MISSION
The mission of our gifted education program is to maximize the potential of gifted and talented students by providing learning opportunities and experiences that match the unique characteristics and needs of these students.

WHO ARE THE GIFTED/TALENTED STUDENTS?
The following description of the identification process reflects the South Carolina definition of gifted and talented and is in keeping with the National Excellence Report (1995) which states: 

Children and youth with outstanding talent perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. [They] exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas, possess an unusual leadership capacity, or excel in specific academic fields. They require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools. Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENT?

• Learns easily and rapidly

• Thinks clearly, recognizes implied relationships, comprehends meanings

• Reads on the average of two years above grade level

• Retains what she/he has heard or read without appearing to need much rote or drill

• Possesses a large vocabulary

• Exhibits independence, individualism, and self-sufficiency

• Demonstrates a curious and investigative nature

• Asks penetrating, searching questions

• Focuses intently on areas of interest

• Produces original products or ideas

• Prefers complex ideas

WHY ARE GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS IDENTIFIED? 
The purposes of the identification process are (1) to find students who display characteristics of the gifted and talented (i.e., ability or potential for high performance in academic areas); (2) to assess the aptitudes, attributes, and behaviors of each student; (3) to evaluate each student for the purpose of placement; and (4) to provide appropriate academic programs and experiences to meet their needs.

DO I NEED TO NOMINATE MY CHILD FOR GIFTED/TALENTED EVALUATION?
Nominations are not necessary for 2nd grade students since every student is tested and screened in 2nd grade. Parents of 3rd through 8th grade students who have demonstrated ability or potential for high performance in academic areas may refer their child for screening by completing a referral form available in the school office. Please return nomination forms to the main office at your child's school.

HOW DOES A STUDENT QUALIFY FOR GIFTED/TALENTED PROGRAMS?
Gifted and talented students may be found within any racial, ethnic, or socio-economic group; within any nationality; within both genders; and within populations with disabilities. Identification is a multi-step process, which consists of referral, screening, and assessment of eligibility by a district evaluation and placement team. The state of South Carolina has established three dimensions of giftedness as criteria for placement in the academically gifted program. In order to qualify for placement in gifted/talented programs, a student must meet the eligibility criteria in two of the following three dimensions.  

State Screening/Assessment

Dimension A - Aptitude
Students must obtain a composite score or a subtest score at or above the 93rd national age percentile on a nationally normed aptitude test (Cognitive Abilities Test - CogAT).  A composite score of 96 or higher is acceptable as the sole criterion for placement. This assessment is administered during late October to early November. Two-year old scores may be used.

Dimension B - Achievement
Students must score at or above the 94th national percentile on a nationally normed achievement test (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - ITBS or Measures of Academic Progress - MAP) in reading comprehension and/or mathematical concepts and problem solving or achieve a qualifying score on English/Language Arts and/or Math on the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) administered in May. The ITBS will be administered in late October to early November, and the initial assessment of MAP of the current school year will be used. The most recent ITBS and PASS scores are used.

Dimension C - Academic Performance
Students in grades 2 or 4 meeting the criteria in Dimension A or B but not both take Performance Tasks. Students in grades 3 or 5 meeting the criteria in Dimension A or B but not both take Performance Tasks if they did not take them in grades 2 or 4 respectively. Students may take the Performance Tasks once at the Primary Level and once at the Intermediate Level. The performance standard for the Primary Level is sixteen on either the verbal or nonverbal assessments for placement in grade 3 and eighteen on either the verbal or nonverbal assessments for placement in grade 4. The performance standard for the Intermediate Level is sixteen on the verbal or twenty-two on the nonverbal for placement in grade 5 and eighteen on the verbal or twenty-five on the nonverbal for placement in grade 6. The Performance Tasks are administered in February to early March. For placement in grades 6 and above, an end of year grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale in Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies is needed. 

*No private testing will be accepted for eligibility, but the results may be considered for referral purposes. 

WHEN WILL PARENTS BE NOTIFIED?
Parent notification letters will be mailed for students who are eligible or ineligible upon completion of the screening process by the Evaluation and Placement Committee. Parent notification will begin in February after CogAT, Iowa Tests, and MAP screening and will continue through June. Performance Tasks and SCReady results will be reviewed as soon as received. 

HOW ARE THE NEEDS OF THE GIFTED/TALENTED STUDENTS MET?
Special Classes – Language Arts and/or Math in grades 3-7, the special classes deliver services to identified students through rigorous and accelerated Language Arts and/or Math classes. In addition, services are provided to students in grades 6-8 in Science and Social Studies classes. In grades 8-12, students are served through Honors classes and/or Advanced Placement classes. 

For specific information regarding the program in Lexington School District Three, please contact:

Mr. Jeff Potts
Director of Accountability and Assessment
Lexington School District Three
338 West Columbia Avenue
Batesburg-Leesville, S.C. 29006
(803) 532-1742

Lexington School District Three Schools - Serving Gifted and Talented Students

• Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School

• Batesburg-Leesville Middle School

• Batesburg-Leesville High School

• G-T Criteria Brochure