From the Georgia Department of Education Web Page
- Gifted Education
- How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?
- How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?
- What special programs are offered for gifted students?
- Option 2, the Multiple-Criteria Approach:
- What special programs are offered for gifted students?
- If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he/she be eligible for gifted program placement in Georgia?
- What are the certification requirements for a teacher of gifted students?
Gifted Education
The Georgia Department of Education’s Gifted Program is funded by the State of Georgia. In Georgia, a gifted education student is defined as 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 fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her ability(ies).
The Georgia Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.38 EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR GIFTED STUDENTS and the Board-approved Regulations for Gifted Education. The information contained in the manual supplements the rules and regulations and provides assistance to teachers and administrators who provide instructional services to Georgia’s gifted students. Additionally, parents and other interested parties can use the resource manual as a guide to gifted education in Georgia.
Many gifted education decisions and procedures are left to the discretion of local school systems so that they may address the unique needs of their communities. This is especially evident in systems that have been awarded IE-2 or Charter status by the Georgia Board of Education. Please contact your local school and school system for additional information.
How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?
Nominations are often made by classroom teachers; however, any responsible person who has knowledge of a student’s intellectual functioning may nominate that student for further consideration. Additionally, an automatic referral procedure is described in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. Each local board of education must establish a score on system-wide norm-referenced test results as the automatic referral level. Students scoring at or above this level are automatically considered. For specific information on the nomination procedures, parents and educators should contact their local school system.
How are students nominated for possible gifted program placement?
Nominations are often made by classroom teachers; however, any responsible person who has knowledge of a student’s intellectual functioning may nominate that student for further consideration. Additionally, an automatic referral procedure is described in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. Each local board of education must establish a score on system-wide norm-referenced test results as the automatic referral level. Students scoring at or above this level are automatically considered. For specific information on the nomination procedures, parents and educators should contact their local school system.
What special programs are offered for gifted students?
The State Board of Education requires and authorizes each local board of education to develop curriculum for their gifted students in grades K-12, following the guidelines in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The approved delivery models for gifted education services are described in gifted regulations, but the exact nature of those services is decided at the local level. To find out more about specific program offerings for gifted students, parents should contact their student’s school.
Option 2, the Multiple-Criteria Approach:
The student may qualify by meeting the standards in any three of the four
data categories, at least one of which must be on a nationally-normed
standardized test. Component scores (e.g., Nonverbal Ability), as well as
full scale scores, may be used in the area of mental ability. However,
component scores must meet the criteria specified in the Gifted Education
Regulations (Pages 7-13).
We believe that these abilities (mental ability, achievement, creativity,
and motivation) may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, thus there are
assessment options in each of the data categories. We are also committed to
the belief that gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity,
gender, economic class, or nationality.
What special programs are offered for gifted students?
The State Board of Education requires and authorizes each local board of
education to develop curriculum for their gifted students in grades K-12,
following the guidelines in SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38. The approved delivery
models for gifted education services are described in the Gifted Education
Regulations (Pages 7-13), but the exact nature of those services is always
decided at the local level. To find out more about specific program
offerings for gifted students, parents and educators should contact the
gifted program coordinator in the local school system.
The GADOE web page is a rich source of information on school systems and
individual schools in Georgia. Under the Report Card section , you will be
able to compare a number of variables for all the schools in your area. Many
local school systems also have their own web pages linked to the Georgia DOE
page. Those sites may be a good way to learn about specific programs of
interest. For example, some systems offer magnet programs for gifted and
talented students; some offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum and
diploma program.
There are many other opportunities for advanced learning experiences for
gifted children in addition to the gifted programs offered through Georgia's
public schools. The GA DOE web site has information about The Governor's
Honors Program and a number of scholarship opportunities for gifted
students. Both the Georgia Association for Gifted Children and the National
Association for Gifted Children provide information about extracurricular
programs on their web pages.
The State University of West Georgia and Middle Georgia College offer
residential programs where gifted high school students may complete their
high school graduation requirements and college coursework at the same time.
Georgia State University provides Saturday and summer enrichment programs
for high ability students.
If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he/she be eligible for gifted program placement in Georgia?
If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he/she be eligible for gifted program placement in Georgia?
There is no mandated reciprocity between states; however, the school system should immediately take steps to see that the advanced learning needs of a student transferring to their system are being met while the Georgia gifted eligibility is being determined. The following documents should be presented to the student’s new school: a current eligibility report, recent standardized test scores, work samples, and recommendations from teachers.
During the 2009 session, the Georgia General Assembly enacted several laws relating to the education of children of military families that impact the gifted education reciprocity of students whose households include a member of the United States uniform services. The goal of the legislation is to maximize a student’s educational continuity despite the frequent movement across states and school districts. These laws are codified at O.C.G.A. 20-2-2140 through 20_2-2180. Eligible students are school-aged children whose household includes at least one of the following:
1. An active duty member of the uniformed services.
2. A member or veteran of the uniformed services who is severely injured and medically discharged.
3. A member of the uniformed services that died on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty.
Nothing in this Code section shall preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.
What are the certification requirements for a teacher of gifted students?
Teachers of gifted students must meet the training requirements established by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). Georgia PSC Gifted In-Field Endorsement approved programs are also listed on the PSC Web site.
