Gifted Eligibility Process

Presented by Annette Simpson and Patti Tashiro

Keheley’s Gifted Education Teachers

Referrals

• Automatic - in 1st, 3rd and 5th Grades– System-wide assessment – ITBS, CogAT, Renzullis

• Reported - in 2nd and 4th Grades - New to system

- Teachers and/or Parents

• Reciprocity – students who move within Cobb County or the State of Georgia

State LawTwo 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 APsychometric: A student must meet eligibility

requirements in both areas:

• Mental Ability: Composite score only on a standardized test of mental ability.

* 1-2 Grades - 99th percentile

* 3-5 Grades - 96th percentile

• Achievement: Total reading OR total math section scores OR composite score of a standardized achievement battery .

* All grade levels - 90th percentile

Determination of Eligibility Option B

Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas:

• Mental Ability: Component or composite score on a standardized test of mental ability.

* 1-5 Grades - ≥ 96th percentile

• Achievement: Total reading OR total math section scores OR composite score of a standardized achievement battery .

* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile

• Creativity:* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile

• Motivation:* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile

Sample Score Report

Assessments usedMental 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 Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT)

Motivation Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Motivation Motivation portfolio (1st -3rd Grades) Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory(CAIMI) (4th -5th

Grades)

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.

Example of CreativityCreativity Characteristic: The student demonstrates the ability to generate a

large number of ideas or solutions to problems or questions.

Possible observed behaviors: * good problem solver

* thinks of different ways of doing things * trouble settling on one idea, and therefore, may have difficulty beginning tasks.

Example of MotivationMotivation Characteristic: The student demonstrates tenacity for finding out

information on topics of interest.

Possible observed 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.

Testing Window

Automatic System Wide testing (no referral needed)

• CogAT Sept 18 – Sept 20 ALL 1st & 3rd Graders

• ITBS Sept 23 - 27 ALL 3rd & 5th Graders

Testing Window

• Gifted eligibility evaluation begins once the system-wide test scores are received and reviewed by the local eligibility committee (Target teachers and administration).

• If your child’s scores indicate a need for further evaluation, a “permission to test” form will be sent home (Mid November).

• Gifted eligibility further testing will begin in early December.

Completion of Testing • Once the LEC’s review of all test scores is complete,

gifted eligibility results will be mailed to you. Projected to be late December.

Exception: • Extenuating circumstances that would delay eligibility

results for some students: Motivation PortfolioAdditional Psychometric testing

Delivery Models for Gifted Service

Elementary– One day a week, pull-out 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

Thank you for your interest in gifted eligibility and service.