Georgia's Definition
A gifted student is one who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative abilities, exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.
State Criteria
Tests are given in the following areas to determine eligibility.
1. Achievement
2. Mental Ability
3. Creativity
4. Motivation
Eligibility
1. To be eligible for gifted services, students must either (a) score at the 99th percentile (for grades K-2) or the 96th percentile (for grades 3-12) on the composite or full scale score of a standardized test of mental ability and meet at least one of the achievement criteria in reading or math, or (b) qualify through a multiple criteria assessment process by meeting criteria in any three of the four areas listed above.
2. Students are identified through an eligibility committee consisting of no less than three members who consider test data that is analyzed throughout the year.
3. Students transferring from another gifted/talented program within the state of Georgia will be eligible for placement in the Lowndes County Gifted/Talented Program.
4. Students entering the Lowndes County School System from other states will follow procedures used for an initial referral.
Courses of study follow the Georgia Performance Standards while implementing gifted curriculum that includes skills in problem solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, innovative thinking, research and reference, communication, student independence, and leadership.
Lowndes County Schools Delivery Models
Delivery models for serving gifted students in the state of Georgia include several State Department-approved delivery models which appropriately serve the identified needs of gifted students in elementary, middle, and high schools. To meet student achievement needs, teachers at our school serve students through the resource class pull-out and cluster grouping models.
Resource Class:
Direct services
Identified gifted and/or high achievers
Limited class size
Teacher must have gifted endorsement
Limit of ten segments per week
Cluster Grouping:
Small group of identified gifted students placed as a group into an otherwise heterogeneous regular classroom
Teacher must have the gifted endorsement
One or two segments per day
Maximum class size is the regular education class maximum