Gifted Program

Gifted Program Contacts

Jan Hansen, ED.S.
Coordinator of the Gifted Program
205 LaFayette Avenue
Fayetteville, Georgia 30214
hansen.janet@fcboe.org
Office: 770-460-3990 ext 1248

Cindy Wood
Administrative Assistant
Office: 770-460-3990 ext 1243
wood.cindy@fcboe.org

Fayette County Gifted Program Overview

The Gifted Program provides services for identified gifted students at all grade levels. Gifted services are designed to meet the specific academic needs of gifted students by emphasizing the following competencies:

Critical and creative thinking
Higher order reasoning
Extensive and advanced research skills
Advanced and accelerated academics
Knowledge of self

Parent Resources for Gifted Program

Common Characteristics and Traits of Gifted Individuals

Common Characteristics and Traits of Gifted Individuals

Because gifted children are so diverse, not all exhibit all characteristics all of the time. However, there are common characteristics that many gifted individuals share:

Unusual alertness, even in infancy
Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly
Excellent memory
Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age
Advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas
Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles
Often self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler
Deep, intense feelings and reactions
Highly sensitive
Thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful
Idealism and sense of justice at early age
Concern with social and political issues and injustices
Longer attention span and intense concentration
Preoccupied with own thoughts—daydreamer
Learn basic skills quickly and with little practice
Asks probing questions
Wide range of interests (or extreme focus in one area)
Highly developed curiosity
Interest in experimenting and doing things differently
Puts idea or things together that are not typical
Keen and/or unusual sense of humor
Desire to organize people/things through games or complex schemas
Vivid imaginations (and imaginary playmates when in preschool)

No gifted individual is exactly the same, each with his own unique patterns and traits. There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but no gifted learner exhibits traits in every area. This list of traits may help you better understand whether or not your child is gifted.

The requirements for identifying and placing students in the gifted program are governed by Georgia State Department of Education Rule 160-4-2-.38. Please contact your local school for specific information about available gifted program services.

Gifted Evaluation Process, Referral, Assessment, & Determination of Eligibility

All gifted assessments in the Fayette County School District adhere to the rules and regulations established by the Georgia Department of Education. There are three steps in the process of identification and placement of students into the gifted program: referral, assessment, and determination of eligibility.

Referral

The referral process is the first step of the gifted services eligibility process. A referral may come from teachers, parents, students, or as the result of system-wide testing. To refer a student for gifted testing, complete an Observation Notes Sheet for Gifted Referral and return it to the teacher of the gifted at the student’s assigned school.

Assessment

Students are assessed in four areas: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation. Instruments include nationally normed tests, rating scales, and other approved measures. All assessments comply with state rules and regulations. Once the assessment is completed, the data is evaluated for determination of eligibility.

Determination of Eligibility

Eligibility may be established in one of two ways:

Option A: The student must meet eligibility requirements in both Mental Abilities and Achievement:
- Mental Ability: 99th percentile (K-2) or 96th percentile (3-12) on a standardized test of mental ability - Composite Score only
- Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery
Option B: The student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas:
- Mental Ability: 96th percentile on a standardized test of mental ability –approved component or composite score
- Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery
- Creativity: 90th percentile / 90 percent on a creativity assessment or rating scale
- Motivation: 90th percentile / 90 percent on a motivation evaluation or rating scale, OR for grades 6-12 only, a GPA equivalent to a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale

Evaluation and Eligibility Chart

Georgia Department of Education

Rule 160-4-2-.38 Education Programs for Gifted Students

Evaluation and Eligibility Chart

In options A and B, information shall be gathered in each of the four categories.
At least one of the criteria must be met by a score on a GaDOE approved nationally normed reference test.
Any data used to establish eligibility in one category shall not be used to establish eligibility in another category.
If a rating scale is used to evaluate creativity, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate motivation. If a rating scale is used to evaluate motivation, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate creativity.
Any piece of information used to establish eligibility shall be current within two years.
Local school systems must establish policies in regards to the use of data gathered and analyzed by private entities.

