Frequently Asked Questions About Gifted Education

• How are gifted students identified?
• How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?
• What special programs are offered for gifted students?
• If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he/she be eligible for gifted program placement in Georgia?
• What are the certification requirements for a teacher of gifted students?

How are gifted students identified?

The definition of students eligible for gifted education services in Georgia may be found in State Board of Education (SBOE) 160-4-2-.38 EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR GIFTED STUDENTS [Code IDDD(2)]:

Gifted Student - a student who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities. (SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38, p. 1)

The eligibility criteria for gifted program placement are also provided in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The Rule describes the four categories for assessment (mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation) and the performance standards that must be achieved in each for a student to become eligible for gifted education services. Once a youngster has been assessed in all four data categories, there are two ways eligibility can be established:

Option 1, the Psychometric Approach:

The student may qualify on the basis of mental ability and achievement assessment results only (regardless of the assessment results in creativity and motivation). In this case the mental ability test score must be a composite or full-scale score. The composite score must be at the 99th percentile for students in grades K-2. The composite score may be at the 96th percentile or higher for students in grades 3-12. In addition, students (grades K-12) must meet at least one of the achievement standards described in the SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38: 90th percentile Total Reading, 90th percentile Total Math, 90th percentile total achievement test battery, or superior product/performance assessment. No student may qualify on the basis of a mental ability test score alone.

Option 2, the Multiple-Criteria Approach:

The student may qualify by meeting the standards in any three of the four data categories, at least one of which must be on a nationally-normed standardized test. Component scores (e.g., Nonverbal Ability), as well as full scale scores, may be used in the area of mental ability. However, component scores must meet the criteria specified in the Gifted Education Regulations (Pages 7-13).

We believe that these abilities (mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation) may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, thus there are assessment options in each of the data categories. We are also committed to the belief that gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, or nationality.

How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?

Nominations are often made by classroom teachers; however, any responsible person who has knowledge of a student’s intellectual functioning may nominate that student for further consideration. Additionally, an automatic referral procedure is described in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. Each local board of education must establish a score on systemwide norm-referenced test results as the automatic referral level. Students scoring at or above this level are automatically considered. For specific information on the nomination procedures (e.g., forms to be completed, schedule for testing, etc.), parents and educators should contact a gifted program teacher or the gifted program coordinator in the local school system.

What special programs are offered for gifted students?

The State Board of Education requires and authorizes each local board of education to develop curriculum for their gifted students in grades K-12, following the guidelines in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The approved delivery models for gifted education services are described in the Gifted Education Regulations (Pages 7-13), but the exact nature of those services is always decided at the local level. To find out more about specific program offerings for gifted students, parents and educators should contact the gifted program coordinator in the local school system.

The GADOE web page is a rich source of information on school systems and individual schools in Georgia. Under the Report Card section , you will be able to compare a number of variables for all the schools in your area. Many local school systems also have their own web pages linked to the Georgia DOE page. Those sites may be a good way to learn about specific programs of interest. For example, some systems offer magnet programs for gifted and talented students; some offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum and diploma program.

There are many other opportunities for advanced learning experiences for gifted children in addition to the gifted programs offered through Georgia's public schools. The GA DOE web site has information about The Governor's Honors Program and a number of scholarship opportunities for gifted students. Both the Georgia Association for Gifted Children and the National Association for Gifted Children provide information about extracurricular programs on their web pages.

The State University of West Georgia and Middle Georgia College offer residential programs where gifted high school students may complete their high school graduation requirements and college coursework at the same time. Georgia State University provides Saturday and summer enrichment programs for high ability students.

If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he/she be eligible for gifted program placement in Georgia?

There is no reciprocal eligibility from state to state, as each state establishes its own definition of giftedness and its own rules governing gifted education services. However, many states' definitions are similar, so we hope to be able to establish transferring students’ eligibility for gifted program placement here in GA with little or no additional testing. The most expedient way to nominate an out-of-state transfer for possible gifted program placement is to collect all assessment data and present those assessment results to the gifted program teacher at the student’s new school or to the district's gifted program coordinator at the time of registration. Helpful documents might include: original eligibility reports, recent standardized test scores, work samples, and recommendations from current teachers. Gifted program personnel in the receiving school system can then evaluate the types of tests that were given, the dates of those tests, etc., and determine what additional testing (if any) may be required to determine eligibility under the Georgia guidelines. By providing that information at the time of registration, parents can help us avoid delays in getting gifted students appropriately placed. We welcome parental referrals for consideration.

What are the certification requirements for a teacher of gifted students?

Teachers of gifted students must meet the training requirements described in the Gifted Education Regulations (Pages 7-13, Regulations of Delivery Models). The Gifted Education Endorsement may be added to a professional teaching certificate by successfully completing a program of study that has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). Georgia PSC Rule 505-2-.107 describes the Gifted In-Field Endorsement. Approved endorsement programs are also listed on the PSC Web site.