• Gifted Evaluation Process

    All gifted assessments in the Henry County School District adhere to the rules and regulations established by the Georgia Department of Education. There are three steps in the process of identification and placement of students into the gifted program: referral, evaluation, and determination of eligibility. 

     
    Referral

    The referral process is the first step towards entrance into the gifted program.  A referral may come as the result of system wide testing or from teachers, parents, students, or any other individual with knowledge of a student.  Referrals are reviewed by each school’s Student Search Team, which uses data to determine whether further evaluation to determine eligibility for gifted education services should be conducted.  

    To refer your student click here. 

    Evaluation

    Students are evaluated in four areas: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation. Assessment instruments include nationally normed tests, rating scales, and other approved measures. All assessments comply with state rules and regulations. Individual assessment measures require parental consent.

     

    Determination of Eligibility

    Determination of gifted eligibility is conducted in accordance with Georgia Department of Education rule 160-4-2-.38.  The chart below details the two paths available for gifted eligibility.

     

     

    In Option A and B, information shall be gathered in each of the four categories.

    At least one of the criteria must be met by a score on a GaDOE approved nationally normed reference test.

    Any data used to establish eligibility in one category shall not be used to establish eligibility in another category.

    If a rating scale is used to evaluate creativity, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate motivation. If a rating scale is used to evaluate motivation, a rating scale shall not be used to evaluate creativity.

    Any piece of information used to establish eligibility shall be current within two years.

    Local school systems must establish policies in regards to the use of data gathered and analyzed by private entities.

     
    Category
    Option A
    Option B
     
    Student must have a qualifying score in the mental ability AND achievement categories.
    Student must qualify in three of the four categories.
    Mental Ability
    Grades K-2 99th% percentile composite score on a nationally normed mental ability test
     
    Grades 3-12 ≥96th percentile composite score on a nationally normed mental ability test
    Grades K- 12 ≥ 96th percentile composite OR appropriate component score on a nationally normed mental ability tests
    Achievement
    Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile Total Reading, Total Math, or Complete Battery on a nationally normed achievement test
    Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile Total Reading, Total Math, or Complete Battery on a nationally normed achievement test
     
    Grades K – 12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators
    Creativity
    Evaluation data required
    Grades K-12 ≥ 90th percentile on composite score on a
    nationally normed creativity test
     
    Grades K-12 Rating scales used to qualify student creativity must equate to the 90th percentile
     
    Grades K-12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators
    Motivation
    Evaluation data required
    Grades 6-12 Two-year average of a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in regular core subject of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, science, and full year world languages
     
    Grades K-12 Rating scales used to qualify student motivation must equate to the 90th percentile
     
    Grades K – 12 Superior product/performance with a score ≥ 90 on a scale of 1-100, as evaluated by a panel of three or more qualified evaluators

     

    Reciprocity

    Within Georgia
    Any Student who has met eligibility criteria for gifted education services in any Georgia Local Education Agency and who meets Henry County Schools criteria for continuation of gifted education services shall be considered eligible for gifted education services in Henry County Schools.
     
    Outside Georgia
    a. There is no mandated reciprocity of services between states.
    b. If a parent reports that a student received gifted education services in his/her prior state, the receiving school will begin the gifted evaluation process within 60 school days.
     
    Active Duty Military
    Any student who is a dependent of active duty military personnel, who transfers from any school inside or outside of the state, and who received gifted education services in his/her previous school is eligible to receive gifted education services in Henry County Schools. Student's progress will be monitored in accordance with continuation criteria to ensure appropriate placement of the student.