Office of the Superintendent of Schools
Office of Academics
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Approval To Submit Four Innovative Course Applications To The Texas Education Agency For Gifted And Talented High-School Students
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This item seeks approval of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) School Board to submit a 2025-2030 application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to host four innovative courses for gifted and talented high-school students. These courses are titled N1290309 GT Interdisciplinary Studies/Mentor Seminars I-IV (GTISM). Schools typically offer Seminar I in ninth grade, II in tenth grade, etc. These courses have been used by HISD high schools since the 2015-2016 school year and are up for renewal for the next five years as per TEA.
These innovative courses support gifted and talented students in completing coursework that will count towards an endorsement as part of their high-school diploma. An endorsement is a series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set, and that provide students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area. There are five endorsement areas to choose from, one of which is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Currently in HISD, the following campuses use these courses: Bellaire High School (HS), Carnegie Vanguard HS, Chavez HS, Eastwood Academy, Energy Institute HS, Heights HS, Kinder HS for Performing and Visual Arts, Lamar HS, Leland Young Men's College Preparatory Academy, Madison HS, North Houston Early College HS, Sharpstown International School, Sterling Aviation HS, Waltrip HS, Westside HS, and Young Women's College Preparatory Academy. Each campus follows the descriptions of the courses to meet the unique needs of its students. HISD had 1,604 students enrolled in these courses in the 2023-2024 school year.
COST/FUNDING SOURCE(S):
None
STAFFING IMPLICATIONS:
None
THIS ITEM DOES NOT ESTABLISH, MODIFY, OR DELETE BOARD POLICY.
recommendation
RECOMMENDED: That the School Board a...
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