Gifted Referral Process & Characteristics of the Gifted and Talented Grady County School District

ALPHA = Gifted Advancement in Learning & Performance for Higher Achievement Elementary (K-5) – Taught by gifted-endorsed teachers and have pull- out Gifted Enrichment Writing Sessions taught by the ALPHA Director Middle School (6-8) – Grady County offers the PreAP Program at Washington Middle School in which students are put on an accelerated track to earn 3 high school credit hours during 8th grade. Gifted identified students at Shiver and Whigham are served by gifted-endorsed teachers. High School (9-12) – Gifted identified/ALPHA students are taught by highly-qualified Advanced Placement (AP) teachers and gifted-endorsed teachers. Students are offered many post-secondary options such as Dual Enrollment and AP courses.

ALPHA/Gifted Purpose The purpose of a “gifted nomination” is to determine a student’s NEED for gifted education services based on four state mandated areas - achievement, mental ability, motivation, and creativity.

Gifted Nomination Process Nominator fills out the form Data Collection/Lesson Plans by teachers Site-based Eligibility Team Meeting Gifted Testing /Parent Permission Obtained

ALPHA/Gifted Referral Process – Step 1 Fill out the Gifted Nomination Form on the ALPHA Website Teacher Nomination Parent Nomination Self Nomination Peer Nomination Automatic Nomination Due by August 8th (Fall) Due by February 13th (Spring)

ALPHA/Gifted Referral Process – Step 2 Referral Documentation Teacher documents acceleration efforts in his/her lesson plans for 6 weeks prior to gifted testing dates & TAB form is completed. Teacher keeps a minimum of 3 examples of accelerated work. Photos are acceptable. Teachers turn in 6 weeks of plans and the 3 examples of work for the gifted referral student(s) to the Instructional Coordinator prior to the Gifted Eligibility Meeting.

ALPHA/Gifted Referral Process – Step 3 Gifted Eligibility Meeting Gifted Eligibility Meeting takes place (teachers do not have to be present but may be present to explain documentation). ALPHA Director obtains written permission from parents to be eligible to test. If permission is granted, the testing process will begin.

ALPHA/Gifted Referral Process – Step 4 Gifted Testing & Permission Obtained After testing, eligibility is determined by scores and state regulations. Parents are notified by letter and given a description of the gifted services. Once parents approve testing results, the student is labeled ALPHA/Gifted and will be served by a Gifted-Endorsed teacher and/or services will be rendered.

Automatic Nomination Process The CogAT Gifted Screener is defined as a student Gifted and Talented Search. All 2nd graders will be tested on August 1st-2nd. It is an important step in ensuring equal access to gifted programs for all students. The data used in this process may or may not be used in eligibility placement. Data must be consistent with eligibility criteria.

Automatic Nomination Process Students must score 80% or higher on the CogAT Gifted Screener in Reading, Math and/or Total Composite. Test scores can be used for up to 2 years from the testing date and the percentiles are subject to change each year. The full CogAT will be administered when/if gifted testing begins. This testing portion was just for a gifted nomination to occur.

How can I tell the difference between High Achievers & Gifted Students?

Manipulate Information HIGH ACHIEVERS Know the Answers Enjoy School Grasp Meaning Copy Accurately Have Good Ideas Absorb Information Achieve Mastery In 3-8 Repetitions GIFTED STUDENTS Ask the questions Enjoy Learning Draw Inferences Create New Designs Have Unexpected Ideas Manipulate Information Achieve Mastery in 1-2 Repetitions

Many Characteristics of the Highly Creative are ALSO Characteristics of ADHD Inattention and Daydreaming Sensation Seeking Inability to Finish Projects Hyperactivity Enthusiasm and Playfulness Difficult Temperament Deficient Social Skills Hypersensitivity to Stimulation Mood Swings

You may notice…. “Questionable” HUMOR – which may be bizarre, absurd, cynical, or inappropriate.

Sometimes gifted students become obsessed with a specific interest area and NOTHING ELSE! -often unusual interest -passionate -sometimes fleeting or may have very short conversations -once they completely SATURATE their focus, they move on to something new

Giftedness can be found in students with disabilities. Gifted students may deal with frustration or the inability to master certain academic skills along with disruptive behavior. Giftedness can be found in students with disabilities.

…PERFECTIONISM… “If it can’t be perfect, I won’t do it at all,” or “I’ll intentionally do a poor job. I’d rather have a zero than a B or C.”

Forms to be submitted: A gifted nomination form including complete biographical information (See “ALPHA Referral Process” link on the ALPHA website link – www.grady.k12.ga.us (under the apple image and “Educational Programs and Information”) Documentation of differentiated instruction that shows evidence of successful acceleration (minimum of 6 weeks). Teachers of nominated gifted referral(s) will keep lesson plans that document the acceleration of the student(s). A Gifted TAB checklist must be completed by two teachers throughout the 6 weeks of documentation time.

Remember the following: Completed nomination forms must be submitted before the fall and spring nomination deadlines. A nomination is not synonymous with a decision to test.

Data must be collected in 4 areas for GaDOE Gifted Eligibility: Achievement ITBS Survey Battery or Complete Battery (based on grade level) – 90% Motivation Renzulli (Grades K-12) – 90% or GPA (Grades 6-12) – Students must have 2 yr. average of 90% Mental Ability Primary Test: CogAT – 96% Secondary Test: NNAT – 99% Creativity TTCT (Torrance) – 90% Verbal Torrance – 90%

Questions or Concerns? Mrs. Danielle Jones Contact Mrs. Danielle Jones ALPHA Academy Director / GCS Gifted Coordinator da.jones@grady.k12.ga.us (229) 377-3701 Additional information can be found in the Grady County Schools District Gifted Manual – 2016-2017.