinking techniques, extensions on grade-level TEKS, the introduction of above-level TEKS, and personal development.

TAG Program (Talented and Gifted)

The TAG (Talented and Gifted) Program in Burleson serves identified students in grades three through five. A gifted specialist on each elementary campus works with the gifted students and their teachers to provide enrichment and academic acceleration as needed. Identified students are clustered in a regular classroom with a teacher who has received the 30-hour Gifted and Talented training. In addition to serving as a resource for the classroom teachers, the Gifted Specialist meets with TAG students weekly on the gifted curriculum. The curriculum includes independent research, advanced product development, complex thinking techniques, extensions of grade-level TEKS, the introduction of above-level TEKS, and personal development.

Talent Development Program

Gifted Education in Secondary (Grades 6-12)

Middle and High School Programs

Identified gifted and talented students are served in their areas of strength in Honors, Pre-AP, and AP classes in the four academic core content areas. Honors, Pre-AP, and AP teachers have received the 30-hour Gifted and Talented training and offer a continuum of learning experiences that lead to the development of advanced-level performances and products. When possible, in-school and out-of-school options, relevant to the student’s area of strength, are available.  Additionally, a gifted and talented elective course is offered to continue the development of gifted students' individual research and advanced product development skills. 

GT Independent Study Fair

Identified gifted and talented students in grades six through twelve will have the opportunity to participate in BISD's annual GT Independent Study Fair. Students will select a topic to explore and will be provided with a structure for their research through a self-paced Schoology course. Students will be matched with a faculty advisor who will serve as a thinking partner as students conduct their research. After the submission deadline, student projects will be judged for a campus winner and runner-up.  These winners will be sent to the district-level fair and a winner and runner-up will be selected for middle school and for high school.

Referral Process

BISD assesses students in grades K-12 based on referrals received during an annual window and permission to test. Gifted and Talented Education serves students who demonstrate a need for services not ordinarily provided by the school based upon a preponderance of evidence gathered during the assessment process. Students are assessed for both ability and achievement. After reviewing the data and information collected for each candidate, decisions are made on an individual basis by a trained campus committee. BISD has an annual referral window in December of each school year. Any student in grades K-12 is eligible for referral. 

Referral Form for Kindergarten Students

PARENT REFERRAL FORM (English)

PARENT REFERRAL FORM (Other Languages)

Referral Form for 1st-12th Students

PARENT REFERRAL FORM (English)

PARENT REFERRAL FORM (Other languages) 

Placement in the Burleson ISD GT program is not automatic for students identified as GT outside of Burleson ISD. Students formally identified as requiring gifted services in the previous district must provide a letter or document on official school stationary acknowledging that the student was a participant in a gifted program in another district and must provide the test scores used to make that decision. Within five to six weeks of receiving that information, the campus gifted specialist will review the data to determine whether or not the expectations of the previous district equal, exceed, or approximate local requirements.

Burleson ISD will honor test results from other districts provided they are not more than two years old, were group-administered, and were nationally normed ability and achievement tests. The campus gifted specialists will administer any additional testing needed to complete the referral process if any is required.

For additional information:

Contact your student's campus or the office of Advanced Academics.