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Belton ISD reports rise in gifted-and-talented identification, details guaranteed service model
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Summary
Assistant Superintendent Gabby Nino told the board that the district now identifies 11.8% of students as gifted and talented and outlined a guaranteed service model with campus GT leads, innovation specialists, specific pull‑out schedules and new assessment practices.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Gabby Nino presented the district’s annual gifted‑and‑talented (GT) update at the April 20 Belton ISD board meeting, reporting an increase in identified students to 11.8% and describing program changes meant to guarantee services across campuses.
Nino told trustees the district’s GT identification rate has risen and is now higher than the state average; she said the district’s GT students demonstrate strong outcomes — for example, 88% meet or exceed grade‑level expectations in the data cited and the district reported a 100% four‑year graduation rate for students identified as gifted and talented. “We have now identified 11.8 percent of our students as gifted and talented,” Nino said.
Nino described a guaranteed‑service model for the coming school year that includes designated GT leads on every campus and innovation specialists who will provide direct services. She gave grade‑band examples of the promised services: kindergarten identified students will have at least two pull‑out experiences between March and May; first and second graders will have four pull‑outs (two fall, two spring); third through fifth graders will receive two pull‑out blocks per week lasting 45–60 minutes; middle schools will offer a GT pathways elective; and high schools continue to offer AP Seminar and AP Research.
The presenter also described steps to broaden identification and fidelity: district and campus placement committees, the addition of measures such as the Naglieri and STAR Renaissance growth data, and on‑demand professional learning and monitoring systems for GT teachers. Nino said the district has ensured that identified GT students have a certified GT teacher in English language arts or math and that curriculum units and embedded enrichment support will be provided.
During Q&A, a trustee asked whether the district’s eligibility relied primarily on IQ tests and whether high‑performing students who do not meet test thresholds can access GT services. Nino responded that every district sets eligibility criteria but that Belton ISD has expanded measures used for identification and will continue refining the process; she said innovation specialists and placement committees will allow the district to identify and serve more students.
Board members thanked staff for the work and noted parent engagement events and summer programs such as Camp Invention that will expand learning opportunities. The district will continue to refine identification, placement and fidelity of services in the 2026–27 school year.
