The identification of gifted and talented students is a multi-step process which consists of screening and referral, assessment of eligibility, and placement. The objective for the Grade 2 testing program is to evaluate each student for the purpose of placement into a district Gifted and Talented program. Students are identified for this program by demonstrating high performance ability or potential in academic and/or artistic areas. In accordance with State Board of Education regulation 43-220, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) provides an aptitude and an achievement assessment for this purpose. Although the primary purpose of these assessments is to identify students for the Gifted and Talented programs, the student results can be useful to teachers as they examine their instructional practices and can help them identify teaching strategies for all students.
In accordance with State Board Regulation 43-220, students must meet the criteria for two out of the three dimensions:
Dimension A (Reasoning Abilities) requires students to demonstrate high aptitude (93rd national age percentile and above) in one or more of these areas: verbal/linguistic, quantitative/mathematical, nonverbal, and/or a composite of the three. Scores on the CogAT may be used for this purpose. Dimension B (High Achievement in Reading and/or Mathematical Areas) of the regulation requires that students demonstrate high achievement in reading and/or mathematical areas (94th national percentile and above) as measured by a nationally normed or statewide assessment. Scores on the Iowa Assessments (IA) may be used for this purpose. Dimension C (Intellectual/Academic Performance) requires students to demonstrate a high degree of interest in and commitment to academic and/or intellectual pursuits or demonstrate intellectual characteristics such as curiosity/inquiry, reflection, persistence/tenacity in the face of challenge and creative productive thinking. One of the methods by which these characteristics may be demonstrated is by meeting the minimum required score on either the verbal or nonverbal components of the Performance Task Assessments (PTA). The state identifies eligible students for the PTAs based on previous test scores.
For more information on Gifted and Talented, visited the South Carolina Department of Education website.