What is PACE?
PACE stands for Plano Academic and Creative Education and is the cornerstone of the district's gifted and talented education program and serves students in kindergarten through graduation. Students may join at any grade level. PACE is more than a course; it is a motivating and challenging experience that lasts over multiple years of a student's education. The PACE program provides an invigorating, creative, and rigorous learning environment to nurture the unique academic and social - emotional needs of students requiring gifted and talented services.
The PACE program focuses on gifted academic experiences and personal development. Although many PACE students also possess artistic or musical talent, courses exist outside of the PACE program for students talented in speech, the performing arts, and/or the visual arts.
The PACE program focuses on gifted academic experiences and personal development. Although many PACE students also possess artistic or musical talent, courses exist outside of the PACE program for students talented in speech, the performing arts, and/or the visual arts.
How Do Students Participate in PACE?
Students participate in PACE based upon the results of standardized tests and observation / performance in the classroom. Parents, teachers, and/or students may make referrals for PACE assessment by completing the appropriate grade level referral packet (below) and returning it to the campus Gifted Specialist by the stated deadline. No referral is declined unless it is unsigned by a parent or submitted after the published deadline. Kindergarten students are assessed in January/February for services beginning in March. Students in first through eighth grade are assessed in the spring for participation the following fall. High school students are assessed at the start of each school year for immediate participation.