RtI is a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of our students with the instruction they need for learning success. The goal of RtI is to prevent students from falling behind and developing learning difficulties.  The process includes early identification when students begin to struggle with learning or behavior. 

The process focuses on three areas of the classroom experience:

• Mathematics
• Reading
• Behavior

Benefits of RtI

• Ensures that all children have access to individualized instruction based on their academic needs
• Struggling learners are identified, supported, and served
• More effective instruction
• Increased student achievement
• Appropriate LD (learning disabilities)identification
• Overall school improvement

GISD is committed in providing students with dyslexia every opportunity to succeed.  We recognize that every child is unique and the impact of dyslexia can vary from person to person.  We provide students with the appropriate intervention and supports, as well as recognizing the individual need of the student to ensure they are afforded the educational opportunities they deserve.

In addition, we promote self-advocacy, provide scientifically proven, evidence based intervention and have a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) or therapist-in-training on every campus k-12.  We strive to provide every opportunity that will prepare our students for future success.

Students who qualify for the Gifted and Talented Program will receive appropriate G/T services at their current GISD campus from specially-trained teachers.

What defines a student as gifted or talented?

The state of Texas defines a gifted and talented student as 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 capabilities 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

What is expected of a gifted/talented student?

The state of Texas goal is:

Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience or environment. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students

English Language Learners (ELLs) or Limited English Proficient (LEP) students are a diverse group of students who do not speak English as their primary or home language. These students have a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English and need unique teaching and support in order to get the same educational opportunities as native language learners. They are eligible to receive a variety of services and participate in programs that will help them learn academic content and become skilled in their second language (English).

In A.L.E. classes, practical application of academic skills is taught to maximize achievement at school, at home, and in the community. The A.L.E. program provides an environment which allows for learning that is individualized and appropriate to each student's developmental and functional level.

Moving Toward Independence (MTI)

MTI is a specialized class under the A.L.E program. It is designed to support students who require additional assistance in the areas of self-help and daily living skills.

Feel free to contact our A.L.E. teacher Amy Daspit for more information.

The traditional resource classroom is for special education students who are struggling substantially more than struggling grade level peers and are functioning significantly below grade level. The special education teacher provides direct, simplified/modified grade level instruction in the core academic areas. The special education teacher is responsible for planning instruction according to the student's IEP.

Feel free to contact our CBSE teacher Elizabeth Antinozzi for more information.

Speech and language therapy is available to all students, ages three through twenty-one years enrolled in Garland ISD that meet district eligibility criteria as speech impaired. Through evaluation and intervention, the speech-language pathologist helps students with communication disorders in the areas of articulation, language, voice, and fluency.

Feel free to contact our Speech Therapist Mackenzie Kimmons for more information.

Many of these online instructional resources are also available in Ready Hub.

Ready Hub provides a central place for students to access digital resources with a single sign-on experience.

Log in to Ready Hub

Log in to Ready Hub using the same username and password credentials you use for logging into a GISD computer.