1. What is Special Activities in Gifted Education ? What is Special Activities in Gifted Education ?

2. SAGE is the academic instructional program that was created to enhance and extend curriculum for identified gifted students in Henry County. SAGE is the academic instructional program that was created to enhance and extend curriculum for identified gifted students in Henry County.

3. Who is considered gifted ? Who is considered gifted ? s tudents who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual and/or creative abilities, and/or who s tudents who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual and/or creative abilities, and/or who excel in specific excel in specific academic fields; academic fields; students who need students who need special instruction to achieve at special instruction to achieve at levels commensurate to their abilities levels commensurate to their abilities

4. How are students nominated for the gifted program? Nominations are most often made by classroom teachers; however, any reasonable person who has knowledge of a students intellectual functioning may nominate that student for Nominations are most often made by classroom teachers; however, any reasonable person who has knowledge of a students intellectual functioning may nominate that student for further consideration. further consideration.

5. How are students identified as gifted? Option 1 – Psychometric Approach: How are students identified as gifted? Option 1 – Psychometric Approach: The student may qualify on the basis of mental ability and achievement results only. The mental ability test score must be a composite score or full scale score at the 96th percentile or higher for students in grades 3-12. In addition, students must score at the 90th percentile in Total Reading, Total Math, or total achievement test battery, or superior product/performance assessment. No student may qualify on the basis of a mental ability score alone. The student may qualify on the basis of mental ability and achievement results only. The mental ability test score must be a composite score or full scale score at the 96th percentile or higher for students in grades 3-12. In addition, students must score at the 90th percentile in Total Reading, Total Math, or total achievement test battery, or superior product/performance assessment. No student may qualify on the basis of a mental ability score alone.

6. Option 2: Multiple Criteria Approach Option 2: Multiple Criteria Approach The student may qualify by meeting the standards in any 3 of 4 data categories: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation; at least one must be a nationally normed standardized test. The student may qualify by meeting the standards in any 3 of 4 data categories: mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation; at least one must be a nationally normed standardized test.

7. If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he or she be eligible for gifted placement in Georgia? If a student has been identified as gifted in another state, will he or she be eligible for gifted placement in Georgia? No, there is no reciprocal eligibility from state to state. To expedite the eligibility process, parents can provide the following helpful assessment documents to the schools gifted coordinator: original eligibility reports, recent standardized test scores, work samples, and recommendations from current teachers. By providing this information at the time of registration, parents can avoid delays in getting their child appropriately placed. No, there is no reciprocal eligibility from state to state. To expedite the eligibility process, parents can provide the following helpful assessment documents to the schools gifted coordinator: original eligibility reports, recent standardized test scores, work samples, and recommendations from current teachers. By providing this information at the time of registration, parents can avoid delays in getting their child appropriately placed.

8. How will my gifted child be served in middle school? Identified SAGE students attend one gifted academic course each day.

9. What gifted classes are currently offered at U.G.M.S.? Western World Studies is offered in 6th grade, Life Science in 7th, and Georgia Studies in 8th. There are also advanced math classes for students who meet qualifications.

10. How does a gifted student maintain eligibility? How does a gifted student maintain eligibility? Continued eligibility requires that a student maintain satisfactory performance in the gifted program, maintain a minimum overall academic B average, and have satisfactory conduct.

11. ??????????? What do middle school students see as the differences between the elementary school and the middle school gifted programs?

12. SAGE in Elementary School: * Classes are once a week; all day * No formal grades are given * Focus is more on enrichment * More arts and crafts type projects * More field trips, games, and fun activities

13. SAGE in Middle School: * More challenging and rigorous * More independent work * Grade is given on report card * One specific academic subject each day * Academics are accelerated; move faster * Use more critical and abstract thinking skills * More in depth study and discussion of materials * More research-based projects

14. Advice from Middle Grades SAGE Students: * Whatever you do, bring your brain!!!! * Be organized and responsible. * Be mature. * Be mature. * Pay attention in class. * Pay attention in class. * Put more effort into getting a good grade. * Study hard; do not cram for tests. * Dont be worried; you were placed in SAGE because you can handle it!

15. For further information, contact: Tina Ponder, 6 th grade – tponderhenry.k12.ga.us Heidi Pickett, 7th grade – hpickett@henry.k12.ga.us Barbara Beshiri, 8th grade – bbeshiri@henry.k12.ga.us or call 678-583-8978 or call 678-583-8978