Gifted and Talented
State Criteria for Identifying Academically Gifted and Talented Students
Lexington School District Four
Lexington School District Four identifies students for the academically gifted program “ACE” (serving grades 3 – 8) according to the South Carolina Department of Education program eligibility criteria. Gifted and talented students are found within all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Identification is a multi-step process, established by the South Carolina Department of Education. All second grade students are tested with a nationally normed aptitude and achievement test in the fall. Students in grades three through eight are screened based on any new data less than two years old. Spring state assessment scores will be reviewed to see if further testing will qualify third through eighth graders for the GT program. No private testing may be accepted for consideration, but may be used for referral purposes. In order to qualify for placement in the academically gifted and talented program a student must meet the eligibility criteria (established by the state) in two of the following three dimensions.
Screening/Referral/Assessment Profile SC State-funded Academic Gifted and Talented Program | Criteria | Qualifying Tests |
|---|---|---|
Dimension A: Reasoning Abilities / Aptitude *Special note – Students are eligible for placement on the basis of aptitude scores alone if they score at or above the 96th national age percentile on the composite score of a nationally normed aptitude test. | 93rd national age percentile or higher on verbal/linguistic, quantitative/mathematical, nonverbal, and/or a composite of the three a nationally normed aptitude test. | CogAT (Fall) Ravens (Fall) |
Dimension B: High Achievement in Reading and/or Mathematics | 94th percentile or higher on a nationally normed achievement test or score at or above the state assessment scale scores listed below in either Reading or Math. | ITBS (Fall) State Assessment (Spring) |
Dimension C: Intellectual / Academic Performance Used only after a child meets the standard on either Dimension A or Dimension B but not both | Primary verbal or nonverbal: 16 or higher for students entering grade three; 18 or higher for students entering grade four Intermediate verbal: 16 or higher for students entering grade five; 18 or higher for students entering grade six Intermediate nonverbal: 22 or higher for students entering grade five; 25 or higher for students entering grade six Beginning in grade 6, a 3.75 GPA in the core academic areas may be used in lieu of the performance task (computed using final grades from the recently completed school year) | Primary STAR Performance Tasks (Spring) Intermediate STAR Performance Tasks (Spring) |
State Identification Process
The SC State-funded Academic Gifted and Talented Program requires the testing and screening of all 2nd grade students to identify those who qualify placement in the gifted program beginning the 3rd grade. Once a child qualifies for ACE they do not have to re-qualify in subsequent years.
Notification
Parents of students who qualify for the program are notified by letter. Spring state assessment scores of students in grades 3 – 8 will be reviewed to see if further testing will qualify them for ACE. Additionally, parents, teachers, and students may nominate students in grade 3 – 8 for additional testing. Referral forms are available in school offices or the district website.