Margo Gigee - Director, 281-485-3203
Gifted
and Talented Program
The Pearland Independent School District offers services for students identified as gifted and talented based upon district criteria. Gifted students 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. All students enrolled in kindergarten are considered part of a talent pool and are screened for program services. Identified students in grades 1-4 are served in cluster groups within the classroom by a teacher trained to work with gifted students, and a G/T resource teacher provides inclusion and/or pull-out services. Students in grades 5-8 are instructed by a teacher trained to work with gifted students in advanced level courses or in regular courses with appropriate differentiation in the four core areas. Students at this level may also participate in Texas Future Problem Solving, Quiz Bowl, or Math and Science clubs. At the high school level, gifted students are served in AP (Advanced Placement) and Pre-AP courses by teachers with GT, AP, or IB training. High school students may enroll in dual credit courses and earn college and high school credit, enroll in regular classes, or test out of courses through our Credit by Exam program. In addition, high school students have multiple opportunities for academic competition.
For further information on our Gifted and Talented Program, including identification and exit procedures, please refer our Gifted and Talented Services Handbook.
Advanced Placement/ Pre-Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program allows eleventh and twelfth grade students to take college-level classes as part of their high school curriculum. These courses offer challenging learning experiences and maintain high standards. Students who demonstrate mastery on the AP Exam may receive credit from many colleges and universities. Pearland ISD offers AP courses in all core areas as well as several electives. For a full listing of courses offered, please refer to the Pearland High School Course Selection Handbook or the Dawson High School Course Selection Handbook.
Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) courses are designed to meet the needs of advanced learners in grades six and up and to build a foundation for success in AP courses. Pre-AP courses are offered in a variety of areas. For a full listing of Pre-AP courses offered, please refer to your campus’s course selection handbook.
Please refer to The College Board for more information about the Advanced Placement Program.
International Baccalaureate Programmes
International Baccalaureate is recognized as an international standard for excellence in student performance. Its strenuous curriculum encourages student responsibility for learning as well as high achievement. IB is divided into three programmes based on student age and development.
Each programme promotes the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth through all domains of knowledge, involving the major traditions of learning in languages, humanities, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. At the heart of the programme’s philosophy is a commitment to structured, purposeful inquiry as the leading vehicle for learning, and is expressed through three fundamental concepts that support and strengthen all areas of the curriculum. These concepts are based on intercultural awareness, holistic learning, and communication.
Although it takes several years to become an authorized IB World School, Pearland ISD has begun the process to move toward IB authorized schools. Massey Ranch Elementary is an IB candidate school. In addition, four other schools: Jamison, Alexander, Cockrell, and Magnolia are beginning the IB consideration phase. Ongoing teacher, administrator, and specialist training will prepare Pearland ISD to expand and develop IB at all age levels. If you have questions about International Baccalaureate implementation, please click the link to FAQ (Frequently asked Questions). If you desire more information about IB, please refer to www.ibo.org.
Staff Development
The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students requires that all teachers of identified gifted students complete 30 hours of awareness training including Nature & Needs of Gifted Learners, Assessment & Identification of Gifted Learners, and Differentiating Curriculum for Gifted Learners. Additionally, teachers of identified gifted students must complete 6 hours of update training annually.
Pearland ISD provides its teachers with a variety of options for obtaining both the 30 hours initial G/T Training and the 6 hour annual update training.
