Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and
parents.
- Why do you give so many tests?
- Why do we have to nominate so early in the school year?
- Why does the district not use TAKS scores to determine placement?
- Is giftedness inherited?
- What about high achieving and honors students?
Why do you give so many tests?
The Texas Education Agency requires that districts assess
students using a
minimum of three criteria. RRISD uses more than three because
multiple
indicators tell more about the different facets of students'
abilities
therefore providing more opportunities for students to meet a
minimum of
three criteria.
Why do we have to nominate so early in the school year?
It is necessary to refer students early in the year so that
adequate time exists for the Placement Committees to review
student files and collect needed
information to initiate testing which takes place in January and
early
February. Testing must be scheduled then to avoid a number of
end-of-the-
year tests which are scheduled in March, April, and May. Tests
given in
January and February are machine scored outside the district and
require six
weeks to process.
Placement forms are then developed and Campus Placement
Committees review the new data. Final determination of the
student's status
is made and notices sent by the end of the school year for
placement the
following school year. Without early referrals and testing,
placement
decisions could not be made until after school begins in August.
Why does the district not use TAKS scores to determine placement?
The TAKS test is an inappropriate measure for identification for
a gifted
program. TAKS is a criterion-referenced test designed to
determine if a
designated, core curriculum is being taught to Texas students.
As a result,
the test does not look at knowledge and/or skills that are above
the
students' grade levels. Identifying students for gifted services
requires
determining if they are functioning significantly above grade
level; something
the TAKS test does not indicate.
Is giftedness inherited?
The answer to this is complex and not easily provided in a short
answer.
Intelligence is a combination of heredity and environment, and
there is no
general agreement on the percentage of heredity vs. environment
although
60% - 40% on either side is commonly accepted.
Any gifted program identifies students who demonstrate the
potential of
gifted behaviors. However, giftedness is not displayed until a
person moves
into a field of endeavor and actually performs at the top of that
field.
What about high achieving and honors students?
High achieving students are found in all general classrooms in
the
district. In elementary and middle school, the core curriculum
is enriched
in the regular classroom. Parents should talk with the student's
classroom
teacher to determine what enrichment is being provided. In high
school, Pre-
Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement, Pre-International
Baccalaureate, and
International Baccalaureate classes are available for students
wishing to
pursue college preparatory and college-level classes while still
in public
schools. Academies are available to those students who have a
focused
interest in the content area being offered.