GT Family Guide: English Spanish
What is Gifted and Talented?
A gifted/talented student is a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who
- exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;
- possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or
- excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code §29.121)
YMLA GT Contact
Dr. Royster serves as the campus Gifted and Talented (GT) contact, playing a vital role in identifying and supporting students with advanced academic abilities. She oversees the GT program, ensuring that eligible students have access to challenging and enriching learning opportunities tailored to their unique strengths. In addition to coordinating assessments and program placement, Dr. Royster collaborates with teachers, parents, and administrators to provide guidance, resources, and strategies that help GT students reach their full potential. Her dedication and expertise make her an essential advocate for fostering intellectual growth and academic excellence on campus.
Dr. Tangee Royster, Teacher
tangee.royster@austinisd.org
Referral Window for SY2025-26: August 19-October 17
GT referrals are submitted through an online GT Referral Form.
Students may be identified in one or more of the following areas:
- GT STEM (science and mathematics),
- GT Humanities (language arts and social studies),
- Talent Explore STEM (science and mathematics), or
- Talent Explore Humanities (language arts and social studies).
Transfer Records of GT Services
Inter-district GT Transfers
- Austin ISD students identified as GT or Talent Explore will continue to receive these supports if they change schools within the district.
- Interdistrict GT Transfers are automatic. No additional documentation or action is needed.
Returning to Austin ISD after Leaving the District
- The parent/caregiver must contact the front office of the school to request the contact information for the campus GT Advocate to have the student reinstated by the district
- After confirming that the student had previously received services in Austin ISD, services are reinstated and the campus and family is informed of the decision.
- Additional documentation may be required by the district before a decision can be made.
Out-of-District Transfer of GT Identification
- Students must be enrolled in Austin ISD.
- This process is only available to students who were identified as and received services for GT in a school district outside of Austin ISD.
- A Parent/Caregiver will complete the Out-of-District Transfer Review Form
- The district will request the required student records that document previous GT identification before the review can begin.
- The student’s GT placement decision will be sent to the parent/caregiver and campus GT Advocate via email after the review of student records is completed.
- The GT Transfer Request and potential identification has no bearing on campus placement, as all AISD campuses offer GT services.