Texas Performance Standards ProjectSummary of Success

The Texas Education Agency’s

The TPSP, a system to motivate and

document high levels of academic

achievement, is one option for schools

as they meet the requirements of the

Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (State Plan).

Texas Performance Standards Project

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. State Plan

State Goal

The TPSP is available for any Texas public district or school to improve the rigor and relevance of its advanced academic instruction. Although the interdisciplinary units (called tasks) are designed for gifted/talented students, they can be differentiated for use with all students. Originally developed for grades 4 and 8 and the high school exit level, the TPSP now offers tasks from kindergarten through high school in multiple content areas.

Participation in the TPSP directly develops the skills and traits cited most often by higher education faculty as those necessary for success in post-secondary education — critical reasoning, problem-solving, academic integrity, and the abilities to conduct in-depth research and work independently. Thus, TPSP implementation helps districts achieve the goal adopted by the Texas P-16 Council to “ensure that every Texas student is college ready when exiting high school and is competitive in a global economy upon timely completion of a post-secondary degree.”

College Readiness

Overview

Each exit level project involves immersion into a field of interest and mentorship with a professional from that field. The study, which includes an abstract and a process record, results in a professional level project presented to a panel of experts.

Students in kindergarten through grade 10 may prepare for this in-depth independent study through participation in a continuum of tasks. These tasks consist of two phases:

• Learning Experiences—teacher-led instruction in which students develop research skills and content knowledge that they will use to conduct independent research and create an original product

• Independent Research—student investigation into a topic leading to the development of a high-quality product that demonstrates their knowledge and skills

TPSP AssessmentThe TPSP includes an assessment system that encourages high levels of performance in multiple areas:

Scoring Dimensions• Content Knowledge and Skills• Analysis and Synthesis• Multiple Perspectives• Research• Communication• Presentation of Learning (grades 4 and 8)

Additional Exit Level Scoring Dimensions• Innovation and Application• Relevance and Significance• Ethics/Unanswered Questions• Professional Quality

• Differentiation of curriculum and instruction

• Vertical alignment of curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students

• Interdisciplinary connections among the four content areas

• Student engagement in Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)-based research projects

• High-end, student-developed products and performances

“From the TPSP tasks that are so clearly aligned with the TEKS, teachers are able to see that differentiated instruction is not an add-on to the day but an instructional strategy that brings engagement, intellectual rigor, and appropriate challenges for our gifted learners.” —Beverly Jeffcoat, Education Service Center, Region 18

Benefits

The TPSP provides vertical curriculum alignment and a true continuum of rigor and relevance. This alignment helps ensure that all students are achieving at high academic levels. Through participation in the TPSP, educators are able to identify strengths and needs of their programs. Because of the open-ended nature of the tasks, the TPSP showcases what students are capable of doing academically. Successful students are visible in the community and project a positive image for the school.

Program Impacts as Indicated by a Study of Pilot Districts

Participation in TPSP results in

appropriately challenging services

for gifted/talented students that include

options in the four core academic areas,

as well as enrichment subjects.

Program Impacts as Indicated by a Study of Pilot Districts

“The program is a great way for gifted students to get credit for passionate work. It gives teachers a way to recognize unique attributes of gifted students and present that work to others in the community.” —Karen Green, Lago Vista ISD

The study showed

that students

from schools that had

participated in the TPSP

for three years were

significantly more likely to

enroll in advanced courses

in grade 10 than students

from non-participating

schools.

PROGRAM IMPACTS

The TPSP is an effective

strategy for promoting rigor

and relevance for all students.

“We continue to work to expand and improve our program because we believe it is an integral and crucial part of our students’ development as scholars.” —Alfonso Correa, Dallas ISD

Participation in the TPSP results in improvements in

school or district G/T services, especially in the areas of

teacher professional growth, teacher comfort with G/T students,

teacher ability to differentiate curriculum for G/T students, and

sophistication of products and/or performances developed by

G/T students.

“The research being conducted on the TPSP will help set Texas apart as one of the few states in the country committed to both statewide standards and an assess-ment system that adequately measure the highest levels of achievement of gifted and talented students! Congratulations on this exciting work!”

