REACH:
Relishing Education and Conquering Heights
Elementary
Gifted:
Rusty Knorr
Program for Gifted
Students K-12
"A gifted student is one who demonstrates a high degree
of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits
an exceptionally high degree of motivation and/or excels
in specific academic field(s) and needs special
instruction and/or ancillary services to achieve at
levels commensurate with his or her abilities."
Education Program for Gifted Students
State Rule 160-4-2-.38, effective August, 1998
What is the REACH Program?
REACH
provides differentiated instructional services in core
academic content areas to eligible Coweta County School
System students in grades K-12. These services are based
upon:
1. The system's aligned curriculum and checkpoints, with
instruction presented in an accelerated and
interdisciplinary fashion. At least five (5) segments of
differentiated instruction weekly (or its annual
equivalent) are available for eligible students. To
continue receiving gifted services, the student must
maintain an overall "B" (80) average in the subjects of
mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and
foreign language, if such language study is included in
the student's records. The student must also maintain a
"C" (71) average in each gifted class attempted. In
grades 6-12, the student must also have no semester
grade below a "C" (71).
2. State and local learning goals for gifted learners.
At least five (5) segments of differentiated instruction
weekly (or its annual equivalent) are available for
eligible students. Eligible students must maintain at
least an overall "C" average each semester in order to
continue to receive these services.
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Content Area |
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Type of Class |
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Grades K-5 |
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Interdisciplinary Thematic Units Cluster
grouping within regular class |
Resources or Collaborative Teaching |
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Grades 6-8 |
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Language Arts/Reading Literature and/or Science |
Resources or Advanced Content Cluster |
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Grades 9-12 |
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English and/or Social Studies Advanced Academic
Courses |
9th/10th Resources
11th/12th Advanced Content and/or
Advanced Placement and/or Resource |
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Post-Secondary Options |
|
The provision
of gifted education services depends upon: students
needs, availability of certified staff, the school's
overall instructional schedule and System resources.
Each teacher of the gifted is responsible for the
implementation of all REACH program procedures in
his/her assigned school.
Inquiries about services should be directed to the
principal or to a teacher of the gifted at the
appropriate school.
Eligibility Criteria
Coweta County School System administrative procedures
are designed to ensure a fair and valid evaluation
process. All procedures are full compliance with the
state's eligibility criteria.
Evaluation results are reviewed by the School
Eligibility Team, System staff and, if warranted, by a
System Eligibility Team.
Scores are considered current for two (2) calendar
years. All scores are derived to yield percentile by
age.
**In special cases, the submission of a product or
performance may be substituted in the areas of
creativity and motivation upon approval of the System
Eligibility Team. Students may not be placed using 2
Renzulli Scales.
To be eligible
for gifted education services, a student must either:
To be
eligible for gifted education services, a student
must either:
1. 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 score equal to or greater than
the 90th percentile on the total battery, total
math, or total reading section(s) of a standardized
achievement test.
-OR-
2. Qualify through a multiple-criteria assessment
process by meeting the criteria in any three of the
following four areas: mental ability (intelligence),
achievement, creativity, and motivation.
Composite mental ability
Score =>96 percentile by age
|
If
a student’s composite mental ability score
is greater than the 94th percentile, but
less than the 96th percentile standard, AND
he/she meets one or more of the other
established criteria, then further mental
ability testing will be administered. |
|
Achievement (Total Reading, Total Math, or
Total battery) =>90 percentile |
Use most recent ITBS or Stanford scores. If
none are available, administer appropriate
achievement tests.
|
|
Creativity score=>90 percentile |
A
Renzulli for Creativity will be completed,
and if needed, the student will complete an
appropriate self-rating sale (GIFT or GIFFI).**
|
|
Motivation score =>90 percentile |
Methods used vary by grade level: Renzulli
for Motivation , CAIMI or GPA.**
|
Referrals
Gifted
Referral Period:
August* -- 1st-12th grade students new to the Coweta
County School System
October* -- 2nd Grade, Middle School, and
High School Open Referral Period
January* -- Referrals for first grade and students new
to the Coweta County School System since December
March* -- Kindergarten, Middle School, and High School
Referral Period
* Check with the teacher of the gifted at the local
school for exact referral period dates during the
referral months
Students in other grades are reconsidered for REACH
based on the county-wide testing schedule.
Referrals may be made by a teacher, parent/guardian,
counselor, or by the student during the above periods.
Students who were considered for REACH during the
previous school year and found not eligible will be
reconsidered this year. Teachers of the gifted will
review prior eligibility data and consider updated
scores available. If additional evaluation is needed of
if the student becomes eligible, the parent will be
notified.
Scores from group test administrations (ITBS, Stanford,
and CogAT in select grades) are reviewed annually by
teachers of the gifted. Any student who has tests scores
at or above the state's eligibility criteria is noted
for possible consideration.
Reciprocity within the state of Georgia: State law
provides for automatic reciprocity for students who were
eligible and placed in the gifted program in another
Georgia system. Upon receipt of appropriate records, the
student may begin receiving services in Coweta County.
(There is no automatic reciprocity for students served
in other states; however, these students may be referred
for consideration of eligibility upon their enrollment
in the Coweta County School System.)
Completion of Referral Process
Once a student is referred, the parent/guardian is
notified and must give written consent for an
evaluation.
An evaluation is conducted to measure each of the four
(4) criteria:
Mental Ability, Achievement, Creativity, Motivation
Standardized, system administered evaluation tools are
used.
Coweta County School System
Gifted Education / REACH
167 Werz Industrial Drive
Newnan, Georgia 30263
Inquiries about services should be directed to the
principal or to a teacher of the gifted at the
appropriate school.
