ELIGIBILITY Q&A 1 - 7 ARE FROM THE GA.D.O.E. WEB PAGE

1. How are gifted students identified?
2. What are eligibility criteria?
3. Option 1, the Psychometric Approach:
4. Option 2, the Multiple-Criteria Approach:
5. What special programs are offered for gifted students?
6. What about out-of-state students enrolling in Georgia Schools?
7. What are the certification requirements for teachers of gifted students?
8. What mental abilities test is used to support Challenge eligibility criteria?
9. What standardized achievement tests are used?

How are gifted students identified?

The definition of students eligible for gifted education services in Georgia 
may be found in State Board of Education (SBOE) 160-4-2-.38 EDUCATION 
PROGRAM FOR GIFTED STUDENTS [Code IDDD(2)]: 

Gifted Student - a student 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 needs special 
instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels 
commensurate with his or her abilities. (SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38, p. 1)
Nominations are often made by classroom teachers; however, any responsible 
person who has knowledge of a student�s intellectual functioning may 
nominate that student for further consideration. Additionally, an automatic 
referral procedure is described in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. Each local board 
of education must establish a score on system wide norm-referenced test 
results as the automatic referral level. Students scoring at or above this 
level are automatically considered. For specific information on the 
nomination procedures (e.g., forms to be completed, schedule for testing, 
etc.), parents and educators should contact a gifted program teacher or the 
gifted program coordinator in the local school system.

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What are eligibility criteria?

The eligibility criteria for gifted program placement are also provided in 
SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The Rule describes the four categories for assessment 
(mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation) and the 
performance standards that must be achieved in each for a student to become 
eligible for gifted education services. Once a youngster has been assessed 
in all four data categories, there are two ways eligibility can be 
established:

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Option 1, the Psychometric Approach:

Once a youngster has been assessed in all four data categories, there are 
two ways eligibility can be established. Option 1, the Psychometric 
Approach: 
The student may qualify on the basis of mental ability and achievement 
assessment results only (regardless of the assessment results in creativity 
and motivation). In this case the mental ability test score must be a 
composite or full-scale score. The composite score must be at the 99th 
percentile for students in grades K-2. The composite score may be at the 
96th percentile or higher for students in grades 3-12. In addition, students 
(grades K-12) must meet at least one of the achievement standards described 
in the SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38: 90th percentile Total Reading, 90th percentile 
Total Math, 90th percentile total achievement test battery, or superior 
product/performance assessment. No student may qualify on the basis of a 
mental ability test score alone.

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Option 2, the Multiple-Criteria Approach:

The student may qualify by meeting the standards in any three of the four 
data categories, at least one of which must be on a nationally-normed 
standardized test. Component scores (e.g., Nonverbal Ability), as well as 
full scale scores, may be used in the area of mental ability. However, 
component scores must meet the criteria specified in the Gifted Education 
Regulations (Pages 7-13).

We believe that these abilities (mental ability, achievement, creativity, 
and motivation) may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, thus there are 
assessment options in each of the data categories. We are also committed to 
the belief that gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity, 
gender, economic class, or nationality.

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What special programs are offered for gifted students?

The State Board of Education requires and authorizes each local board of 
education to develop curriculum for their gifted students in grades K-12, 
following the guidelines in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The approved delivery 
models for gifted education services are described in the Gifted Education 
Regulations (Pages 7-13), but the exact nature of those services is always 
decided at the local level. To find out more about specific program 
offerings for gifted students, parents and educators should contact the 
gifted program coordinator in the local school system. 

The GADOE web page is a rich source of information on school systems and 
individual schools in Georgia. Under the Report Card section , you will be 
able to compare a number of variables for all the schools in your area. Many 
local school systems also have their own web pages linked to the Georgia DOE 
page. Those sites may be a good way to learn about specific programs of 
interest. For example, some systems offer magnet programs for gifted and 
talented students; some offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum and 
diploma program.

There are many other opportunities for advanced learning experiences for 
gifted children in addition to the gifted programs offered through Georgia's 
public schools. The GA DOE web site has information about The Governor's 
Honors Program and a number of scholarship opportunities for gifted 
students. Both the Georgia Association for Gifted Children and the National 
Association for Gifted Children provide information about extracurricular 
programs on their web pages. 

The State University of West Georgia and Middle Georgia College offer 
residential programs where gifted high school students may complete their 
high school graduation requirements and college coursework at the same time. 
Georgia State University provides Saturday and summer enrichment programs 
for high ability students.

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What about out-of-state students enrolling in Georgia Schools?

There is no reciprocal eligibility from state to state, as each state 
establishes its own definition of giftedness and its own rules governing 
gifted education services. However, many states' definitions are similar, so 
we hope to be able to establish transferring students� eligibility for 
gifted program placement here in GA with little or no additional testing. 
The most expedient way to nominate an out-of-state transfer for possible 
gifted program placement is to collect all assessment data and present those 
assessment results to the gifted program teacher at the student�s new school 
or to the district's gifted program coordinator at the time of registration. 
Helpful documents might include: original eligibility reports, recent 
standardized test scores, work samples, and recommendations from current 
teachers. Gifted program personnel in the receiving school system can then 
evaluate the types of tests that were given, the dates of those tests, etc., 
and determine what additional testing (if any) may be required to determine 
eligibility under the Georgia guidelines. By providing that information at 
the time of registration, parents can help us avoid delays in getting gifted 
students appropriately placed. We welcome parental referrals for 
consideration.

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What are the certification requirements for teachers of gifted students?

Teachers of gifted students must meet the training requirements described in 
the Gifted Education Regulations (Pages 7-13, Regulations of Delivery 
Models). The Gifted Education Endorsement may be added to a professional 
teaching certificate by successfully completing a program of study that has 
been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). 
Georgia PSC Rule 505-2-.107 describes the Gifted In-Field Endorsement. 
Approved endorsement programs are also listed on the PSC Web site.

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What mental abilities test is used to support Challenge eligibility criteria?

Fourth and Fifth Grade students take the CogAT in the Fall.  Kindergarten, 
First, Second, and Fourth Graders are administered the test in the Spring.

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What standardized achievement tests are used?

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is administered to Third and Fifth Grade 
Students. Kindergarteners, First, Second, and Fourth Graders take the Terra 
Nova. Both are administered in the Spring. These nationally normed test 
batteries identify students achieving scores in the 90th to the 99th 
percentile of the Composite Math and/or Reading tests.

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