Administrative
ProceduresProgram for the Gifted
Clinch County Schools
The Georgia State Board of Education passed rule 160-4-2-.38 Education Program for Gifted Students [Code IDDD(2)] allowing the use of multiple criteria in identifying and placing a student into Gifted Education. The guidelines in this manual reflect the current rules and regulations set up by the state and the Clinch County Board of Education to maintain and effectively meet the needs of gifted learners. Any guidelines previous to this rule are void. If you have any questions or concerns about placement of gifted students, you are encouraged to call or email the gifted education office before placing the student.
Teachers, administrators, parents, counselors, peers, self, and others may refer a student for consideration. Those nominating simply contact the gifted resource teacher and supply the name of the student they are nominating. The gifted resource teacher handles the gathering of all appropriate information to present to the gifted eligibility team committee for student consideration.
Private student data collected from outside sources will be considered as a referral for further testing. The student must meet the requirements set up by the state and the Clinch County School System.
A student may be referred or nominated at any time, however testing will occur at the end of the school year. Automatic Referral is based on CRCT results for grades 2, 4, and 6. CRCT scores are used only for referral for testing; they may not be used as a qualifying measure into the Gifted Education program. Automatic referral for Grades 3 and 5 will be based on ITBS results. Exceptions will be made on recommendation of the system-wide appeals process. The gifted resource teacher will monitor student performance and achievement in collaboration with the regular teachers for each potential student for nomination/referral.
Within the State of Georgia
In the case that a qualified gifted student from within the state of Georgia transfers into the Clinch County School System, the school records clerk will initiate the referral process by notifying the teacher of the gifted. The student will begin gifted services only after former school records have been received and reviewed. Parental permission must be secured before student begins participation.
In the event that records review indicates the student has been mistakenly placed in gifted services, a conference with the parent will be scheduled immediately. The student records and state guidelines will be reviewed at the conference. The parent has the option to refer the student for gifted testing. If a situation of this nature occurs at a time other than the regularly scheduled fall and spring testing, the parent will be encouraged to follow the system-wide appeals process.
Out-of-State Students
A student served by the gifted program in schools out-of-state is also immediately referred for consideration. Georgia state requirements, however, must be met in order for the student to receive services within the state of Georgia.
Parents are encouraged to share information about the student who will receive gifted services when they enroll their child.
In grades 3 and 5, the student is automatically referred for testing when the student scores 90% or above on the total math or total reading, or total composite on the state approved norm-referenced skills test. The student should also score a minimum of 80% on the total composite if the above criteria are met in areas of reading and/or math. Students in grades 2, 4, and 6 who score in the top 5% on the Georgia Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT) in reading and/or math are also automatically referred for gifted testing. CRCT results, however, are not used to qualify.
Before additional testing is conducted, parental notification and permission will be obtained. Additional testing is that which is conducted to further determine the needs of the individual. This testing does not include achievement tests or mental ability tests customarily given by the school at designated grade levels.
The student is initially eligible to participate in gifted education services as stated in Georgia rule 160-4-2-.38 by meeting the state mandated criteria explained below.
Option 1: The student must score 99th %ile (K-2) or 96th %ile (3-12) on the composite full-scale score of a standardized mental ability test AND meet one of the achievement criteria. No student qualifies based on mental ability testing alone.
Option 2: The student must meet the criteria specified in the multiple-criteria assessment process detailed below.
Multiple Criteria
A student must meet any three of the following four areas.
1. Mental ability (Option 2)
A student in grades K-12 must make 96 %ile (by age) on the composite score or appropriate component score. Component scores can only be used with multiple criteria (Option 2) and must meet additional criteria stated in the Resource Manual for Gifted Education Services Appendix A (p. 2).
2. Achievement
A student must score greater than or equal to the 90th percentile (by age or grade) on a state adopted or other appropriate standardized Test of Academic Achievement in one of the following areas:
Total Reading
Total Math
Total Battery
3. Creativity
A student must score greater than or equal to the 90th %ile (by age) on the total battery of a standardized creativity test. The Clinch County School System uses the norm-referenced Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT).
4. Motivation
A student in grades 4-12 may meet eligibility by scoring 90th percentile on a standardized motivational characteristics rating scale. The Clinch County School System uses the norm-referenced Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Instrument (CAIMI).
A student in grades 2-3 may meet eligibility by scoring 90th percentile on a locally normed motivational characteristics rating scale. The Clinch County School System uses the Young Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Instrument (YCAIMI) which is locally normed.
Information will be collected in all four data categories. One criterion MUST be met using a score from a nationally normed standardized test. Any data used in one category to establish a student’s eligibility may not be used in any other category. Assessment data must be current within two years.
If students meet Option 1 criteria, data in other areas still must be collected. Each student evaluated must have data in all four areas!
Eligibility Status
Parents will be notified of eligibility/ineligibility status. Parents will be given an opportunity for conferencing. Parental permission will be requested for the student to participate in gifted education.
