Brenham ISD

Special Programs and Required Documentation

Contact Information:
Peggy Still
Advanced Academics Contact
pstill@brenhamk-12.net
979-277-3700

Bilingual/ESL - Currently, Brenham ISD provides Bilingual and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for students identified as having limited use of the English language. English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) are included in our curriculum.

Challenging Scientific Investigations (CSI) - CSI, Challenging Scientific Investigations, is a Brenham ISD Initiative that provides an opportunity for 2nd - 6th Grade Gifted and Talented students to explore science and technology as they read, write, solve problems, conduct experiments and apply science to their daily lives.

Dyslexia - Brenham ISD provides dyslexia screening and classes for identified students. Dyslexic Therapist have been trained to use the Nuehaus method of teaching with these students. Parents may contact the campus teacher regarding evaluation.

Gateway - Gateway is a fully immersed program for students in grades three through five who are identified as Gifted and Talented. Gateway is designed to build critical thinkers, problem solvers, and life-long learners

Gifted & Talented - Students in grades 2-6 who qualify for Gifted & Talented services in Brenham ISD are served by the CSI Program housed at Alton Elementary School. Students in grades 7-12 are served by our Pre-AP and AP programs.

Go HERE: Bilingual Family Meeting 2022 to watch an informative meeting on our district's bilingual program.

Vaya AQUÍ: Reunión familiar bilingüe 2022 para ver una reunión informativa sobre el programa bilingüe de nuestro distrito.


		What Parents Need to Know About: Bilingual Program


Who qualifies for the program?	Upon initial enrollment all students must have a Home Language Survey (HLS) completed in their student record. If the HLS indicates a language other than English, testing must be initiated to determine English proficiency. Students are administered an oral language proficiency test in English and Spanish called the IPT, which tests listening and speaking skills. Students who qualify for the bilingual program are students who speak Spanish at home and Spanish is the dominant language shown on the oral language proficiency test with limited English proficiency. In addition to the IPT test, students in grades 2-12 are given the IOWA, an English norm-referenced standardized achievement test. Students scoring below the cut-off English proficiency on the IPT and below the 40th percentile on the English reading and language are classified as an English Learner. The Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) determines if the student qualifies for Bilingual or ESL and provides a written recommendation to the parents.
What services are provided by the program?	The Bilingual program is designed to meet the diverse needs of English Learners by utilizing Spanish and English to provide tailored instruction. The Bilingual program is designed to enable Spanish speaking students to become competent in literacy and academic skills in English through their native language. Bilingual students are first taught the same grade level academic concepts in Spanish and transition into English instruction. Brenham ISD is an early exit transitional model which means students begin transitioning over to English starting in kindergarten in math and by fourth grade all subjects are taught in English. Bilingual is offered in prekindergarten through fourth grade with teachers who are trained and certified in working with students that speak both Spanish and English.
How do students exit the program?	Texas has specific grade level exit requirements. For students in STAAR tested grades, students must pass the Reading STAAR in English, receive Advanced High in TELPAS Writing or pass STAAR writing if taken, and are fluent in English on the listening and speaking test.
For more information about screening: Director of Special Programs Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net


		What Parents Need to Know About: ESL


Who qualifies for the program?	Upon initial new student enrollment, all students must have a Home Language Survey (HLS) completed in their student record. If the HLS indicates a language spoken in the home other than English, testing must be initiated to determine English proficiency. Students are administered an oral language proficiency test in English called the IPT. Students who qualify for English as a Second Language (ESL) are students who speak a language other than English and have limited English proficiency. In addition to the IPT test, students in grades 2-12 are given the IOWA, an English norm-referenced standardized achievement test. Students scoring below the cut-off English proficiency on the IPT and below the 40th percentile on the English reading and language are classified as an English Learner. The Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) determines if the student qualifies for Bilingual or ESL and provides a written recommendation to the parents.
What services are provided by the program?	The ESL program integrates ESL instruction with subject matter, which focuses not only on learning English but also using that language to learn mathematics, science, social social studies. Teachers must be certified and trained in working with students whose home language is other than English. Students in fifth grade through twelfth grade are only offered ESL and it is available in prekindergarten through fourth grade. The ESL program is designed to meet the diverse needs of English learners by teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills at appropriate developmental and proficiency levels within a regular English classroom setting or in an ESL class in secondary. Students receive instruction primarily in academic language to ensure success in school with the focus on learning English.
How do students exit the program?	Texas has specific grade level exit requirements. For students in STAAR tested grades, students must pass the Reading STAAR in English, receive Advanced High in TELPAS Writing or pass STAAR writing if taken, and are fluent in English on the listening and speaking test.
For more information: Director of Special Programs Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net

