1 SPRING 2014 BY: MRS. AMBER STEWART GIFTED COORDINATOR & INSTRUCTOR

Title – Datepage 2 TONIGHT’S OBJECTIVE: PARENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW SCHOLARS ARE IDENTIFIED AND SERVED BY DESCRIBING GIFTED LEARNERS’ CHARACTERISTICS, THE REFERRAL AND TESTING PROCESS, AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY STRIVE AND VISION. FALL

Title – Datepage 3 3 Agenda: Introduction (2) Characteristics of Gifted Learners (3) Gifted Program Purpose and Plan (5) Referral & Identification Process (5) Testing Products and Procedures(10) Questions (5)

Title – Datepage 4 ABOUT ME… AMBER STEWART 4 *Graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in French– NU is currently undefeated GO WILDCATS!!! *Worked with Teach for America *Earned teacher certification through Georgia State University *Has worked in education for six years *Entering fourth year at KIPP: *Excited to have the opportunity to serve gifted learners this year at STRIVE and VISION! *Husband and I just had our first child- an amazing baby boy named Easton Nathanael on June 9, 2013!

Title – Datepage 5 5 Agenda: Introduction (2) Characteristics of Gifted Learners (3) Gifted Program Purpose and Plan (5) Referral & Identification Process (5) Testing Products and Procedures(10) Questions (5)

Gifted Interest Meeting– July 24, 2012page 6 “The GaDOE describes a gifted student as one 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 need special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities. The abilities manifest in a collection of traits, aptitudes and behaviors that, when taken together, are indicative of gifted potential.” GIFTED EDUCATION OVERVIEW- CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED LEARNERS FALL

Title – Datepage 7 7 Agenda: Introduction (2) Characteristics of Gifted Learners (3) Gifted Program Purpose and Plan (5) Referral & Identification Process (5) Testing Products and Procedures(10) Questions (5)

FALL RAFFLE!!!!!!

Gifted Interest Meeting– July 24, 2012page 9 A gifted education program is one in which a gifted coordinator develops “courses of study in which the content, teaching strategies, and expectations of student mastery have been adjusted to be appropriate for gifted students.” (GA Department of Education) Within the gifted education program, “student instruction is based on the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). Instruction in gifted classes and collaborative settings will differentiate the curriculum for students according to Gifted Performance Standards:  Advanced Critical Thinking  Advanced Communication Skills  Advanced Research Skills  Creative Problem Solving The difference is not in what is taught but how it is taught. Students will have opportunities to think more in depth, critically, and creatively about the content. They will practice advanced research skills which will ultimately prepare them for advanced independent learning at the high school and college levels. “ GIFTED EDUCATION OVERVIEW- PURPOSE OF PROGRAM 9

FALL GIFTED PROGRAM PLAN OF INSTRUCTION Services vary slightly depending on the specific school site but are generally as follows: o Enrichment & Advisement (as available)- o Spelling bee o Special Interest Weekend/ summer/ school break opportunities o Mentoring and Internship Opportunities o Gifted Coordinator office hours available on Mondays and Fridays for scholar advisement sessions o Direct Instruction- Classes taught by gifted coordinator. o Grades 5-8 at VISION o Grades 5-6 at STRIVE o Collaboration- Classes taught by general education teacher but planned with gifted coordinator. o Grades 5-8 in various science, math, social studies and ELA classes at both STRIVE and VISION

Once identified as gifted, scholars remain in the gifted program and do not need to be re-tested. “ If a student shows signs of difficulty in any gifted class, a parent conference will take place to discuss interventions and continuation options. Furthermore, students failing to maintain a B average in the gifted class will be placed on probation for a minimum period of three months. Not improving the areas of concern during the probation period could result in a discontinuation of gifted services.” -from APS website Reciprocity Continuation Policy FALL GIFTED PROGRAM CONTINUATION POLICY

Title – Datepage Agenda: Introduction (2) Characteristics of Gifted Learners (3) Gifted Program Purpose and Plan (5) Referral & Identification Process (5) Testing Products and Procedures(10) Questions (5)

Referral Process 13 How is my scholar referred for gifted testing and placement in the gifted program? FallWinter/Spring Data-Driven referral compiled by Gifted CoordinatorParent/Teacher/Self-Reporting (Active now until December 13 th ) Automatic Referral: Students, who score at specified levels on a norm referenced test, shall be considered automatically for further assessment to determine eligibility for gifted program services. Reported Referral: A student may be referred for consideration for gifted educational services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self and/or other individuals with knowledge of student’s abilities. If you are a parent or guardian and would like to refer your child for gifted services, please obtain the gifted referral packet from the front office and return to Mrs. Stewart’s mailbox no later than December 13 th. Eligibility decisions will not be made until after December’s deadline regardless of paperwork submission date. Data Considered: *90 th percentile in Math, Reading, or Overall Score on MAP Test -and/or- 90 th percentile in Math AND Reading on CRCT Eligibility team will meet and contact parents if scholars are considered for further assessment to determine eligibility for gifted program services.

