JMS Gifted Program:

Gifted identified students are served in the classroom by three models:

• Advanced  Content -maximum class size of 21; syllabus reflecting accelerated curriculum; teacher must be gifted certified.  This model is used primarily for math and language arts/reading classes.
• Cluster-maximum class size of 28; less than half of students identified as gifted; lesson plans must show differentiation for gifted students; teacher must be gifted certified; signed contract for each gifted student.  This model is also used for math and language arts/reading when there are more than 21 students who qualify for the advanced content.  Highly capable students are placed in the class with gifted students and the curriculum for the class is considered accelerated.
• Collaborative-maximum class size of 28; more than one gifted student in the class; lesson plans show differentiation for gifted students; class is taught by non-gifted certified teacher who collaborates with the gifted coordinator for planning on a bi-weekly basis-the gifted coordinator is available to come into the classroom to help with the differentiated instruction on an as-need basis; signed contract for each gifted student.  This model is used for science and social studies classes.

Screening Process:  Pickens County Schools administer the ITBS and CogAT in the fall each year for 3^rd, 5^th, and 8^th grades.  These tests are used, among other things, to screen students for the gifted program.  Students must score at or above the 90^th percentile in Reading, Math, or Composite on the ITBS, and/or the 96^th percentile on the Composite of the CogAT to qualify for further testing.  If they qualify on at least one of these criteria, we then administer the Torrance Test of Creativity and the Hawthorne Motivation Scale which both require a score of at least the 90^th percentile to qualify.

Students can be referred by their teachers or parents to be tested for the gifted program.

Gifted Links:

Georgia Department of Education: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_iap_gifted.aspx

Contact:

For more information, please contact Mrs. Lynn Burns, Gifted Coordinator

(706) 253-1760 x410  or at lynnburns@pickens.k12.ga.us