DCBOE GIFTED PROGRAM

 TYPES OF STUDENT REFERRALS

Referrals. The consideration for gifted education services may be reported or automatic as defined in the GaDOE Resource Manual for Gifted Education Services.

Reported Referral. A student may be referred for consideration for gifted education services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.

Automatic Referral. Students in grades 1-8 who score at specified levels on a norm-referenced test as defined in the GaDOE Resource Manual for Gifted Education Services, for further assessment to determine eligibility for gifted program services.

The Local BOE shall establish the criterion score needed on norm-referenced tests for automatic consideration for further eligibility assessment.

 The Local BOE shall ensure that tests or procedures used in the referral process and to determine eligibility for gifted education services meet standards of validity and reliability for the purpose of identifying gifted students and shall be non-discriminatory with respect to race, religion, national origin, sex, disabilities, and economic background.

DECATUR COUNTY PARENT REFERRAL DEADLINE: January 12, 2024
Parent gifted referrals should be made in writing to the principal of the student's school of attendance or Mrs. Deal at bdeal@dcboe.com. Parent referrals will not be accepted after the deadline. 

Consent. The LEA shall obtain written consent for testing from parents or guardians of students who are being considered for referral for gifted education services. The LEA shall obtain written consent from parents or guardians before providing gifted education services to students determined to be eligible for services.

Once a student has been referred, information is gathered to support the referral. This information generally includes:

• Biographical information
• Standardized test history 
• Benchmark Assessments
• Appropriate examples of student’s work
• Motivational and creativity rating scales
• Observational records

After a student has been referred and appropriate information has been gathered, the information is reviewed by the eligibility team at the school. 

The eligibility team consists of a gifted teacher, the classroom teacher, and a school administrator. The role of the eligibility team is to review a profile of the student through observational data, existing performance data, and a standardized testing history to determine appropriate instructional planning and placement for a student.

The committee examines the student’s information and will make one of the following recommendations:

• A formal referral for further evaluation
• A request for additional information
• Continued monitoring of the student’s progress for possible future consideration

Formal evaluation will involve the use of rating scales and standardized tests. Parents are notified prior to this process and must consent for these additional evaluations to proceed.

Once formal evaluations have been completed and information has been collected in the areas of mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation, the student’s information is reviewed by the eligibility committee.

Parents are notified regarding the results of the process and provided an opportunity to review their child’s evaluation results.

Eligibility criteria for placement in this program is based upon State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.38.   Students are evaluated in the areas of mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation.  Students must qualify in three of the four areas in order to be eligible for gifted services.

Information shall be gathered in each of the four data categories.  At least one of the criteria must be met by a score on a nationally normed standardized test.  Any data used in one category to establish a student's eligibility may not be used in any other category.  Assessment data must be current within two years.

Gifted and talented students are born naturally gifted, and they have an innate ability to see the world in a different way. Gifted students possess the aptitude to ask the questions, challenge the facts, and experiment through self-directed learning. If these gifts and talents are nurtured from a young age and supported by all stakeholders, the gifted population has the highest probability of producing our scientists, doctors, engineers, university professors, lawyers, writers, entrepreneurs, and so many more!

In Decatur County, we support our gifted students and understand that each student’s needs are different, and we are here to identify those needs and facilitate authentic learning for our gifted and talented students in their “quest” to reach their highest potential!