Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What is LEAP [Learning Enrichment Academic Program?
LEAP is a program for the potentially gifted and talented student in the area of general intellectual ability.Back to Top
There are many kinds of giftedness but the LEAP program only identifies and serves children demonstrating giftedness revealed by learning- potential tests, achievement tests, and observed characteristicsBack to Top
6 of the 8 indicators collected on the student must fall at the 96th percentile or above on objective, standardized tests designed to measure learning potential and achievement and on subjective measures (observation).Back to Top
Elementary: If you give permission to test, your child will be pulled out of the regular classroom at times set by the teacher and the campus LEAP facilitator(see Documents section of website for OSE Testing schedule). It will take a total of approximately 4-6 hours to complete all of the tests. Testing will not be conducted all at one time and will be carried out in no more than one-hour segments. Secondary: Testing may be conducted at the student�s school. Testing is also periodically scheduled at a central site for interested students. Contact the office of Advanced Academic Programs for those dates.Back to Top
When and how is the decision about placement made?
After the tests are complete, the facilitator will compile a data sheet (profile). She/he will then send the information through a district screening committee for placement or non-placement recommendation based on the criteria explained above.Back to Top
The facilitator on each campus is also a full-time teacher. Testing is secondary to the teacher's classroom responsibilities. After the facilitator has received the completed referral folder, it will take several weeks to do the testing. Then the student data must go through a district screening committee that meets once every six weeks.Back to Top
If recommended, when will my child be served?
You will receive a letter informing you of the committee decision. Then you will receive a permission to serve form and a parent handbook. As soon as the permission to serve form is returned, your child will be scheduled to come to LEAP classes with other students from their grade level.Back to Top
How would my child be served in the elementary program?
The elementary LEAP program is a pullout program in the Lewisville school district. This means your child will be �pulled out� of their classroom at a scheduled time each week. Students will be pulled from one to seven hours per week, depending on their grade level. Students are not missing instruction in the regular classroom.Back to Top
What do they do in the LEAP class?
LEAP is a thinking skills program. It is not an acceleration program. The students have lessons and activities that are designed to nurture and build the potential they have demonstrated. The four major goals of the LEAP program are: 1. to be aware of the student�s own unique potential and learning style in order to develop abilities for the betterment of self and society; 2. to utilize higher level thinking skills that develop intellectual curiosity and critical, creative, and productive thinking; 3. to understand and apply the problem-solving process in a cooperative group setting through analysis and evaluation of real-life situations; and, 4. to develop advanced reference skills for using multiple concepts and resources in synthesizing an elaborate product.Back to Top
Is there anything done for an identified child in the regular classroom?
The LEAP program provides materials, cluster teacher training, and information for the regular classroom teachers to assist them in providing a differentiated curriculum. It is each classroom teacher�s responsibility to meet the individual academic needs of the g/t child in his/her classroom.Back to Top
How would my child be served in the secondary program?
Middle School: All identified LEAP students, grades 6 � 8, will be enrolled in a self-contained homogeneously grouped LEAP class per grade level. This class will be identified as LEAP. The class period may not be scheduled for a time less than any other core curricular class. The student does not miss any other class while in the LEAP class. Pre-AP courses are available to meet the needs of the g/t students in all core areas. High School: Identified students will be served at all grade levels. 9th grade students take World Studies I (World Geography and English); 10th graders take World Studies II (World History and English); 11th graders take United States Studies (US History and English); 12th graders are enrolled in British Studies. The 9th and 10th grade classes are pre-AP courses and the 11th and 12th grade classes are AP courses. This provides students the opportunity to prepare for and earn college credit through the Advanced Placement exams. (See the campus course description guide for complete description.)Back to Top
Whom do I contact if I have further questions?
You may contact the LEAP facilitator at your child�s school or the Director of Advanced Academic Programs at 469-948-8046.Back to Top
Can Kindergarteners qualify for LEAP?
Kindergarteners may not test until Spring of the school year. They must also qualify with 6 out of 8 indicators and provisional placement is not an option.Back to Top
Is there a Testing Schedule at Old Settlers?
Yes, beginning in fall 2009-2010, the testing schedule for referrals is as follows: 1st 6 weeks- 3rd, 4th, 5th grade 2nd 6 weeks-1st,2nd grade 3rd 6 weeks-3rd,4th,5th 4th 6 weeks-1st,2nd,Kinder (Feb. 5 referrals for Kinder accepted) 5th 6 weeks-3rd,4th 6th 6 weeks- K,1st,2nd. and 5th (testing for middle school in late April)Back to Top