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Gifted & Talented

Gifted & Talented

The New Braunfels Independent School District is committed to fostering and developing the abilities of gifted / talented youth. A “G/T student” means a child or youth who performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, a high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment; and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; and who possesses an unusual capacity for leadership or excels in a specific academic field.

Department Contact

Veronica Arneson
GT and Advanced Academics Specialist
830-643-5765

Advanced Academics

In the higher grades, NBISD offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses, as well as electives and an extensive CTE program to support students in fields of interest.

College Board:

The College Board (www.collegeboard.org) website offers resources for assessment preparation and college planning.  It’s never too early to look ahead.

G/T – FAQ

Texas Education Code, section 29.121, Gifted and Talented means a child who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:
  • Exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area
  • Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, OR
  • Excels in a specific academic field
All gifted children are not the same. It is important to note that there are not one or two characteristics that an educator can point to in order to say that a student is G/T. It is a combination of characteristics. Some signs that a student might be gifted include, but are not limited to:
  • Extraordinary memory compared to peers
  • Highly curious
  • Highly creative
  • Exhibits abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills
  • Draws inferences and grasps underlying principles
  • Initiates projects
  • Discusses things in detail, elaborates
The referral window for all grades will begin in mid-October and end in mid-November.
Referrals can be made by parents, teachers/district staff, peers, or themselves. The referral is used as part of the Identification process to help determine if the student requires testing.
For information about the student identification process, see our G/T Identification Process section below.

Your child will need to wait one calendar year before screening again.

Kindergarten students who were identified will begin services by March 1. Students in grades 1st-11th will begin services at the beginning of the next school year. Transfer students will begin immediately upon receiving written permission from the parent/guardian for the child to participate in services.

No, once a child qualifies for G/T services, he/she will continue to receive them, unless it is requested.

DISCLAIMER: New Braunfels ISD does not endorse or advocate for any of the organizations included on this page. All resources shared on this page are not-for-profit organizations.

G/T Identification Process

Elementary
Kindergarten
Kinder Flowchart (English)
Kinder Flowchart (Spanish)

Elementary
1st-5th Grade:
1-5 Flowchart (English)
1-5 Flowchart (Spanish)

Secondary
6th-11th Grade:
6-11 Flowchart (English)
6-11 Flowchart (Spanish)

Gifted/Talented Identification Process Presentation

NBISD GT Identification Process Link

View a PDF of the presentation here

Parent Forms

Referrals for NBISD’s Gifted and Talented Students will be available from October 21, 2024, at 8 am until November 15, 2024, at 5 pm.  A referral does not assure placement in G/T services but does assure consideration for services.

The NBISD GT services support gifted/talented students in grades K-12. A gifted/talented individual frequently behaves in these ways: (Adapted from J. Szabos, CHALLENGE (34), 1989).

  1. Discusses and/or writes in detail – elaborates.

  2. Has wild, silly ideas.

  3. Works consistently two or more years above grade level.

  4. Behaves in mature ways.

  5. Infers sophisticated ideas.

  6. Thrives on complexity.

  7. Masters new ideas/skills with only 1-2 repetitions.

  8. Reads and comprehends above grade level with ease.

  9. Manipulates information to create new thoughts.

If you know of a student not currently identified as gifted/talented, you may want to refer him/her for Gifted and Talented services. Further information about G/T services are available from your child’s campus.

Referred students who qualify for G/T services will begin services in the Fall of the following school year. If you have questions about NBISD G/T services, please contact Veronica Arneson, G/T, and Advanced Academics Specialist at 830-643-5765 or VeronicaArneson@nbisd.org

The NBISD GT services support gifted/talented students in grades K-12. A gifted/talented individual frequently behaves in these ways: (Adapted from J. Szabos, CHALLENGE (34), 1989).

