Irvin School of Education | Department of Educational Studies | Threshold

Threshold courses are designed to provide challenge and enrichment for students whose abilities enable them to benefit from experience beyond those provided by the regular school program. 

Qualified students may choose to attend Threshold Session I and/or Session II.  To maximize individual learning experiences, classes have a limit of twelve to twenty students.  Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from Hardin-Simmons University.

QUALIFICATION FOR NOMINATION

Once a student attends Threshold, provided it was not a conditional basis, it is not necessary to re-demonstrate qualification. Qualification is based on test data either from the school district or from HSU testing and the Recommendation Form. New and previously conditional students must possess demonstrated achievement and/or potential ability at the 90th percentile or above in: (a) intellectual ability, (b) academic achievement, (c) creativity, and/or (d) leadership.

GIFTED TESTING

Students who did not attend Threshold in 2007 must provide a completed recommendation and application form and test results from identification screening (for the student's local GT program) to verify the student's qualifications.  Test scores are not required at the time of application but must be received by April 25, 2008 or class placement may be affected.  Test scores from the 2006-2007 or 2007-2008 school years are acceptable. YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TEST DATA THAT INDICATES THE STUDENT'S EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY, e.g., IQ or Ability tests.  (Readiness and TAKS test data are NOT applicable.)  If test data is not available, HSU does provide intelligence testing services.  The fee is $40.00 and the screening takes approximately one hour.  Testing will be offered on an individual basis. To schedule testing, please call (325) 671-2150. Students who attended Threshold 2006 or 2007 need only to provide a completed application form and tuition for enrollment.

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION AND FORMS

Students may enroll for any of the Threshold programs by mailing the following forms along with appropriate tuition:

• APPLICATION FORM, completed, (with attached parent seminar information and $5 parent seminar fee for those parents attending any parent seminar sessions).

• CLASS SELECTIONS FORM, completed with class preferences (for 6-10th grades only).

• RECOMMENDATION FORM, completed if required, for new students only, along with test data.

For best chance of placement, the forms should be mailed (postmarked) by April 25, 2008.  Class size is limited.  Placement will be determined by earliest postmark and qualifications.  Notifications of acceptance and placement will be mailed by May 23, 2008.