Western Elementary REACH Program
GIFTED TESTING INFORMATION
Gifted Definition
"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.
- State Rule 160-4-2-.38
This site is designed to assist parents who are interested in gifted testing. It is organized by the most frequently asked questions (in blue). Please Note: All information applies to the Coweta County School System which abides by the gifted standards set by the state of Georgia.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTEDNESS
- highly curious
- beyond age peers
- discusses in detail, elaborates
- gets mentally and physically involved
- doesn't just know the answers, asks the questions
- shows strong feelings and opinions, is intense
- already knows the content
- only needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery
- comes up with abstract ideas
- prefers adults
- able to make inferences
- creates a new design
- enjoys learning, not just school
- inventor
- thrives on complexity
- keenly observant
- highly self-critical
Gifted Referral Periods
1st - 5th Grade - January Referral Window- If your child was not tested last year, you may refer him or her for gifted testing from January 1st – 15th (even if you referred in August and they did not move on to testing, you can refer again).
Kindergarten Referral Window - March - Kindergarten students may be referred between March 1st – 31st. Kindergarten students who qualify for REACH will not be served until August 2017.
**Please note that this referral does not guarantee testing. It only refers your child to the school committee who will make the decision of whether testing is warranted.
Gifted Testing Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SCORES ARE NEEDED FOR MY CHILD NEED TO QUALIFY?
Understanding qualifying scores is not a simple process. Below, you will find an overview of eligibility in the simplest terms possible.
Students are tested in four areas: mental ability, achievement, motivation, and creativity.
The following tests can be used to test students in these areas. The test selected is determined by the student's grade level.
Mental Ability: CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) (K-5)
Achievement: Grades K-2: Woodcock-Johnson III
Grades 3-5: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) Forms E, F *
Motivation: Interview
Creativity: Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT)
Students can qualify for gifted in two different ways. The majority of students qualify under Option B that is listed below.
Option A: Student has 99%tile in mental ability (K-2) or 96% in the composite score in mental ability (3-12) and a 90%tile in total math or total reading in achievement.
Option B: Student has 3 out of the 4 qualifying scores.
96%tile or higher in any area in mental ability
90%tile or higher in total reading or math in achievement
90%tile or higher in motivation
90%tile or higher in creativity
WHEN CAN MY CHILD BE TESTED AGAIN?
MY CHILD WAS IN GIFTED IN ANOTHER STATE / COUNTY. WILL HE BE IN GIFTED HERE?
Students coming from another county in Georgia who have previously qualified for gifted are still eligible for services in Coweta County. However, for your child to receive services, we will have to have his or her gifted records on file at the school before he or she can attend REACH.
MY CHILD MAKES STRAIGHT A'S, DOESN'T THAT COUNT TOWARD GIFTED ELIGIBILITY?
No, elementary schools cannot use grades as a referral or qualifier for the gifted program. In fact, just because a child gets all A's does not necessarily mean they will qualify. Some students are really great students and are extremely bright, but are not gifted. They will still excel in everything they do, even though they do not qualify and are still extremely good students regardless of their test results for gifted!
Middle schools and high schools can use grade point average as one qualifier for gifted, so please keep that in mind when your child enters those schools.