  1. Discusses and/or writes in detail – elaborates.
  2. Has wild, silly ideas.
  3. Works consistently two or more years above grade level.
  4. Behaves in mature ways.
  5. Infers sophisticated ideas.
  6. Thrives on complexity.
  7. Masters new ideas/skills with only 1-2 repetitions.
  8. Reads and comprehends above grade level with ease.
  9. Manipulates information to create new thoughts.

If you know of a student who is not currently identified as gifted/talented, you may want to refer him/her for Gifted and Talented services. Further information about G/T services are available from your child’s campus.

Referred students who qualify for G/T services will begin services in the Fall of the following school year. If you have specific questions regarding NBISD G/T services, please contact your campus counselor or Veronica Arneson, G/T and Advanced Academics Specialist.

Students who have transferred into New Braunfels ISD this fall semester may be eligible for referral and screening for Gifted/Talented services.* Referral forms will be available in the school office or online at nbisd.org. Referral forms must be submitted to the school office no later than the close of the first week of school.

*For nominated transfer students, standardized, nationally-normed achievement scores should show evidence of high academic ability.

NBISD Gifted/Talented Services support identified students in grades K-12. Gifted/Talented individuals frequently behave in these ways, (adapted from J. Szabos, CHALLENGE (34), 1989)

  1. Read and comprehend above grade level with ease
  2. Thrive on complexity
  3. Work consistently two or more years above grade level
  4. Discuss and/or write in detail, elaborate
  5. Have wild, silly ideas
  6. Manipulate information to create new thoughts
  7. Behave in mature ways
  8. Infer sophisticated ideas
  9. Master new ideas/skills with only 1-2 repetitions

If your child behaves in many of the ways described above, you may wish to refer him/her for Gifted/Talented services. Further information is available from your school counselor.

Referral does not assure qualification. Students new to NBISD who qualify for the services will begin receiving services immediately.

Resources

DISCLAIMER: New Braunfels ISD does not endorse or advocate for any of the organizations listed below. Only not-for profit organizations will be provided as resources. 

Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented:

The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) is a community of teachers, parents, and professionals with a shared desire to “strengthen programs, services, and funding for gifted and talented education.”
 
Parent Webinars: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/webinar/
Camp and Enrichment Listings: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/camps/
Student Scholarships: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/student-scholarships/

National Association for Gifted Children:

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) advocates for improved identification and support for our Gifted and Talented population.  Like TAGT, the NAGC offers many resources, including:

Advocate Support: https://www.nagc.org/advocacy

Additional Resources:

Gifted & Talented

Gifted & Talented

NBISD is committed to fostering and developing the abilities of gifted / talented youth. A “G/T student” means a child or youth who performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, a high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment; and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; and who possesses an unusual capacity for leadership or excels in a specific academic field.

Veronica Arneson

GT and Advanced Academics Specialist
830-643-5765

G/T – FAQ

Texas Education Code, section 29.121, Gifted and Talented means a child who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:
  • Exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area
  • Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, OR
  • Excels in a specific academic field
All gifted children are not the same. It is important to note that there are not one or two characteristics that an educator can point to in order to say that a student is G/T. It is a combination of characteristics. Some signs that a student might be gifted include, but are not limited to:
  • Extraordinary memory compared to peers
  • Highly curious
  • Highly creative
  • Exhibits abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills
  • Draws inferences and grasps underlying principles
  • Initiates projects
  • Discusses things in detail, elaborates
The referral window for all grades will begin in mid-October and end in mid-November.
Referrals can be made by parents, teachers/district staff, peers, or themselves. The referral is used as part of the Identification process to help determine if the student requires testing.

For information about the student identification process, see our G/T Identification Process section below.

Your child will need to wait one calendar year before screening again.

Kindergarten students who were identified will begin services by March 1. Students in grades 1st-11th will begin services at the beginning of the next school year. Transfer students will begin immediately upon receiving written permission from the parent/guardian for the child to participate in services.

No, once a child qualifies for G/T services, he/she will continue to receive them, unless it is requested.