—Sally M. Reis, Ph.D.Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor

University Teaching FellowDepartment of Educational Psychology

Neag School of EducationUniversity of Connecticut

PROGRAM IMPACTS

Parents

demonstrate

a high level of

support for the

program.

“I still remember one of the parents coming back to me years later saying how proud she was of her daughter and how proud her daughter was of herself.”

—Shellie Malik, Northside ISD

“From a learning standpoint, it seems to be one of the most thorough projects students will ever complete.”

—Judy Truesdell Mecca, Parent

Participation in the TPSP challenges students’

oral communication skills, understanding of

inquiry and research processes, and ability to analyze

and synthesize. Students also show improvement and

increased confidence in content knowledge and skills.

PROGRAM IMPACTS

Students appreciate

the opportunity to

pursue their passions and

their intellectual curiosity.

They are proud of their

accomplishments.

One TPSP student researched and developed a video in her study entitled “How to Get into College as a First Generation College Goer.” The district reproduced the video and now uses it in classes designed to promote college preparation and aspiration for students underrepresented in higher education. The student also used the video as part of her successful application to the University of Texas. —Gerry Charlebois, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

“The TPSP has provided unique opportunities for our students to develop real-world problem solving skills while passionately pursuing possible career interests.” —Delesa Styles, Graham ISD

Students appreciate

the opportunity to

pursue their passions and

their intellectual curiosity.

They are proud of their

accomplishments.

PROGRAM IMPACTS

TPSP Pilot Districts 2000–2006

Region Pilot School DiStRict(S)

1Brownsville, Edcouch-Elsa, Hidalgo, Laredo, San Benito, United

2Alice, Beeville, Calallen, Corpus Christi, Ingleside, Mathis, Robstown

3 Victoria

4 Aldine, Alvin, Houston, Lamar, LaPorte, Pasadena

5 Beaumont

7 Hemphill, Nacogdoches, Rains, Sabine, White Oak

8 DeKalb

9 Burkburnett, City View, Graham, Wichita Falls

10 Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Dallas, Garland, Wylie

11 Fort Worth, Hurst-Euless-Bedford

12 Copperas Cove, Killeen, LaVega, Temple, Waco, Whitney

13Comal, Georgetown, Lago Vista, Round Rock, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City

14 Abilene, Colorado, Comanche

16 Boys Ranch, Highland Park

17 Lamesa, Levelland, Lubbock, Slaton, Sundown

18Big Spring, Ector County, Fort Stockton, Midland, Terlingua

19 Socorro, Ysleta

20 Boerne, Northside

The TPSP has now expanded to every region of the state.

The TPSP was piloted across the state in 67 school districts between 2000 and 2006. Pilot districts engaged their administrators, teachers, and students in grades 4 and 8 and at the exit level.

TPSP Pilot Districts 2000–2006

To start the TPSP at the campus or district level, school boards, administrators, and teachers should be introduced to its benefits. Each task is aligned with the TEKS and is fully developed and ready to implement. In Spring 2006, the Texas Education Agency provided every district and campus in the state with a Guide to Success, accompanied by videos appropriate for use with school boards, parents, and teachers. Teachers can also seek professional development and technical assistance on the TPSP from regional education service centers.

Implementation

“The Texas Performance Standards provide a significant means to advocate on behalf of gifted students. These standards provide the evidence that underscores the value and importance of gifted education.”

—Sandra N. Kaplan, Ed.D.Associate Professor of Clinical Education

University of Southern CaliforniaRossier School of Education

Visit the Texas Performance Standards Project

website at www.texaspsp.org

or contact

Texas Education Agency

Division of Curriculum

512.463.9581

curriculum@tea.state.tx.us

“This project was a challenge for me as well as my students, but has been such a valuable contribution to my program. The students are amazed at what they are capable of doing and so proud of the end result.”

—Robbie Young, Alvin ISD

To Find Out More

Texas Performance Standards Project©2007TexasEducationAgency

“You really learn a lot about yourself…about what you want to do for the rest of your life.” —Exit level student