1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.

Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083

(678) 676-0175
Mission Statement



The mission of the DeKalb County School District is to
form a collaborative effort between home and school
that maximizes students social and academic poten-
tial preparing them to compete in a global society.
Program
for
Gifted
Mission Statement
Program for Gifted Vision and Aims
DeKalb County Schools-Setting the standard for
Excellence through unity and purpose.

DCSD Program for Gifted has three main aims:

To bring gifted children together to ex-
perience a variety of challenging activi-
ties


To support teachers in the area of edu-
cating gifted children


To educate and support parents of the
gifted






Mr. Michael L. Thurmond
Interim Superintendent


Dr. Kathleen S. Howe
Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum
and Instruction


Mrs. Sandra Nunez
Director, Diverse Learners


Mrs. Donyell Atkinson
Coordinator, Gifted Program
Gi f t ed Program
The State of GA requires schools to service gifted students using one of the following
classroom models:
Resource Model (K-12)
1. Students are pulled out for a minimum of 225 minutes per week.
2. Teachers are gifted certified.
3. The teacher/student ratio is 1:23 for elementary and 1:27 for middle and
high school.
4. Lessons are interdisciplinary, enrichment and extension activities.
Cluster Grouping (K-12)
1. Twelve or fewer gifted students may be served in a regular classroom
setting.
2. Gifted endorsed teacher.
3. Differentiated curriculum in content, process, product and/or assess-
ments.
Advanced Content (K-12)
1. Minimum of one core content class.
2. Gifted endorsed teacher.
3. 1:25 teacher/student ratio.
4. Accelerated curriculum emphasizing process skills, problem-solving
activities, research projects and other higher order thinking skills.
5. Advanced Placement (AP) classes is included as long as the teacher is
AP certified and has completed ten clock hours of the Nature and Needs
of Gifted.
6. Some IB and Advanced courses may be used to provide gifted services.
Identification Process
The Georgia Board of Education defines a gifted student as "a student
who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual, creative, and/or artistic
ability(ies), possesses exceptional leadership skills, or excels in specific
academic fields and who needs special instruction and/or special ancil-
lary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abili-
ties."
The procedures for identifying and placing students in the gifted pro-
gram are governed by the Georgia Department of Education. DeKalb
County Schools offers the Discovery Program in elementary schools and
the Impact Program in the middle and high schools.
The Gifted Program is part of the Department of Curriculum and In-
struction and is funded by the state. The procedures for identifying and
placing students in the Gifted Program are governed by the Georgia
Department of Education as indicated by the SBOE Rule 160-4-2-38.
Gifted Instruction shall focus on developing cognitive, learning, research
and reference, and metacognitive skills.
Elementary, Middle and High School Programs
Discovery Program
Elementary students participate in the gifted program for a minimum of 225
minutes per week and are supported by a certified teacher of the gifted.

Impact Program
Middle and senior high school gifted students are taught at least one period per
day in a content-based program by a certified teacher of the gifted. In high
schools, gifted students may also participate in advanced placement (AP), di-
rected-study courses.

Assessment Scores

Private test data from an outside source may not be used to determine
eligibility; it may be used as a referral for further evaluation.

A qualifying score on a nationally normed test is required to meet the
criteria in at least one area.

Any data used to establish eligibility in one area shall not be used to
establish eligibility in another area.

Assessment scores are valid for two years.


Mental Ability Achievement Creativity Motivation
96th percentile
(or higher) by
age on a compos-
ite or full scale
score or appro-
priate component
score of a stan-
dardized test of
mental ability
90th percentile
on total reading,
total math or
total battery
score of a stan-
dardized achieve-
ment test




90th percentile
(or higher) on
the total battery
of a standard-
ized test of
creativity
-OR-
90th percentile
(or higher) on a
standardized
creativity
characteristics
rating scale



Grades K-12
90th percentile (or
higher) on a stan-
dardized charac-
teristics rating
scale
(motivational)
-OR-
Grades 9-12
Grade point aver-
age of at least 3.5
on a 4.0 scale,
using an average
of core grades
over the previous
two school years in
English, math,
science, social
studies, and for-
eign language if
applicable.
Gifted Program Criteria
To be eligible for gifted services, students must qualify
in three of the following four areas:
All Students Currently Enrolled in Grades 1-8
Students in grades one, three, five, and seven are automatically referred through a system-
wide assessment process. These grade levels are considered the primary testing years for
gifted. This process usually begins with a mental ability assessment (CogAT) and an
achievement test (ITBS) during the fall semester. A creativity and motivation assessment is
provided during the first week in November.

New Students
New students to the DeKalb County School District in grades two, four, six, and eight can be
referred by parents, teachers, and administrators for an eligibility review conducted by the
home schools Eligibility Team. Standardized test scores that are within a two year period
may be used as a referral for further evaluation.

All Students Currently Enrolled in Grades 9-12
Teachers, parents, the student, or others may refer a student for consideration for gifted
services by completing the High School Referral forms.

Kindergarten and Students New to the DeKalb County School District
Students may be recommended for consideration by teachers, and /or parents. After a
Kindergarten student is referred, the Kindergarten Portfolio Checklist must be completed.
The local school Eligibility Team (ET) reviews the Portfolio information, and based, on existing
evidence, determines which students shall be referred for further testing.

Transferring within the DCSD
If a student in a gifted program is transferring within the DCSD, her or she will automatically
become part of the receiving schools gifted program.

Transferring Within the State of Georgia
A student already participating in a gifted program in another Georgia school system will be
eligible to participate in the DeKalb County School Districts Program for the Gifted upon
receipt of eligible scores from the sending school and their review by the ET.

Gifted Students from Out-of-State Programs
Gifted students who enroll from an out of-state program must meet Georgia requirements
in order to be placed in the DCSDs Program for gifted. All scores must be current within
two years and additional assessment may be necessary.

Continuation Policy
All identified gifted students are given a Continuation Policy form that must be reviewed and
signed by the parent and the student. Students must maintain a minimum 80% or higher in
the gifted and regular classes.

Probation Policy
If students receiving Gifted Program services fail to maintain a minimum 80% or higher in
the gifted class and regular classes, the student will be placed on probation for a period of
one semester.


If a student qualifies for the gifted program, parents will be notified.


Identification and Placement of Students in
the Program for Gifted
Models for Gifted Programs