1. Identifying and Assessing students in the Douglas County School System
The Gifted Program
Identifying and Assessing students in the
Douglas County School System

2. Step 1: How is a child referred to the program?
Nominated by a teacher (T)
Nominated by a parent (P)
Nominated by themselves (S)
Nominated by another child in the gifted program (S)
Automatic referrals (A) are automatically entered into the program based on standardized test scores >90% in Total Reading, Total Math, or Total Composite

3. Step 2: Teacher submits required portfolio documents to Eligibility Team for review.
Observation checklist of gifted characteristics and behaviors.
Current work samples (writing sample, running record of reading level, projects-student generated, anecdotal notes).
Previous test scores: current within 2 calendar years.
GPA (copy of report card)

4. Eligibility Team Meets
Eligibility Team consists of:
Program Challenge teacher
classroom teacher
administrator
and/or counselor
Eligibility Team Meets

5. Step 3: Eligibility Team Review
4 Possible Outcomes
Refer for evaluation
Wait and watch
Gather more information
Does not meet eligibility criteria

6. Step 4 (A): Formal Evaluation
Option A (both areas must be met)
Mental Ability
Kdg-2nd: 99th percentile on composite or full score of a standardized test of mental ability
3rd-12th >96th percentile on composite or scale score
Achievement
>90th percentile, by age or grade, on total reading, total math or total battery score of a standardized achievement test

7. Step 4 (B): Formal Evaluation
Option B (3 out of 4 areas must be met)
Mental Ability
Achievement
Creativity
Motivation

8. Mental Ability
> 96th percentile, by age, on a composite or full scale score or appropriate component score of a standardized test of mental ability

9. Achievement
>90th percentile on total reading, total math or total battery score of a standardized achievement test
Test must be norm referenced (ITBS test)

10. Creativity
> 90th percentile on the total battery of the standardized test of creativity OR
> 90th percentile on a standardized creativity characteristics rating scale

11. Motivation
> 90th percentile on a standardized motivational characteristics rating scale OR
Grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale average of previous two school years

12. Both outcomes will have recommended service options
Step 5: Eligibility Team Evaluate assessment results and recommend services:
2 Possible Outcomes
Eligible for services
Ineligible for services
Both outcomes will have recommended service options

13. Q & A
If my child/student is ineligible, what is the waiting period to be retested?
2 years
2. If my child/student is ineligible, what are some recommended service options?
Advanced class placement
Differentiated instruction within the regular classroom
Placed with a certified program challenge teacher in a regular classroom

14. 3. How will parents be notified of the results?
Notification will be sent to parents by mail upon completion of the formal evaluation.
If my child is eligible, when will services begin?
Usually 2-4 weeks
5. How will teachers be notified?
The Program Challenge teacher
will notify classroom teachers.

15. Dorsett Shoals Elementary School
Presented by:
Dorsett Shoals Elementary School
Donna Pennington (1st grade)
Tammy Morris (2nd grade)
Kathy Russ (4th grade)
Factory Shoals Elementary School
Colleen Hunt (3rd grade)