Gifted Program

Referral, Assessment, and Eligibility

Referral

The referral process is the first step for entrance into the gifted program. A referral may come from teachers, parents, students, or as a result of system wide testing. Referrals are brought before a Gifted Eligibility team who determines who will be evaluated for gifted placement. A referral for gifted evaluation is not a guarantee of eligibility testing. The eligibility team will examine a number of artifacts and evidence and will make a decision based on those items.

Assessment

Students are evaluated in four areas: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation. Assessment instruments include nationally normed tests, rating scales, and other approved assessment measures. All assessments comply with state rules and regulations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for gifted services, students can qualify in one of two ways.

1. Option A. Two qualifying areas of psychometric measure:
   • Mental Ability: Composite score on a nationally age normed mental ability test at or above 96th percentile for grades 3-12 or 99th percentile for grades K-2; and
   • Achievement: Total Reading, Total Mathematics, or Complete Battery on a nationally normed achievement test at or above the 90th percentile for grades K-12.
      
2. Option B. Multiple Criteria Approach: The student may qualify by meeting the qualifications in any three of the four areas. At least one of the criteria must be met by a score on a nationally- normed referenced test.

Transfer Students

• In State Transfers: Any student who meets the eligibility criteria for gifted education services is considered eligible to receive gifted education services in Barrow County upon verification of records.
• Out of State Transfers: There is no mandated reciprocity between states for gifted eligibility. Students who transfer from other states’ gifted programs must meet Georgia eligibility requirements before services can be provided. Previous assessment data will be considered if the test results are less than two years old.
• Military Dependent Transfers: When a student transfers in who is a dependent of active duty military personnel, and identify themselves as gifted, the student will receive services and will begin the eligibility process for Barrow County Schools.

BCSS Acceleration Consideration and Guidance

Although rare, a student may be referred for single-subject or whole-grade acceleration as a delivery option to meet the instructional needs of an extremely advanced student. The following factors are critical to successful single-subject or whole-grade acceleration: academic ability, aptitude, achievement, developmental factors/interpersonal skills, attitude and support. Decisions regarding acceleration are to be determined by the instructional needs of the student. Oversight and implementation of the acceleration process rests with the local school administration and the district gifted program coordinator.

A formal written request for consideration of acceleration may be initiated by a parent or guardian, teacher, counselor, or local school administrator utilizing the Acceleration Placement Request Form. The Acceleration Request Form must be received by the school principal by Dec. 20th in order to initiate this process for the following school year.