What Parents Need to Know About ESL.pdf

Download file


		What Parents Need to Know About: CSI


What is CSI?	CSI, Challenging Scientific Investigations, is a Brenham ISD Initiative that provides an opportunity for 2nd - 6th Grade Gifted and Talented students to explore science and technology as they read, write, solve problems, conduct experiments and apply science to their daily lives. CSI provides: Excellent field experiences with hands-on, scientific research methods and labs Enhancement of technology standards with regional robotics tournaments Learning extensions that evolve with science and interests Empowers students to problem solve and discover solutions
Who qualifies for the program?	Brenham ISD screens students for the G/T program using a multi-criteria approach to selection with 3 phases of placement. G/T identification is based upon data collected from achievement tests, ability tests, parent and teacher observation surveys, and student products from Kingore Planned Experiences.
What services are provided by the program?	Students who participate in CSI attend once a week for half a day using technology and other STEM related activities to create innovative projects and research. Students make connections within lab investigations and independent research in order to relate discoveries to culminating field experiences. As students gain confidence when they face and overcome challenges, students leave knowing the importance of gracious professionalism.
How do students exit the program?	Parents must provide permission to have their child participate in the G/T programs. A student participating in the G/T program will remain in the program until he/she leaves the district, graduates from high school, or is furloughed (temporarily not receiving services) or exited from the G/T program.

For more information about screening: Director of Special Programs Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net

Click here to visit the CSI teacher webpage.

Download file

What Parents Need to Know About Dyslexia (English)

Talking Book Program

Student Resources for Reading Disability

Texas Dyslexia Handbook

Changes for Families to Understand Related to Dyslexia

Actualizacion del manual de dislexia 2021: CAMBIOS IMPORTANTES QUE LAS FAMILIAS DEBEN ENTENDER (texas.gov)


		What Parents Need to Know About: Dyslexia


What is Dyslexia?	Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and or fluent word recognition. Other characteristics may include poor spelling and decoding abilities.
Who qualifies for the program?	Brenham ISD follows the Texas Education Agency requirements that a 504 or ARD committee must determine if a student has dyslexia characteristics. A two-part model is used in making this determination. The first step is data gathering (performance in class, vision and hearing tests, progress on interventions, parent observations). The data is reviewed by the 504 or ARD committee to determine if a Dyslexia assessment is necessary and then parent permission is acquired for formal assessment. Formal assessment measures auditory, verbal, written, visual and reading tasks. Once the assessment is complete the 504 or ARD committee makes a recommendation,then parents are notified and an action plan is developed.
What services are provided by the program?	If a Dyslexia diagnosis is given, an instructional program will be offered in a small class setting which includes reading, writing and spelling instruction. Brenham ISD uses Basic Language Skill or Multisensory Reading and Spelling curriculum from the Neuhaus center for Dyslexia instruction. The elementary schools and middle school offer this as a pull out program and Brenham Junior High and Brenham High School offer it as a class.
How do students exit the program?	Dismissal from dyslexia services is determined by the 504 or ARD committee. The committee considers the following factors when recommending exiting dyslexia: completion of the program, parent request or passing the reading portion of the state assessment.
For more information about screening: Director of Special Programs Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net


What Parents Need to Know About: Gateway


What is the Gateway program?	Gateway is a fully immersed program for students in grades three through five who are identified as Gifted and Talented. Gateway is designed to build critical thinkers, problem solvers, and life-long learners by providing: A rigorous, non-traditional atmosphere suited for gifted and talented students Inquiry-based learning with student choice Outstanding learning experiences Leadership skills in the classroom, school, and community Collaborative learning that builds innovative thinking
Who qualifies for the program?	Brenham ISD screens students for the G/T program using a multi-criteria approach to selection with 3 phases of placement. G/T identification is based upon data collected from achievement tests, ability tests, parent and teacher observation surveys, and student products from Kingore Planned Experiences.
What services are provided by the program?	The Gateway Program is provided 5 days a week by certified teachers who receive specialized training for gifted and talented instruction. The teachers provide tailored content instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies with a wide variety of cross-curricular connections.
How do students exit the program?	Parents must provide permission to have their child participate in the G/T programs. A student participating in the G/T program will remain in the program until he/she leaves the district, graduates from high school, or is furloughed (temporarily not receiving services) or exited from the G/T program.
For more information about screening: Contact Peggy Still Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net

Download file

Gifted & Talented ▲
Informal Parent Checklist for Child's Learning Personality
Gifted and Talented Testing

Examenes Para Los Talentosos

K-12 students may participate in the GT nomination, assessment, screening and identification process. Brenham Independent School District will utilize multiple assessments to identify gifted and talented learners and their needs.

