Gifted Program / Q.U.E.S.T.

Gifted Screening and Referral

The Atlanta Public School System screens students for eligibility once a year.

1. Automatic Screening - At the beginning of the school year, gifted teachers review test scores.
   1. Nationally Normed Test (K-12) Students must have a qualifying nationally normed test score that is less than two years old.
   2. Criterion Referenced Competency Test (Grades 4-9 only) Students must have achieved the top 10th percentile derived from district norms in Math CRCT score or Reading CRCT score.
2. Classroom Screening – All school staff completes the TABs (Traits, Abilities, Behaviors) Instrument to observe students.
   1. All school staff will utilize the TABs form to observe students for the demonstration of 10 gifted behaviors during the period of December 2^nd – 13^th.
3. Parental Referral Any parent within Atlanta Public Schools may refer their child for gifted and talented testing. Parents must complete the Gifted Referral and Parental Permission Form and submit to the eligibility team for review. The referral window is August 7th - December 13th. Testing of parental referral students will take place in January and February 2014.
4. Students meeting the automatic screening, classroom screening, or parental screening are referred for gifted testing. Once referred for testing:
   1. Parent receives and signs a Parent Notification for Testing Consent Form
   2. Student is evaluated for gifted services
   3. Eligibility is determined; parents are notified.
5. Automatic Screening will take place August-September. Students referred for testing will be assessed September-October. All parents will be notified of eligibility six to eight weeks after testing is completed.
6. Classroom Screening will take place in December. Students referred for testing will be assessed January-February. All parents will be notified of eligibility six to eight weeks after testing is completed. Rev 8.9.13
7. Gifted testing will consist of one hour sessions each day for one to five days.
8. The automatic screening process, which is completed at the beginning of the year, is the first opportunity students have to be screened/assessed.
9. Parent Referral screening window closes in December. All Parent Referral students will be assessed once the window has closed. Testing of parental referral students will take place in January and February 2014.
10. Results from private assessments shall be used only in the area of mental ability. The results shall be supported by two of the three remaining categories, Option B. One of the three remaining categories must be a nationally normed test. A complete report must be provided. The assessment must be completed by a Psychologist licensed in the state of Georgia.
11. Each school in APS has a gifted eligibility chairperson. If you have any questions regarding the gifted program at a specific school, he or she will be able to assist you.
12. In elementary school, gifted students receive five gifted segments each week from a gifted endorsed teacher. Units extend and enrich the CCGPS. If determined eligible from automatic referral, students will begin gifted services in January 2014. For those determined eligible through parental referral or TABs, services will begin in August 2014.

For additional information, contact the Office of Gifted and Talented Education (404) 802-7585