Gifted Interest Meeting– July 24, 2012page 14 Mental Ability-COGATAchievement-MAP TEST 96 th percentile or Higher 90 th percentile or Higher in Reading, Math, or Total Creativity-TTCTMotivation-GRS 90 th percentile or Higher GIFTED QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT SCORES 14 TO QUALIFY, SCHOLARS MUST MEET ASSESSMENT SCORES BY ONE OF TWO METHODS: OPTION A: *MENTAL ABILITY AND ACHIEVEMENT CRITERIA MET -OR- OPTION B: * 3 OUT OF 4 AREAS MET (MULTIPLE CRITERIA)

Title – Datepage Agenda: Introduction (2) Characteristics of Gifted Learners (3) Gifted Program Purpose and Plan (5) Referral & Identification Process (5) Testing Products and Procedures(10) Questions (5)

FALL RAFFLE!!!!!!

17 MAP SCORES- ACHIEVEMENT ASSESSMENT Background Info: The MAP test (Measures of Academic Process) is a computer-adaptive achievement test aligned to state and national curricula. This test is used to inform stakeholders of what a child currently knows and what a child is ready to learn. Types of Questions: Students will take the Math, Reading and Language Arts components of the MAP test. As students answer questions correctly, the content becomes more challenging. This helps the system pinpoint exactly what a student has mastered and what he/she is ready to learn. Length of Test:As the test is adaptive, test times vary from student to student. Preparation Info:Good night’s sleep/ Breakfast Investment in taking the test

18 COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST- MENTAL ABILITY ASSESSMENT Background Info:The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a K-12 assessment designed to measure students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal.. Types of Questions: Verbal Battery- verbal classification, sentence completion, verbal analogies. Quantitative Battery - number analogies, number puzzles, number series. Non-Verbal Battery - figure classification, paper folding, figure matrices. Length of Test:Between 2-3 hours Preparation Info:Good night’s sleep/ Breakfast

19 TORRANCE TEST OF CREATIVE THINKING- CREATIVITY ASSESSMENT Background Info:The Torrance® Tests of Creative Thinking invite examinees to draw and give a title to their drawings (pictures) or to write questions, reasons, consequences and different uses for objects (words). It requires responses which are mainly drawing or pictorial in nature. The TTCT requires students to use their imagination, solve problems, think of new ideas, and elaborate on their ideas. Types of Questions:Sample Test Question: What might this be? A.a smashed spider B.a star C.a set of mini blinds caught in a tornado Length of Test:45- minute session Preparation Info:Good night’s sleep/ Breakfast

20 GIFTED RATING SCALE- MOTIVATION ASSESSMENT Background Info: The Gifted Rating Scale (GRS) is a scholastic assessment for school children. It is used mostly for Gifted & Talented admissions. It is administered by a teacher who knows the child well. The teacher rates specific gifted behaviors that they have observed over time. Types of Questions: Sample Question: Reacts to challenges enthusiastically Below Average Average Above Average Length of Test:Teachers will complete form on referred scholars in January/February. Preparation Info:Good night’s sleep/ Breakfast

Gifted Interest Meeting– July 24, 2012page 21 Scholars must have parental permission before being tested. *Scores from the past two calendar years of MAP scores will be used to locate a qualifying score. Scholars will take the two tests for creativity and mental abilities during the week of February 3-7 th. Testing will occur during the regular school day. Attendance is always important– especially during testing days. Results take about 6-8 weeks to come in and eligibility decisions will not be made until late April/ early May. *Any students who qualify for the gifted program will begin receiving gifted services in the Fall of ASSESSMENT FALL

If you believe your child has been previously identified as gifted, we would love to service your scholar this year. In order for your child to begin receiving gifted services, eligibility must be established and verified through one of the following channels:  An Eligibility Report  An Annual Review Form ( with “continued placement” area checked)  A Report Card with gifted courses and corresponding.2 course number You can usually locate these at the school in which your child was identified as gifted. 22 You can request that these documents be sent to: Amber Stewart Gifted Coordinator KIPP: STRIVE Academy 1444 Lucile Avenue Atlanta, GA Fax: Amber Stewart Gifted Coordinator KIPP: VISION Academy 660 McWilliams Rd SE Atlanta, GA Fax:

SPRING Amber Stewart Gifted Coordinator KIPP STRIVE Academy KIPP Vision Academy C: E: Questions? Thank you for your time tonight! Check out our gifted website at