Academically/Intellectually Gifted

1. Academically/Intellectually Gifted Referral, Screening, and Placement Processes Beginning in Third Grade

2. Characteristics of a Gifted Child • Talkative • Seems to “know everything” • Lazy “sometimes” • Does not want to do repetitive problems • Asks a lot of “why” questions • Usually has a “favorite” subject in which he/she excels • Likes to be in charge • Does not like group work--unless with AIG peers

3. How Are Students Nominated? • Teacher’s request • EOG Screening Pool (Any child that scores 90% or higher becomes part of the pool to be considered for screening for AIG.) • Nurturing Pool (Kindergarten-Second Grades) • Parent’s request • Student’s request

4. How to Refer a Child for AIG Screening • Put a note in the AIG teacher’s box with child’s name/NC Wise Number or have a conversation with the AIG teacher. • Be ready to supply a copy of the child’s report card, fill out a teacher survey, collect and turn in work samples, and send paperwork home to the child’s parent. • Encourage the child to return the paperwork sent home by the AIG teacher as soon as possible.

5. What Happens After a Child Has Been Referred? • The AIG teacher sends surveys to be completed by: Students, Parents, and Classroom Teachers • The teacher survey consists of Motivational characteristics as well as academic performance • Students complete the interest survey under the direction of the AIG teacher

6. What Does the AIG Teacher Do Now That The Child Has Been Referred? The AIG teacher gathers the following data to determine if the child SHOULD be tested: • biographical information • grades • test scores • parent, teacher, and student surveys

7. What Kind of Testing May Be Administered To The Child Testing consists of two types: • Achievement measures what the child has learned. Typically the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is administered to measure achievement in Reading and Math. • Aptitude measures the child’s ability/potential for learning. This will be assessed using the Kuhlmann-Anderson or the Cognitive Abilities Test.

8. Multiple Indicators Data is gathered in several areas from many sourcesover a period of time.

9. The AIG Standards • Achievement - 90% or higher on achievement testing • Aptitude – 85% or higher on the aptitude testing • Motivation – A minimum rating of Very High (at least 90%) on Parent Scale, Teacher Scale, and/or Self-evaluation Scale. • Performance – Proficiency in academic subjects (A average) • Interest – Evidence of projects or work samples well above grade level expectation, high student self-rating, a broad range of extra-curricular activities, and/or high teacher rating in motivation. • Observation – A minimum rating of High (at least 90%) on the Gifted Behavior Scale (total or any sub-section total) completed by one or more teachers; other scales may be completed as needed.

10. How Does A Child Qualify for AIG in GRADES 3-8? • A child must have a qualifying score in achievement or aptitude • 5 of the 6 standards should be met • Achievement • Aptitude • Motivation • Performance • Interest • Observation (Each item above is converted to a numerical value which must be above the 90%ile in order to be considered. Aptitude must be 85%.)

11. After the testing is completed, what happens? • After a child is tested for AIG, the AIG teacher meets with the AIG Site-based Team which is made up of the AIG teacher and others that have been assigned by the principal. • Recommendations are made at this time using all of the indicators.

12. What Happens After the Site-based Decision Has Been Reached? • The AIG teacher contacts the parent (via Invitation to Conference form) to schedule a conference to discuss testing results • If the child places, the parent must sign the Placement form in order for the child to receive AIG services • Parent signatures are also obtained for non-placements which are then filed as inactive