Target Expectations

In Cobb County, the Gifted Program Curriculum is said to be "differentiated." This means that students are involved in activities which are more advanced, more mature, more sophisticated, and more complex in three areas: content, process, and expectations. The content is often multi-disciplined, designed not only to broaden a child's base of general knowledge, but also to enhance the child's ability to think productively and creatively. Our curriculum is process-based, not content-based. Because the content and processes are more advanced and complex, the expectations for performance are higher. Target students are expected to perform in a more sophisticated, advanced, and complex manner. Their products should be more elaborate, better conceived and executed, more creative, more detailed and intricate, and in general, superior to those produced in the regular classroom. Ozzie Smith, former shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, was once quoted after losing a play-off game as saying, "Good is not good enough when better is expected." With the Target students, "good" isn't sufficient. When gifted students are measured by different standards or by a different yardstick of excellence, expectations are higher, and better is expected.

Cobb's gifted program is funded by the state. The procedures for identifying and placing students in the program are governed by the Georgia State Department of Education. In December 1995, the Department of Education adopted new rules and regulations for gifted services in the state of Georgia. These new rules and regulations became effective January 1, 1997. Under these new rules, the eligibility criteria was broadened to include the areas of creativity and motivation in addition to mental Abilities and achievement.