Supporting Gifted Learners

The student achievement presentation at the October School Board meeting focused on the Advanced Academics Services Department.  Executive Director Gerry Charlebois highlighted how the department works collaboratively with our principals and teachers.  Together, they design a quality education for all students while supporting the needs of the gifted learners.  In C-FB ISD, we are very fortunate to have the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Association for Gifted and Talented who works along side the educational team

in supporting our gifted education program, students and families.

As the Advanced Academic Services team members implement the district's advanced-level instructional programs, they follow three critical goals: identification, quality services and high academic performance.

Identification

Early assessment is important, and we begin identification as early as kindergarten.  Our identification process is comprehensive throughout our elementary and secondary schools.  Along with assessments, a key instrument that we are using to identify students are portfolios.  Our Advanced Academic Specialists are working with our teachers and counselors in helping them identify what to look for in student portfolios.  Almost 9% of our students are identified for the ACE (Academic Creative Education) program.

Quality Services

C-FB ISD is well known for its gifted services.  The LEAP program for the highly gifted attracts families to the district. Although the elementary and middle school programs are housed at McCoy Elementary and DeWitt Perry Middle Schools, respectively, eligible students transfer into the two schools from across the district.

Our International Baccalaureate (IB) offerings at Good Elementary, Las Colinas Elementary, Barbara Bush Middle and Ranchview High Schools also bring families to our community.  C-FB ISD is one of 146 elite districts and schools in the world that offer an IB continuum from kindergarten through grade 12 through Las Colinas, Barbara Bush and Ranchview. Only 17 schools in North America claim this distinction. C-FB ISD was the second public school district in North Texas to offer the IB continuum.

Good Elementary was the district’s first IB school, and the first elementary school in North Texas to receive IB primary years programme authorization in March 2008. The school received its reauthorization in June. We have had 33 IB candidates graduate from Ranchview High School in the last two graduating classes (2010 and 2011).

Parents are highly involved in the C-FB ISD Association for the Gifted and Talented (AGT).  Organized in 1979, AGT offers much support and learning opportunities for parents and students.  On October 19, the group will host Dr. Sylvia Rimm, a leading expert on gifted education.  Special Seminar 

The Advanced Academic Services team also works with our campuses to offer other services such as the annual UIL Middle School Academic Competition.  This competition builds awareness and expertise for high school academic contests.  Last year, more than 600 middle school students participated thanks to the efforts of our middle school faculty and staff and Advanced Academic Services department.  We also encourage students to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP).  Qualifying seventh graders take the SAT or ACT, and last year, 686 C-FB ISD students were eligible.

High Performance
In keeping with the district's goal of "high achievement for all students," the Advanced Academic Services Department also monitors the success of students enrolled in advanced course work.  The district has initiatives and partnerships in place to increase their academic performance. 

The district offers prep sessions on the PSAT and SAT; these classes provide firsthand practice for the SAT and a chance for students to enter the National Merit Scholarship program. The district has just entered into a partnership with Advanced Placement Strategies and R. L. Turner High School.  The $502,250 grant from LBJ Infrastructure Express will focus on increasing the number of students taking and receiving qualifying scores on Advanced Placement math, science, and English exams.

We have seen an increase in the number of students taking the SAT, and the district scores remain above the state scores.  This is good news because, hopefully, the more students who take college-entrance exams will mean more C-FB ISD graduates will enter college.

Finally, the Advanced Academic Services team monitors Advanced Placement enrollment and performance.  We are pleased to see growth over a five-year period.  Although we did see a slight dip in the number of test takers from 2008-09 and 2009-2010, overall, the number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses is exceptional.  However, we would like more students to earn 3, 4, or 5's on the exams, but we are pleased with the results.  The C-FB ISD team will  continue to work on improving our performance in this area.

The Department of Advanced Academic Services works closely with our campuses to increase achievement for all students while supporting the needs of the gifted learners.  If you wish to learn more about the programs supported by Advanced Academic Services, visit the website: Advanced Academic Services.  Remember in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, we are all working toward one goal: "high achievement for all students."