Grady County Schools

GIFTED REFERRAL PROCESS

The referral process is the first step for entrance into the gifted program.  A referral may come from teachers, parents, self, peer, or as the result of system-wide testing (automatic referral).  Referrals are reviewed by each school’s eligibility committee, which determines who will be evaluated for gifted placement.  A referral for gifted evaluation is not a guarantee of eligibility testing.  The eligibility team/committee will examine a number of artifacts and evidence and will make a decision based on those items.

Assessment

Students are evaluated in four areas:  mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation.  Assessment instruments include nationally normed tests, rating scales, and other state-approved measures. All assessments comply with the Georgia state rules and regulations.  Individual assessment measures require parental consent.

Referral Testing Window

In order to better facilitate student testing for gifted program services, the following testing windows have been implemented for the 2020-2021 school year.  Students are able to be tested again a year later from the date of the test administered. All gifted assessment scores are able to be used two years in order to refer a student.

Referrals for Gifted Screening

FALL Referrals - 1st DUE DATE - Monday, August 24, 2020
SPRING Referrals - 2nd DUE DATE - Monday, March 15, 2020

There are two different methods for referring a student for gifted services screening:  referrals from individuals (parents, teachers, peers, self) or from an automatic referral (school-wide, full grade level administration of a nationally normed assessment of mental ability or achievement). 

Referrals from individuals may be made during the two testing windows (see the “Referral Testing Window” chart above) and will require the completion of a “Gifted Nomination Form” that lists observed student characteristics demonstrating the need for enriched/advanced instruction.  Referrals that are submitted to the school Gifted Eligibility Team for screening to determine if there is evidence to support testing for gifted eligibility.  Individuals do not refer directly to testing.  Individuals refer for screening. 

Automatic referrals will be made following the results of a school-wide full grade level administration of a nationally normed assessment during the fall of each school year. Students who score in the eligibility range for the school-wide full grade level administered test are referred to the school Gifted Eligibility Team for further screening in order to be tested for gifted eligibility.

Transfer Students

In-State Transfers:  Any student who meets the eligibility criteria for gifted education services is considered eligible to receive gifted education services in Grady County upon verification of records and scores.

Out-of-State Transfers:  There is no mandated reciprocity between states for gifted eligibility.  Students who transfer from other states’ gifted programs must meet Georgia eligibility requirements before services can be provided.

Military Dependent Transfers:  When a student transfers into the school system who is a dependent of active duty military personnel and identifies themselves as gifted, the student will receive services and will begin the gifted eligibility process/testing for Grady County Schools.

Determination of Eligibility

Determination of gifted eligibility is conducted in accordance with the Georgia Department of Education rule 160-4-2.38. The chart below details the two paths for gifted eligibility

• In option A and B, information shall be gathered in each of the four categories.
• At least one of the criteria must be met by a score on a GaDOE approved nationally normed reference test.
• Any data used to establish eligibility in one category shall not be used to establish eligibility in another category.
• If a rating scale is used to evaluate creativity, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate motivation.  If a rating scale is used to evaluate motivation, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate creativity.
• Any piece of information used to establish eligibility shall be current within two years.
• Local school systems must establish policies in regards to the use of data gathered and analyzed by private entities.
• Students are eligible through a psychometric approach (Rule.08) in which Grades K-2 must have a mental ability score of 99% and an achievement score of 90% or greater – Option A.
• Students are eligible through a psychometric approach (Rule .08) in which Grades 3-12 must have a mental ability score of 96% or greater and an achievement score of 90% or greater – Option A.

Gifted Assessments

Grady County School District administers only state-approved tests for gifted eligibility.  The tests administered adhere to the State of Georgia Board of Education Policy, 160-4-2-.38, having been reviewed for bias and are normed on a nationally representative sample with respect to race, religion, national origin, sex, disabilities, and economic background within a 10-year period prior to administration.  In accordance with Professional Standards Commission Educator Code of Ethics assessment regulations, test security will be maintained among all levels of test administration.  Test security measures include that other than the name of the evaluation instrument, further information will not be shared about gifted eligibility assessments with regard to form, section, or level.