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Philosophy
Because students should be nurtured and
should have the opportunity to develop the full
range of their strengths and talents, programs
for the gifted and talented are an essential
part of the curriculum of Fayette County
Schools. These programs, which enhance and
extend the adopted curriculum, are intended both
to encourage individual and group exploration in
a variety of areas and to promote the critical,
creative, and practical application of
knowledge. |
| Enrichment |
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All public schools in Georgia
are mandated to operated a program for academically
talented children in Grades K-12. In Fayette
County, this program is called Gifted.
How Do Children Quality for
the Gifted Program?
They must meet the requirements of Rule .08 or
Rule .38.
Rule .08
In Grades K-12, achieve a composite score at the
99th percentile on a standardized mental ability test and
a score at or above the 90th percentile composite, or
total math, or total reading on a nationally normed
achievement test.
In Grades 3-12, achieve a
composite score at or above the 96th percentile on a standardized
mental ability test and on a nationally normed
achievement test, a composite, total math, or total
reading.
Rule .38
To qualify, a student must meet the eligibility criterion
in three of the four categories.
Mental Ability
A composite or appropriate component score at or
above the 96th percentile on a nationally normed mental
ability test.
Achievement
A composite or total reading or total math score
at or above the 90th percentile on a nationally normed
standardized achievement test.
Motivation
A numerical score at or above the 90th
percentile on the Runzulli Motivation Assessment.
For students transferring from out-of-state, a GPA at or
above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale calculated using averages in
core academic courses (English, Math, Science, Social
Studies) for the previous two years.
Creativity
A Creativity Index score at or above the 90th
percentile on the total battery of the Torrance Test of
Creative Thinking.
Under current state
regulations, all test scores must be generated by the
assessing school system. No scores from private
testing can be used, although such test results will be
used to refer a child for assessment in the four areas
required by law. All students transferring from a
gifted program in another public school system in
Georgia are qualified in Fayette County under the
state-mandated reciprocity agreement. These
students must present evidence, however, that they have
met the state's requirements for services and provide
documented evidence of placement.
All students transferring from
out of state must meet Georgia's state requirements
before being registered for gifted classes.
Georgia has no reciprocal agreement with other states.
How are Children Referred to
the Gifted Program?
Often children are referred automatically as a
result of a mental ability screening or a school-wide achievement
test administered to an entire class or grade level.
Children may also be referred
by teachers, counselors, parents, or
administrators. Referral is initiated by
completing the Observation Form which requests anecdotal
evidence of recognized gifted behavior and evidence of
gifted work. No child will be tested on a personal
recommendation until the Observation Form is completed
to indicate a reasonable expectation of success from
screening. TO refer a child for screening, please
contact the teacher of the gifted, the classroom
teacher, or the school counselor in your child's school.
When a child is referred for
assessment, parents are notified in writing.
Under new state guidelines,
test scores are valid for two years. Retesting,
should it become necessary, will occur only every other
academic year.
What Does the Gifted Program
Model Look Like in Fayette County?
In Grades K-5, gifted students follow a resource
model in which they are scheduled into classes for the
gifted once a week for an entire day, twice a week for a
full morning and full afternoon, or daily for a 40-55
minute segment. When not receiving gifted
services, they work with their regular class.
In Grades 6-12, gifted students
study in specific academic areas of interest and
expertise.
All gifted classes are taught
by teachers who are specialist in their field and have
earned an additional certification endorsement.
What Kinds of Things Will My
Child Learn in the Gifted Program?
At the K-5 level, the Gifted Program is an
interdisciplinary exploration built on significant
thematic issues and the investigation of significant
questions. Activities which require critical
think, and the development of advanced research and
communication skills are infused into all studies.
The secondary program for
grades 6-12 offers content area classes which are both
qualitatively and quantitatively different from those in
the regular curriculum. These classes require
extension of exploration and applied critical thinking
skills. In some cases summer reading is also a
required part of the program.
CHALLENGES * SUPPORTS *
ENRICHES
What if The Gifted Program
Proves to be Unsuitable For My Child?
Withdrawal from the program is a simple matter and
can be initiated by parents. Contact your
student's teacher or school counselor to withdraw your
student from the program.
Students may re-enter the
program at the beginning of any semester without
re-evaluation if they have previously qualified for
services and meet performance requirements of the
continuation policy at the time of the re-entry
request. Re-entry occurs only at the beginning of
a semester.
What is the Duration of My
Child's Placement in the Program?
As long as performance requirements are met, you and
your child will determine whether to continue
participation.
What are the Criteria for
Remaining a Student in Good Standing Within the Gifted
Program?
A student's performance in regular and gifted classes is
reviewed at the end of each semester. To remain
active the Gifted Program, a student must exhibit satisfactory
performance in both regular and Gifted classes.
Such performance is judged by a student's willingness to
participate, the student's attitude toward the class and
its tasks and fellow students, and the degree to which
the student completes assignments with an obvious
quality of effort.
Satisfactory performance in the
regular educating program is defined as the maintenance
of "B" (~80) average. Satisfactory
performance in gifted classes also requires an average
of B or better.
Students failing to meet
continuation criteria are placed on probation. While
on probation, students are permitted to remain in the
Gifted Program. They are given one full semester
to meet the continuation criteria or be withdrawn from
the program (Summer school attendance will not serve to
clear probationary status). Parents are notified
in writing of the results of the continuation review and
prior to withdrawal, should that be necessary.
If you have further
questions about the Fayette County Program for Gifted
Learners, please contact your child's teacher or the
school counselor.
