GAINESVILLE, Texas — Time is running short for parents, teachers, and community members to refer students for Gainesville ISD's Gifted and Talented program, with the referral window closing November 1 for the 2025-2026 school year. The district's GT program serves students who demonstrate exceptional abilities in intellectual, creative, or specific academic areas, providing them with differentiated instruction designed to meet their unique learning needs. Early identification and appropriate services help ensure high-ability students receive challenges commensurate with their capabilities. Referrals may be submitted by parents, teachers, community members who know the student well, or—at the secondary level—by the students themselves. This inclusive referral process ensures that talented students from all backgrounds and circumstances have opportunities to be identified and served. The GT referral process represents the first step in a comprehensive evaluation system that uses multiple criteria to identify students who would benefit from gifted services. After the referral period closes, the district conducts assessments examining various aspects of student ability, including aptitude tests, achievement measures, and classroom performance observations. Gainesville ISD's commitment to gifted education reflects research showing that high-ability students benefit from specialized instruction tailored to their learning characteristics. GT services provide accelerated pacing, greater depth and complexity in curriculum, and opportunities to explore topics of interest at advanced levels. Identified students receive GT services integrated into their regular classroom instruction, with teachers trained in gifted education methodologies. The program aims to foster intellectual growth while supporting students' social and emotional development, recognizing that gifted children have unique needs beyond academics. Parents who believe their child demonstrates exceptional abilities should consider submitting a referral before the November 1 deadline. Characteristics that might indicate giftedness include advanced vocabulary, intense curiosity, rapid learning, creative problem-solving, and the ability to make complex connections between ideas. Teachers play a crucial role in identifying potentially gifted students, particularly those whose abilities might not be immediately obvious. Some talented students underachieve due to boredom, lack of challenge, or social-emotional factors, making teacher observation and referral essential for comprehensive identification. Families with questions about the referral process, eligibility criteria, or GT services can contact their child's campus counselor or the district's GT coordinator. The district office maintains detailed information about the program, including evaluation procedures, service delivery models, and parent resources. The November 1 deadline allows sufficient time for the district to complete evaluations and notify families of results before the end of the current school year. This timeline ensures that identified students can begin receiving appropriate services at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. Referral forms are available through campus counselors and on the Gainesville ISD website under the academics section. The district encourages anyone who knows a potentially gifted student to submit a referral, ensuring that talented young people receive the educational opportunities they need to reach their full potential.