Talented & Gifted Services
Definition: Intellectually gifted children and youth are those who perform or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. These children and youth require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.
Standard Referral: Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities may refer a student for consideration of gifted services. Standard referrals may occur at any time for students six years of age and older. Parents must be informed when students are referred.
Second Grade Child Find: All second-grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior checklist provided by the State Department of Education.
Equity: Efforts must be made to identify students among all populations and socioeconomic groups as well as students with disabilities and students who are Limited English Proficient (LEP).
Evaluation: Information must be obtained in the following areas: 1. Aptitude. Aptitude should be assessed through an individual or group test of intelligence or creativity. Vision and hearing screening must be completed prior to completing individually administered aptitude assessments (not screeners). 2. Performance. At least three examples of student performance that indicate the student is performing at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to others of his or her age, experience, or environment must be included. 3. Characteristics. A behavior rating scale designed to assess gifted behaviors should be used.
Eligibility Determination
Eligibility Criteria: Two methods of eligibility determination are available. The student may not be determined ineligible without having the matrix applied. 1. Automatic Eligibility. A student may be determined automatically eligible for gifted services when the obtained full scale/composite IQ score on an individually administered test of intelligence (NOT a screener) is two standard deviations above the mean or higher; or either the Verbal Average Standard score or Figural Creativity Index of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking is at or above the 97th national percentile. 2. Matrix of Multiple Criteria. The matrix of multiple criteria developed by the State Department of Education requires information in the areas of aptitude, performance, and characteristics.