DeSoto County Schools’ Intellectually Gifted Mission Statement Specialized Plan Of Teaching Learners  Involving Gifted Highly Talented DeSoto County Schools’ Intellectually Gifted Mission Statement DeSoto County Schools will offer a qualitatively different educational experience that is not available in the elementary or middle school general education classroom.  Each school will develop a differentiated program designed to address the needs of the students enrolled in the school in line with the districts instructional management plan.  These programs guarantee intellectually gifted students an appropriate opportunity to experience continued personal growth.  These programs strive to provide intellectually gifted students with the opportunity to maximize their personal potential.

Social and Emotional Development In SPOTLIGHT we will explore thematic units in which we will incorporate the areas of gifted education.  These elements include the following: Creativity Communication Research Thinking skills Leadership Group dynamics Social and Emotional Development Visual and Performing Arts   All students are mass tested in the spring of 1st grade. The Spotlight Program begins in 2nd grade in DeSoto County.  

Mississippi Guidelines of Giftedness Sections of Mississippi Law on Gifted Education Sec 37-23-175 Definitions Sec 37-23-177 General powers and duties of state board of education Sec 37-23-179 Promulgation of rules, regulations, guidelines For more information and teaching resources http://www.magcweb.org http://www.nagc.org

The Mississippi Definition of Giftedness “Gifted Children” are defined by the state of Mississippi as children “who are found to have an exceptionally high degree of intellect, and/or academic, creative or artistic ability” Mississippi has their own guidelines for gifted qualifications.

Giftedness Characteristics There are some common character traits to gifted students : High levels of intelligence (cognitive) Excellence in academia (cognitive) Intense focus on their interest (cognitive) Immense vocabulary (cognitive) Desire for perfection (affective) However, these are not always present in all students that qualify for the gifted program in Desoto County.

Identifying Giftedness There are stages for identifying students for gifted services in Mississippi Referral (anyone may refer, including the student) Informal Testing - usually done by GLSC/Teacher OLSAT - Objective NNAT2 - Objective Gifted Evaluation Scale (GES) – Subjective Emerging Potential for Gifted -Subjective Gifted Local Survey Committee (GLSC) review of referral data (complete the paperwork) Parental Permission for Testing (G-PPDS signed) Assessment (formal testing)2nd Phase Assessment report (write the results) GLSC eligibility determination (document decision)

Understanding Assessments Mass screening helps to identify students who may not otherwise be referred for gifted services. The results of these measures of intelligence cannot preclude a student from being individually referred. It is an anonymous process to prevent bias NNAT2 and OLSAT The cut score is the 91st percentile to align with modern scale scores found in current IQ tests and 84% for those meeting the Emerging Potential for Gifted requirement Gifted Evaluation Scale (GES) subjective measure Usually done by an educator with knowledge of the student. Twice Exceptional Students with IEP’s who meet at least one referral criterion and score in the 91st percentile on the Assessment can be ruled eligible by the GLSC. If a student with and IEP does not score in the 91st percentile, but in the opinion of the GLSC would benefit from gifted education services, they could be ruled provisionally eligible.

Student Identification Process-Assessment NNAT2 –Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Second Edition It uses nonverbal measure of general ability intended to access cognitive ability independent of linguistic and cultural background OLSAT –Otis Lennon School Ability Test Is a multiple choice test that measures verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. Emerging Potential for Gifted It makes provisions for certain factors that exist that may put the student at a disadvantage during the identification process. Final Stage Consist of Psyhcometor testing - usually with Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children A battery of subtest Assessment Report The parent has a right to a copy of the assessment report and to have that report explained. GLSC eligibility determination This determination requires the signature of an administrator and a teacher of the gifted. The cut score is the 91st percentile to align with modern scale scores found in current IQ tests and 84% for those meeting the Emerging Potential for Gifted requirement Students who score at the 84th percentile (or within the 90th percentile confidence interval) on the assessment and meet criteria on the Emerging Potential for Gifted Assessment Checklist may meet state eligibility.

Curriculum The purpose of gifted education in MS is “to ensure that gifted children who demonstrate unusually high potential… are identified and offered an appropriate education based upon their exceptional abilities.” For grades 2-6, a class size of 12 or less is recommended. Mandated 300 minutes per week Differentiated Curriculum may be used in all classroom settings Curriculum Compacting Flexible pacing Learning Centers Problem based Learning Many other ways

Affective Needs of the Gifted The social and emotional needs of a gifted student are important too. Gifted students often struggle with Perfectionism Boredom Peer relations Self awareness Self esteem Loneliness Depression Lack of organizational skills Adjustment problems As with all students, it is important that these issues be addressed in regards to the gifted student.

The Beginning Any Questions?