Gifted Eligibility Process
Presented by
Annette Simpson and Patti Tashiro
Keheley’s Gifted Education Teachers
Referrals
• Automatic - in 1st, 3rd and 5th Grades
– System-wide assessment – ITBS, CogAT, Renzullis
• Reported - in 2nd and 4th Grades
- New to system
- Teachers and/or Parents
• Reciprocity – students who move within Cobb
County or the State of Georgia
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: Composite score only on a
standardized test of mental ability.
* 1-2 Grades - 99th percentile
* 3-5 Grades - 96th percentile
• Achievement: Total reading OR total math section
scores OR composite score of a standardized
achievement battery .
* All grade levels - 90th percentile
Determination of Eligibility Option B
Multiple Criteria: A student must meet eligibility requirements in
three of the four following areas:
• Mental Ability: Component or composite score on a
standardized test of mental ability.
* 1-5 Grades - ≥ 96th percentile
• Achievement: Total reading OR total math section scores
OR composite score of a standardized achievement battery .
* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile
• Creativity:
* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile
• Motivation:
* All grade levels ≥ 90th percentile
Sample Score Report
Assessments used
Mental abilities
 Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
 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
 Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT)
Motivation
 Renzulli Behavioral Rating Scale for Motivation
 Motivation portfolio (1st -3rd Grades)
 Children’s Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory(CAIMI) (4th -5th
Grades)
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
Creativity Characteristic:
The student demonstrates the ability to generate a
large number of ideas or solutions to problems or
questions.
Possible observed 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
Motivation Characteristic:
The student demonstrates tenacity for finding out
information on topics of interest.
Possible observed 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
Automatic System Wide testing
(no referral needed)
• CogAT Sept 18 – Sept 20 ALL 1st & 3rd Graders
• ITBS Sept 23 - 27 ALL 3rd & 5th Graders
Testing Window
• Gifted eligibility evaluation begins once the system-wide
test scores are received and reviewed by the local
eligibility committee (Target teachers and administration).
• If your child’s scores indicate a need for further
evaluation, a “permission to test” form will be sent home
(Mid November).
• Gifted eligibility further testing will begin in early
December.
Completion of Testing
• Once the LEC’s review of all test scores is complete,
gifted eligibility results will be mailed to you. Projected
to be late December.
Exception:
• Extenuating circumstances that would delay eligibility
results for some students:
 Motivation Portfolio
Additional Psychometric testing
Delivery Models for Gifted Service
Elementary
– One day a week, pull-out 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.