Steps for nomination into the Brenham ISD Gifted and Talented Education Program for the 2023-2024 school year:

Beginning November 29th, you may receive the Request for Screening Form and the Parent Checklist by picking up a hard copy from your child's campus counselor or Brenham ISD Central Administration Building.

The deadline to submit forms back to your child’s campus counselor is Friday, December 9, 2022.

Timeline for results of screening and identification process:
- Testing will begin on campuses the week of January 9th. Exact testing schedules will differ from campus to campus based on campus activities.

- Campus counselors and district personnel will meet March 3rd to review collected data and determine eligibility.

- Notification of the results will be received by mail. Letters will be mailed no later than March 10, 2023, for the 2023-2024 school year. If your child is accepted into the program, you will need to complete the parent permission form for your child to receive services in the Gifted and Talented program.

- Students identified and given parent permission will begin their first day in the Gifted and Talented program on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.

Brenham ISD is focused on providing a quality education for all students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your campus counselor or Peggy Still, Director of Instruction, at 979-277-3700.

Gifted and Talented Testing Parent Letter

Los estudiantes de K-12 pueden participar en el proceso de nominación, evaluación, selección e identificación de GT. El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Brenham utilizará múltiples evaluaciones para identificar a los estudiantes talentosos y sus necesidades.

Pasos para la nominación en el Programa de Educación para Talentosos de Brenham ISD para el año escolar 2023-2024:

A partir del 29 de Noviembre, puede recibir el Formulario de solicitud de evaluación y la verificación al recoger una copia impresa del consejero/a de la escuela de su hijo.

La fecha límite para enviar los formularios al consejero/a de la escuela de su hijo es el Viernes 9 de Diciembre de 2022.

Cronograma para los resultados del proceso de selección e identificación:
? Las pruebas comenzarán en los campus la semana del 9 de Enero. Los horarios exactos de las pruebas diferirá de un campus a otro según las actividades del campus.
? Los consejeros del campus y el personal del distrito se reunirán el 3 de Marzo para revisar los datos recopilados y determinar la elegibilidad.
? La notificación de los resultados se recibirá por correo.cartas se enviarán por correo a más tardar el 10 de Marzo de 2023 para el 2023-2024 . Si su hijo es aceptado en el programa, deberá completar el formulario de permiso de los padres para que su hijo reciba servicios en el programa.
? Los estudiantes identificados y con el permiso de los padres comenzarán su primer día en el programa el primer día del año escolar 2023-2024.

Brenham ISD se enfoca en proporcionar una educación de calidad para todos los estudiantes. Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse con el consejero/a de su campus o con Peggy Still, Directora de Instrucción, al 979-277-3700.

Exámenes Para Los Talentosos

Press ENTER key to focus on the active panel


		What Parents Need to Know About: AVID


What is AVID?	AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a program offered at BJHS and BHS that prepares students for college readiness and success in our global society. Students participate in the AVID elective course scheduled during the regular school day as a year long course who have the potential and desire to attend college. AVID has proven results with 88% of AVID participants applying to 4 year colleges and 90% being accepted.
Who qualifies for the program?	Students must apply for entry in the AVID program. The process includes, but is not limited to, a written application and an oral interview. Grades, STAAR/EOC scores, attendance, and behavior records are all reviewed as part of the process. Students who are selected agree to be placed in the AVID elective class as well as enroll in rigorous Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement courses; with rigor being determined for each individual student.
What services are provided by the program?	Each week, AVID students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum provided by the AVID-Center, tutor facilitated study groups, motivational activities that focus on exposure to collegiate and professional opportunities, and academic success skills. Students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth.
How do students exit the program?	The goal is for students to stay in AVID through his/her senior year and enroll and graduate from a four-year university. There are clear expectations of AVID students, which include maintaining a 75 or higher in Advanced classes, good attendance and behavior, willingness to work hard, and a being positive role model for other students. If a student is not meeting student expectations, he/she can be exited from the program.

For more information about screening: Director of Special Programs Brenham Independent School District (979) 277-3700 \| BrenhamISD.net