Testing Instruments
Clinch County School System uses the norm-referenced InView for determining mental ability and establishes that any student who scores at or above the 90th percentile, 2 Standard Errors or Measurement (SEM), on the InView shall be given the opportunity for additional testing. This retesting allows for the standard error of measurement found on mental ability tests. If the student scores again within 2 SEMs, the student will be eligible for testing again during the next testing period. To ensure the best interest and well being of the student, a conference with the parent(s), the student and the gifted endorsed teacher will be conducted before any further testing resumes.
The Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) and Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) are used for additional testing. If a student scores within 2 SEMs on the InView in the verbal area, the Otis Lennon will be given. If the student scores within 2 SEMs in the non-verbal area, the Naglieri will be given.
The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-9) nationally normed scores are used for meeting the criteria for eligibility in achievement. If a nationally normed achievement test score is not available, an appropriate achievement test will be administered. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is available for administration in grades 2, 4, 6 and 7.
The norm-referenced Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) is used to determine eligibility in the area of creativity.
In the area of motivation, the Clinch County School System uses the Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (CAIMI) for grades 4-8 to determine eligibility. This is a nationally normed testing instrument. For grades 1-3, the Young Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (YCAIMI) is locally normed and used for eligibility purposes.
In the event a student does not meet mental ability AND achievement criteria for placement in the gifted education program, a motivation and creativity checklist will be given to the student's regular education teacher for completion. These documents will be kept on file. No formal assessments will be administered in these areas at this time.
All test scores are valid for 2 years.
Probation
Grades of gifted education participants are evaluated at the end of each nine weeks. Any student in grades 2-7 who does not maintain an overall B average* or above in all core subjects or any student who fails any core subject within a nine weeks period will be placed on probation for the remainder of the semester. Likewise, any student who is not performing satisfactorily in the gifted class will be placed on the same probationary period. Probationary status expires at the end of the current semester.
If a student is placed on probation after the 4th nine weeks, he/she will begin the next school year on probation and will remain on probation until the end of the first semester.
A student in grades 8-12 can participate in gifted education based on the semester average. The student must maintain an overall B average or above with no failing grade in core subjects.
A failing grade in any core subject (math, reading, science, social studies, language arts) automatically places any student on probation.
*Overall B average refers to average of core subjects not an 80 or above in each core subject.
Withdrawal
A student who is placed on probation will remain on probation for the remainder of the semester. If during that semester, the student does not make an 80 average in all core subjects or fails any core subject for a grading period, he/she is placed out of the program for the remainder of the year.
The student may appeal withdrawal status to the school principal and gifted eligibility team if the low grades are the result of a death, serious illness, or uncontrollable incident within his/her immediate family.
At any time, a parent may request that the student no longer receive gifted services.
Re-entry
A student may re-enter the program at the beginning of the next school year by maintaining an overall B average or above from the current year. If a student’s withdrawal occurs during any 5th or 6th six weeks, the student must maintain an overall B average or above with no failing grades in core subjects for the first semester of the following year.
Retesting for mental ability and creativity is not required.
Make-up Work Policy
The Georgia State Department of Education has established regulations regarding the identification of gifted students and services provided to meet their needs. Students placed in the gifted program have met criteria established by state regulations. In order to provide differentiated instruction appropriate for gifted students as mandated, it is necessary to schedule these students to spend a portion of the week in classes with the gifted program instructor(s) and their gifted peers. This scheduling arrangement will at times result in expecting students to do assignments beyond that necessary in regular education classes to demonstrate mastery of a skill or concept. Due to the unique nature of the gifted program and the workload that gifted students will be expected to carry, the following procedures are to be observed:
Gifted students are to be held responsible for mastery of all regular subject materials. However, gifted students are to be excused from daily homework assignments given while attending gifted classes. Major assignments that students miss due to attendance in a gifted class will be made up at a time convenient for the classroom teacher and the student.
Participating in the gifted program is neither a reward nor a punishment, but it is part of the student’s education program. Application of this policy regarding make-up work should reflect this concept.
Gifted Eligibility Team
The Clinch County School System Gifted Eligibility Team promotes the education of gifted students. The Gifted Eligibility Team consists of the Assistant Superintendent, Instruction; the gifted program teacher; and teacher volunteers. The school principal is also included if necessary. The team will review data of the student recommended for testing. Data for review could include: checklists; sample portfolios; grades from previous 2 years; standardized test scores from previous two years, and other such appropriate data.
This team conducts an annual review of each gifted student and recommends students for continuation of gifted services. Students who are not recommended for continuation will be those who have not met state and locally adopted standards for continuation and have previously been placed on a period of probation.
Any other appropriate matters concerning gifted education and the gifted student are also brought before this committee. The school principal and other appropriate personnel may be part of the committee when deemed necessary. The Gifted Eligibility Team meets once a year at the end of second semester unless a situation arises during the school year that would require the convening of this committee.
Updated 8/23/07