Cobb County’s Gifted Eligibility Process Target 2012-2013

Referrals Automatic System-wide assessment – ITBS, CogAT, Renzullis All students in grades 1,3, and 5 are reviewed Automatic Referrals: Currently grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 go through the automatic referral process due to system-wide testing The CogAT is administered in grades 1, 3, and 7 The ITBS is administered in grades 3, 5, and 7 Remind parents these scores are valid for two years Reported Referrals: Can be made by any person with knowledge of a student’s abilities. Reported Referrals are required for any student from out of state who wants to be considered for gifted eligibility in the state of GA. Reported referrals require the completion of GF 157 by referring individual. Making a referral does not necessarily mean that a child will be tested further. All existing data is reviewed. If further testing is warranted, permission to test a student will be obtained in writing. Reciprocity In state - Any student who meets the Georgia eligibility criteria is considered eligible to receive gifted education service in Cobb County upon verification of records. The student transferring into the district must meet the Cobb’s criteria for continuation of gifted services.

State Law Two Options for Eligibility Option A/Psychometric: A student must meet eligibility requirements in both Mental Abilities and Achievement. Option B/ Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas: Mental Abilities, Achievement, Creativity, and Motivation.

Determination of Eligibility Option A/Psychometric: A student must meet eligibility requirements in both areas: Mental Ability: 96th percentile (3-12) or 99th percentile (K-2) on a standardized test of mental ability - Composite Score only. Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery . May want to refer parents to the Testing Terms sheet and explain: MA– we use age percentiles A – we use grade percentiles Although scores are good for two years, mental abilities scores achieved in the K-2 window can not be used for eligibility in the 3-12 window.

Determination of Eligibility Option B/ Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas: Mental Ability: 96th percentile on a standardized test of mental ability - Component or Composite score Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery Creativity: 90th percentile / 90th percent on a creativity assessment Motivation: 90th percentile / 90th percent on a motivation assessment Inform parents that two rating scales cannot be used to determine gifted eligibility, AND that scores from system-wide testing are valid for two years.

Assessments used Mental abilities- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) Achievement- Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) Creativity- Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Creativity (1-12), Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) Motivation- Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Motivation (1-12), motivation portfolio (1-3); Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory(CAIMI) (4-5) The state has a wider menu of assessment options that can be utilized, HOWEVER, it is a menu for local school systems, not parents. We can not feasibly provide every assessment option for each category.

Renzulli Rating Scales Based on behaviors observed in the classroom over a minimum of nine weeks All teachers receive training on identifying behaviors that exemplify characteristics of creativity and motivation specific to gifted children. If you are questioned about the SUBJECTIVITY of teachers when completing these rating scales, remind parents of the training teachers receive and about their ability to apply professional judgment in rating a student’s behavioral characteristics. These judgments are based on observed behaviors in the classroom.

Example of Creativity Creativity Characteristic – The student demonstrates the ability to generate a large number of ideas or solutions to problems or questions. Behaviors: good problem solver, thinks of different ways of doing things, trouble settling on one idea, and therefore, may have difficulty beginning tasks. Important to point out to parents that some behaviors could be viewed negatively, but can still be an indicator of this characteristic. However, one demonstrated characteristic, does not indicate overall giftedness in creativity. There are nine creativity characteristics that are rated on the scale.

Example of Motivation Motivation Characteristic – The student demonstrates tenacity for finding out information on topics of interest. Behaviors: seeks opportunities to find more information about a topic beyond what is presented in class, is able to contribute additional information on topics discussed in class due to independent research, student may be too focused on one topic. Important to point out to parents that some behaviors could be viewed negatively, but can still be an indicator of this characteristic. However, one demonstrated characteristic, does not indicate overall giftedness in motivation. There are eleven motivation characteristics that are rated on the scale.

Testing Window Gifted eligibility evaluation begins once system-wide test scores are received and reviewed by Target teacher- this is usually completed November through January. Every attempt is made to complete gifted eligibility evaluation before the winter break. However, there are circumstances that cause testing to carry over to the new year.

What is the process? The testing for Target is an involved evaluation process. It takes multiple testing sessions and a variety of evaluation procedures. Letters of notification for gifted eligibility or non eligibility will come home at the end of our testing window. All letters will be sent home at the same time. We need this time to effectively evaluate each of the students.

What can I do to prepare my child? Be sure during the testing window your child gets enough rest. Be sure your child has a good breakfast. Be honest with your child to do his/her best. There is no study guide to work from. Reassure your child when he/she says it was hard. Let your child tell you about the process.

My child was pulled one day and not the next… We have 2 Target teachers that will be evaluating students. Depending on the particular test needed, your child may or may not be pulled each day. If your child isn’t being tested each session, it is not an indication of qualifying or not.

My child did not qualify, what can I do? Reassure your child that you know he/she did his/her best. Students are evaluated each year in grades 1, 3, and 5. The Target teachers take this evaluation seriously and look at all 4 areas and strictly follow the state guidelines and rules when qualifying students.

My child qualified, what does that mean? Your child will begin to attend Target classes in January with grade level classmates. Target teachers will hold an Open House for parents of new students to go over the program and answer questions.

Delivery Models for Gifted Service Elementary One day a week, resource class Interdisciplinary curriculum Middle School Advanced content classes Placement based on demonstrated need in content areas Specific criteria for placement determined by local school High School Honors and Advanced Placement classes A student does not need to be identified gifted to be eligible for advanced content classes in middle and high school.

Thank you for your interest in gifted eligibility and service.