Academically Gifted and Talented Services
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Mission
The mission of gifted education is to maximize the potential of gifted and talented students by providing programs and services that match the unique characteristics and needs of these students. Programs that serve identified students seek to develop talent, provide depth of study, set an appropriate pace for instruction, integrate complexity into the curriculum, and show students how to deal with issues of significance.Identification Process
Gifted and talented students are found within all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Identification is a multi-step process. The state of South Carolina has established three dimensions as criteria for placement in the academically gifted program. Students must meet the eligibility criteria in at least two of the three dimensions.Screening/Referral/Assessment Profile
SC State-funded Academic Gifted and
Talented ProgramCriteria
Qualifying Test(s)
Administered in Lexington One
Dimension A: Reasoning Ability
93rd age percentile or higher nationally normed aptitude test
CogAT (Fall)
Dimension B: High Achievement in
Reading and/or/ Mathematical Areas
94th percentile or higher nationally normed achievement tests
**
Advanced level in Reading or Math on SC Ready
Iowa/ITBS (Fall)
IReady (Fall and Spring)
SC READY (Spring)
Dimension C: Intellectual/Academic
Performance
Eligibility:
Must first meet Dimension A or B
80% or higher - 2nd grade
90% or higher - 3rd grade**
80% or higher - 4th grade
90% or higher - 5th gradePrimary Performance Tasks assessment
(Spring)
Intermediate Performance Tasks Assessment
(Spring)
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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.
State Identification Program
The SC State-funded Academically Gifted and Talented Program requires the testing and screening of all 2nd grade students to identify those who qualify for placement in the gifted program beginning in 3rd grade. (Note: No private testing will be accepted for eligibility; however, those results may be considered for referral purposes.)
District Assessment Program
The Lexington One Assessment Program provides additional test results in grades 3 - 5 that are added to a student’s profile for additional eligibility screening. These tests include:
- CogAT— Cognitive Abilities Test
- Iowa — Iowa Assessment
- SC READY — Standards Based/College & Career Readiness Achievement Test
- South Carolina Performance Tasks
All students participate in one or more of these screening assessments annually.
Notification
Parents of students are notified by letter when:
- Qualifications are met and the student will enter the program.
- One dimension is met and the student will be involved in additional screening
Commitments to Our Gifted Learners
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Personalization
Flexibility of units to match the needs of the current student cohort
Growth Mindset Approach
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Dedicated Teachers and Staff
Lexington One Cohort for Gifted and Talented Endorsement Courses
Gifted and Talented Summit: Providing Access to National Gifted Leaders
Professional Learning: Topics from Best Practices to Social/Emotional Needs
Teacher and Parent Workshops: conducted by teachers and Central Services Coordinator
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Engaging Curriculum
Depth and Complexity: Enrichment and Acceleration Opportunities
Critical Thinking Units: William & Mary, M3 Mathematics, Inquiry units by Shelagh Gallagher/UNC
Differentiated and Personalized Learning
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Click here to learn more about the Office of Academically and Artistically Talented Programs
For specific information regarding the program in Lexington School District One, please contact:
Erin FitzGerald
Coordinator, Academically and Artistically Talented Programs
821-1062
efitzgerald@lexington1.net