Cobb Countys Gifted Eligibility Process Target 2013 2014

Cobb County’s Gifted Eligibility Process Target 2013 -2014 Mrs. Sarah Covington Target Teacher- Eastvalley Elementary

Referrals • Automatic – System-wide assessment – ITBS, Cog. AT, Renzullis – All students in grades 1, 3, and 5 are reviewed

State Law Two Options for Eligibility Option A/Psychometric: A student must meet eligibility requirements in both Mental Abilities and Achievement. Option B/ Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas: Mental Abilities, Achievement, Creativity, and Motivation.

Determination of Eligibility Option A/Psychometric: A student must meet eligibility requirements in both areas: • Mental Ability: 96 th percentile (3 -12) or 99 th percentile (K-2) on a standardized test of mental ability - Composite Score only. • Achievement: 90 th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery.

Determination of Eligibility Option B/ Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas: • Mental Ability: 96 th percentile on a standardized test of mental ability - Component or Composite score • Achievement: 90 th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery • Creativity: 90 th percentile / 90 th percent on a creativity assessment • Motivation: 90 th percentile / 90 th percent on a motivation assessment

Assessments used • Mental abilities- Cognitive Abilities Test (Cog. AT), Otis- Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) • Achievement- Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) • Creativity- Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Creativity (1 -12), Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) • Motivation- Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Motivation (1 -12), motivation portfolio (1 -3); Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory(CAIMI) (4 -5)

Renzulli Rating Scales • Based on behaviors observed in the classroom over a minimum of nine weeks • All teachers receive training on identifying behaviors that exemplify characteristics of creativity and motivation specific to gifted children.

Example of Creativity Characteristic – The student demonstrates the ability to generate a large number of ideas or solutions to problems or questions. Behaviors: good problem solver, thinks of different ways of doing things, trouble settling on one idea, and therefore, may have difficulty beginning tasks.

Example of Motivation Characteristic – The student demonstrates tenacity for finding out information on topics of interest. Behaviors: seeks opportunities to find more information about a topic beyond what is presented in class, is able to contribute additional information on topics discussed in class due to independent research, student may be too focused on one topic.

Testing Window • Gifted eligibility evaluation begins once system-wide test scores are received and reviewed by Target teacher- this is usually completed November through January. • Student testing will begin the first week of December.

What is the process? • The testing for Target is an involved evaluation process. It takes multiple testing sessions and a variety of evaluation procedures. • Letters of notification for gifted eligibility or non eligibility will come home at the end of our testing window. All letters will be sent home at the same time. We need this time to effectively evaluate each of the students.

What can I do to prepare my child? • Be sure during the testing window your child gets enough rest. • Be sure your child has a good breakfast. • Be honest with your child to do his/her best. There is no study guide to work from. • Reassure your child when he/she says it was hard. • Let your child tell you about the process.

My child was pulled one day and not the next… • We have 2 Target teachers that will be evaluating students. Depending on the particular test needed, your child may or may not be pulled each day. • If your child isn’t being tested each session, it is not an indication of qualifying or not.

My child did not qualify, what can I do? • Reassure your child that you know he/she did his/her best. • Students are evaluated each year in grades 1, 3, and 5. • The Target teachers take this evaluation seriously and look at all 4 areas and strictly follow the state guidelines and rules when qualifying students.

My child qualified, what does that mean? • Your child will begin to attend Target classes in January with grade level classmates. • Target teachers will hold an Open House in January for parents of new students to go over the program and answer questions.

Delivery Models for Gifted Service • Elementary – One day a week, resource class – Interdisciplinary curriculum • Middle School – Advanced content classes – Placement based on demonstrated need in content areas – Specific criteria for placement determined by local school • High School – Honors and Advanced Placement classes

Thank you for your interest in gifted eligibility and service.