Advanced Academics

The goal of Gifted and Talented (GT) education at Wichita Falls ISD is to help students create advanced-level, innovative products and performances that showcase their individuality and creativity. Students achieve this through a variety of programs and services offered across grades K–12.

For additional information, check out the Wichita Falls ISD Gifted & Talented Program Guide.

Parents can nominate students for the G/T program from December 19, 2025 - January 31, 2026, during the 2025-2026 school year. If your student has already qualified for G/T, you don't need to reapply.

gifted and talented nomination form

After nominations, GT testing will occur in the spring, at each student's home campus during the Spring 2026.

• Kindergarten: Paper tests
• Grades 1-11: Online (computer) testing

WFISD uses the CogAT test. Students in Kindergarten take a paper test, but those in grades 1-11 take an online version.  

The CogAT has three sections: Verbal (words and vocabulary), Quantitative (counting, patterns, and math facts), and Nonverbal (picture puzzles). To see what the questions look like, try an internet search for "CogAT sample items." But be careful! Some "practice" sites don't match the quality of the real test.

After testing is complete, students and parents will be notified of placement. These results will be sent to schools and families on/around the middle of April.

GIFTED AND TALENTED NOMINATION FORM

In partnership with Vernon College and Midwestern State University Texas, WFISD offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to enroll in dual credit courses. These courses count toward both high school graduation requirements and college credit, giving students a head start on their postsecondary goals. Because WFISD subsidizes the cost of each dual credit course, this program is an affordable and valuable option for college-bound students.

If you were unable to attend the recent meeting, please watch the video below and complete the accompanying survey.

Before enrolling in dual credit courses, students must demonstrate college readiness by passing the TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2).

Preparation materials and additional information are available through the official Texas website linked below, as well as additional tutorials that include guidance on using the built-in calculator during the exam.

TSIA2 Resources 

Accuplacer student portal

Dual Credit Guidebook 2025-2026

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vernon College

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Midwestern (MSU Texas)

Credit by Exam (CBE) allows students to earn course credit or skip grade levels by demonstrating mastery on standardized tests.

• Elementary/Middle (Grades K-8): CBE can be used to skip grade levels. Students must take four tests—Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies—and earn a score of 80 or higher on each.

• Secondary (Grades 7-12): CBE is used to earn credit for specific courses. When applicable, students must take exams for both the first and second semesters and earn a score of 80 or higher on each exam.

Per District policy EHDC, Wichita Falls ISD can use locally developed assessments for students to place out of the Spanish I course, as long as these exams are approved by the District’s Curriculum office. The guidelines are described below. 

• Who: Students who start Spanish I with some proficiency in the language (such as native speakers)
• What: Take a test over Spanish I curriculum and skills
• Why: Potentially to advance to the next level (Spanish II) of the language course 
• How: On a student’s behalf, the teacher should request a placement exam from the District’s Curriculum office. The exam will be administered by the District director of bilingualism / LOTE. Once the exam is scored, results will be communicated to the student’s counselor.
• When: The process should be completed within 10 instructional days, during the fall semester only, beginning in the fall of 2022.
• Format: The test will have components that require reading, writing, listening and speaking in Spanish. The test will be patterned after the exam for credit for Spanish I (2nd semester) created by UT High School, which can be found here: https://utexas.app.box.com/v/uths-span1-B
• Grading: A score of 80 or better is required for a student to place out of Spanish I. The student’s score will be recorded on the transcript as the grades for both semesters of Spanish I. These grades will be coded as “E” (for credit earned through exam). For GPA purposes, credits earned in this way are designated as “regular” courses --not “honors.”

Tests can be taken in one of four windows of time. (See below.)

During the school year, we arrange for students to take these CBE tests at their home campus during the school day.  (Target windows: Beginning of year, Fall, Spring)

During summer, arrangements will be made for the student to test at the WFISD Education Center, 1104 Broad Street. (Target window: June-July)

Note: We try NOT to administer tests in August or January.

In most cases, our District uses exams from the University of Texas.  Find review sheets and study guides linked below.
UT CBE Study Guides

In some cases, we may use exams from Texas Tech. Their resource page can be found by [clicking here].

request credit by exam