| Houston Schools families who have children who | | | | includes test scores from the Stanford/Aprenza |
| are identified as "gifted" or "talented" academically | | | | exam and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. |
| face unique problems. The biggest one is ensuring | | | | Report-card points and teacher recommendations |
| that the child in question is being adequately | | | | are also considered. |
| challenged, without suffering burn-out. "I'm bored" | | | | Students who have limited English proficiency, are |
| is one of those phrases that all parents hate | | | | enrolled in special education, or qualify as having |
| hearing. I mean really hate. It's frustrating for a | | | | low socioeconomic status are also considered for |
| parent to be relied upon for entertaining and | | | | placement in one of these special Houston |
| keeping the child busy, especially when that child is | | | | Schools. These Houston Schools are continuously |
| of school-age. By the time they are in 2nd or 3rd | | | | monitored to help ensure that high-quality and |
| grade, kids should be able to find things to | | | | more-rigorous instruction is provided in all |
| entertain and keep themselves occupied. The | | | | classrooms. These Houston Schools students are |
| bright ones are no exception, and may be the | | | | expected to score above grade-level on the |
| ones doing the most complaining. Too often, kids | | | | Stanford test. In addition, any of these Houston |
| who aren't being challenged in school get | | | | Schools high-school students who are enrolled in a |
| themselves into trouble. Some see no point in | | | | Vanguard School are required to take a minimum |
| even attending classes, are truant, or get into | | | | of two advanced-academic courses (ex: |
| things they shouldn't. Keeping these Houston Public | | | | Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, |
| Schools kids busy and challenged is the best way | | | | or dual-credit). |
| to ensure that none of the situations mentioned | | | | Having programs like the Vanguard Schools help |
| above occur. | | | | make Houston Schools a desirable place to be and |
| Houston Schools are working to make their | | | | learn. Most kids who fall into the "Gifted and |
| centers of learning ones where the gifted and | | | | Talented" category want to be challenged and |
| talented are continually challenged with unique | | | | learn more. However, these kids look at the world |
| magnet programs and rigorous standards. | | | | a little differently than most, and require a unique |
| Starting in the '07-'08 school year, students who | | | | program that will serve their needs. Houston |
| are gifted or academically talented will all attend | | | | Schools have made sure to identify these |
| magnet schools called Vanguard Schools. Students | | | | students and provide them with excellent places |
| are identified for placement in a Vanguard School | | | | that they can attend to make the most of their |
| by looking at various indicators and traits. The | | | | public Houston Schools education. |
| "identification matrix" used by Houston Schools | | | | Sounds like a good place to go to school! |