Advanced Academics

In the higher grades, NBISD offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses, as well as electives and an extensive CTE program to support students in fields of interest.

The College board:
The College Board (www.collegeboard.org) website offers resources for assessment preparation and college planning.  It’s never too early to look ahead.

G/T Identification Process

Elementary
Kindergarten:
Kinder Flowchart (English)
Kinder Flowchart (Spanish)

Elementary
1st-5th Grade:
1-5 Flowchart (English)
1-5 Flowchart (Spanish)

Secondary
6th-11th Grade:
6-11 Flowchart (English)
6-11 Flowchart (Spanish)

Gifted/Talented Identification Process Presentation

NBISD GT Identification Process Link

View a PDF of the presentation here

Parent Forms

Referrals for NBISD’s Gifted and Talented Students will be available from October 21, 2024, at 8 am until November 15, 2024, at 5 pm.  A referral does not assure placement in G/T services but does assure consideration for services.

The NBISD GT services support gifted/talented students in grades K-12. A gifted/talented individual frequently behaves in these ways: (Adapted from J. Szabos, CHALLENGE (34), 1989).

  1. Discusses and/or writes in detail – elaborates.

  2. Has wild, silly ideas.

  3. Works consistently two or more years above grade level.

  4. Behaves in mature ways.

  5. Infers sophisticated ideas.

  6. Thrives on complexity.

  7. Masters new ideas/skills with only 1-2 repetitions.

  8. Reads and comprehends above grade level with ease.

  9. Manipulates information to create new thoughts.

If you know of a student not currently identified as gifted/talented, you may want to refer him/her for Gifted and Talented services. Further information about G/T services are available from your child’s campus.

Referred students who qualify for G/T services will begin services in the Fall of the following school year. If you have questions about NBISD G/T services, please contact Veronica Arneson, G/T, and Advanced Academics Specialist at 830-643-5765 or VeronicaArneson@nbisd.org

Students who have transferred into New Braunfels ISD this fall semester may be eligible for referral and screening for Gifted/Talented services.* Referral forms will be available in the school office or online at nbisd.org. Referral forms must be submitted to the school office no later than the close of the first week of school.

*For nominated transfer students, standardized, nationally-normed achievement scores should show evidence of high academic ability.

NBISD Gifted/Talented Services support identified students in grades K-12. Gifted/Talented individuals frequently behave in these ways, (adapted from J. Szabos, CHALLENGE (34), 1989)

  1. Read and comprehend above grade level with ease
  2. Thrive on complexity
  3. Work consistently two or more years above grade level
  4. Discuss and/or write in detail, elaborate
  5. Have wild, silly ideas
  6. Manipulate information to create new thoughts
  7. Behave in mature ways
  8. Infer sophisticated ideas
  9. Master new ideas/skills with only 1-2 repetitions

If your child behaves in many of the ways described above, you may wish to refer him/her for Gifted/Talented services. Further information is available from your school counselor.

Referral does not assure qualification. Students new to NBISD who qualify for the services will begin receiving services immediately.

G/T Parent Handbook (English)
G/T Parent Handbook (Spanish)
Kinder-11th grade G/T Referral
Credit by Exam Brochure
Exit/Furlough Initiation Form

Resources

Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented:
The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) is a community of teachers, parents, and professionals with a shared desire to “strengthen programs, services, and funding for gifted and talented education.”
– Parent Webinars: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/webinar/
– Camp and Enrichment Listings: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/camps/
– Student Scholarships: https://txgifted.org/community-resources/student-scholarships/

National Association for Gifted Children:
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) advocates for improved identification and support for our Gifted and Talented population. Like TAGT, the NAGC offers many resources, including:

Advocate Support: https://www.nagc.org/advocacy

Family Tip Sheets: https://www.nagc.org/family-tip-sheets
Gifted and Talented Resources Directory: https://giftedandtalentedresourcesdirectory.com/


Additional Resources: