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Student Learning-Curriculum
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Student Learning-Curriculum
Evans, GA
706-541-0650
FAX:706-868-2193 |
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Mike Lindsey-Director
The Columbia County School System is committed to the belief that children have the right to an educational program based on individual needs. According to definition, a gifted student is one “who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative abilities, or excels in specific academic fields and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his/her abilities.” Therefore, competencies in the areas of cognitive skills, learning skills, research and reference skills, communication skills and meta-cognitive skills are extended through gifted education programs beyond what is experienced in the regular classroom. The Columbia County Gifted Education Program was developed under the standards and guidelines provided by the state of Georgia. Approximately five percent of Georgia’s school population, including more than five percent of Columbia County’s school population, receives gifted services.
A gifted program is provided to all students (grades K-12) who meet Georgia eligibility requirements and local policy.
ELEMENTARY
Services for students in grades K-5 are provided through a resource center model. Students attend the gifted resource center at Westmont Elementary School one day per week, with transportation provided by the school system. Higher order thinking skills, creative expression, research/study skills, data collecting skills, and the knowledge/use of the scientific method will be developed and enhanced by specialized instruction, activities, hands-on experiences, and field trips. The Horizons Program, with its specialized curriculum, provides tremendous learning opportunities for gifted elementary students.
MIDDLE
Gifted services in middle schools are provided through advanced content classes. During each year, students receive advanced content instruction in mathematics. Other core subjects are taught on a rotating basis (one per year). 6th graders have advanced content social studies, with 7th graders taking advanced content science, and 8th grade students participating in advanced content language arts instruction.
SECONDARY
Gifted students in the high schools receive advanced content instruction in a variety of courses, as determined by the individual schools. Advanced placement courses, as well as joint enrollment courses are endorsed as gifted classes due to the rigor of the course content.
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RECIPROCITY
Any student who meets the Georgia eligibility criteria for gifted education services in any public school system in the state shall be considered eligible to receive services in the Columbia County School System. Students having participated in gifted programs outside the state may be placed immediately into the program only if the Georgia criteria for placement have been met. Otherwise, the student will need additional testing prior to placement.
ELIGIBILITY
In accordance with the Georgia Board of Education rules governing gifted education, services for intellectually gifted and talented students are provided for those individuals who perform at or above the designated levels on instruments used to determine gifted eligibility. To be eligible for gifted education services, as student must either (a) score at the 99th percentile (for grades K-2) or the 96th percentile (for grades 3-12) on the composite or full scale score of a standardized test of mental ability and meet the achievement criteria described below, or (b) qualify by meeting eligibility criteria in at least three of the following four categories:
1) Mental Ability - The student must score at or above the 96th percentile on a standardized test of mental ability.
2) Achievement - The student must score at or above the 90th percentile on the composite, total reading or total mathematics portion of a standardized test of achievement.
3) Creativity - On a standardized test of creativity, a score of at least the 90th percentile is required to meet this indicator.
4) Motivation - A score of > the 90th percentile on a standardized motivational rating scale. |
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REFERRALS
A student may be referred for consideration for gifted educational services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, and/or other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities. Students who score at or above the 90th percentile on the total battery, total math, or total reading portions of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills may be automatically referred for consideration for evaluation.
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EVALUATION PROCESS
Columbia County schools follow a set procedure relative to the evaluation process for potentially eligible students. These are outlined as follows:
• Parents or legal guardians shall be notified in writing of a student’s consideration for gifted education services, and given the opportunity to discuss the evaluation process, instruments, placement, etc. with the gifted contact (generally a counselor) in the local school.
• Parents or legal guardians must give permission in writing for any further evaluation considerations that might lead to gifted placement.
• Data will be collected by the school in the areas of mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation.
• Parents or legal guardians shall be notified in writing of the eligibility status of each student evaluated.
EVALUATION CYCLE
Students who are new to the Columbia County School System, as well as kindergarten students may be referred and tested during the fall cycle. (Note: The kindergarten program begins in January). Regular gifted education identification testing for all other students takes place during the second semester, with placement and participation to begin the following fall.
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link to Elementary Gifted Program website
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