Midway ISD reports growth in identified gifted students, plans parent and student surveys

Midway ISD presented its annual update on the gifted-and-talented (GT) program, reporting an increase in identifications and steps to broaden representation and services.

Tiffany Brummet, the district's elementary math, science and GT coordinator, told the board the district evaluated 520 referred students for GT services for the coming year; 32% of referred students qualified and 21 cases remained pending at the time of the report. She said approximately 13% of the overall district population is identified as gifted, compared with about 9% statewide, and the district currently serves 374 elementary and 409 middle-school GT students with projected increases next year.

Brummet credited the talent-development program started last year with improving identification among previously underrepresented groups and said nearly all students who re-tested after participation in talent development subsequently met GT criteria. The GT advisory committee's third year included staff and parent representatives from each campus; the committee has met three times this year, used the Texas State Plan and the Midway ISD GT handbook to evaluate services, and will implement a plan of action informed by parent and student surveys.

The presentation announced upcoming events including elementary showcases and middle-school showcases on April 29 and May 1, and the district's first annual GT Shark Tank event on April 25 where board members volunteered to serve as judges.

The board approved the GT plan as part of the consent agenda later in the meeting.