Category	Option A Student must have a qualifying score in the mental ability AND achievement categories.	Option B Student must qualify in three of the four categories.
Mental Ability	Grades K-2 99th% percentile composite score on a nationally age normed mental ability test Grades 3-12 ≥96th percentile composite score on a nationally age normed mental ability test	Grades K- 12 ≥ 96th percentile composite on a nationally age normed mental ability tests OR 96th percentile on a component score on a nationally age normed mental ability tests (see pg. 27 of manual for add’l information)
Achievement	Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile Total Reading, Total Math, or Complete Battery on a nationally normed achievement test	Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile Total Reading, Total Math, or Complete Battery on a nationally normed achievement test Grades K – 12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators
Creativity	Evaluation data required	Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile on composite score on a nationally normed creativity test Grades K-12 Rating scales used to qualify student creativity must equate to the 90th percentile Grades K-12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators
Motivation	Evaluation data required	Grades 6-12 Two-year average of a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in regular core subject of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, science, and full year world languages (see page 30 of manual for add’l info.) Grades K-12 Rating scales used to qualify student motivation must equate to the 90th percentile Grades K – 12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators

Identification of gifted students shall be nondiscriminatory with respect to race, religion, national origin, gender, disabilities, or economic background.

Transfer Students

In-State Transfers: Any student who meets the eligibility criteria for gifted education services in Georgia is considered eligible to receive gifted education services in Fayette County upon verification of records.
Out-of-State Transfers: There is no mandated reciprocity between states for gifted eligibility. Outside data must be considered when determining eligibility but does not automatically supplant school-generated data.

Evaluation for Gifted will only be completed on students enrolled in and attending a Fayette County School. Private testing will not be considered for gifted placement; however, it might be used to refer a student for gifted testing.

Delivery Models

All schools may not offer all the options listed below - contact your local school for more information on course offerings and placement requirements.

In grades K-5, gifted students are served in a resource model, either for a full day or each day for an instructional block. The resource program features an interdisciplinary exploration built on significant thematic issues and the investigation of complex questions. Student tasks require critical thinking and problem solving, and the development of advanced research and communication skills. When not receiving resource services, gifted students receive differentiated instruction geared to challenge their specific instructional needs.

In grades 6—12, gifted students study in specific academic areas of interest and expertise. All gifted classes are taught by teachers who are specialists in their thinking skills. In some cases, summer reading is also a required part of the program.

Continuation in the Gifted Program

Elementary Schools

A student’s performance in gifted classes is reviewed at the end of each semester, or earlier if difficulties arise. Continuation in the Gifted Program in Fayette County requires the student to meet specific performance criteria, which include active participation, completion of assignments, and maintaining an average of 80 or better in the gifted classroom. If a student does not meet these requirements, they enter a probationary period, remaining in the gifted placement for the next 18-week semester. Failure to meet performance requirements during the probationary period will result in the student being declared ineligible for gifted services for the following 18-week semester. The student may regain placement in the Gifted Program after fulfilling all continuation requirements in the regular education program, with re-entry possible only at the beginning of the next 18-week semester. Parents are notified in writing at the end of each semester regarding any changes in placement status.

Secondary Schools

A student’s performance in all gifted classes is reviewed at the end of each semester, or earlier if difficulties arise. Continuation in the Gifted Program in Fayette County requires the student to meet specific performance criteria, including active participation, completion of assignments, and maintaining an average of 80 or better in each gifted class and/or a 70 or better in each Advanced Placement or accelerated course. If a student does not meet these performance requirements in a gifted class, they will be placed on probation for that department’s gifted courses during the following semester. Failure to meet the performance requirements in the same academic area for two consecutive semesters will result in the student being declared ineligible for gifted courses in that department for the entirety of the following semester, and they will be placed in a non-gifted core course in the same academic area. The student may regain placement in that department’s gifted program after meeting all continuation requirements, with re-entry possible only at the beginning of the next 18-week semester. The student may remain in other gifted classes as long as all continuation requirements are met.

Parents are notified in writing at the end of each semester of changes in placement status.