Q. What law created Gifted Programs in North Carolina?

A. North Carolina has had legislation governing gifted education since 1961. New legislation for gifted education was passed in 1996, resulting in Article 9B, Academically or Intellectually Gifted Students (N.C.G.S.&115C.5-8(Article 9B)

Q. What is the State definition of academically or intellectually gifted?

A.AIG students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. AIG students should be performing two years above their current grade-level assignment.

Q. When are students identified as AIG in Public Schools of Robeson County?

A. The AIG Program recommends high-performing Kindergarten through second grade students be served through the Talent Development Program. Data used to determine placement in the this program includes K-2 Assessment ratings and teacher/parent recommendation. Third through twelfth graders who demonstrate advanced abilities, high motivation, and receive teacher/parent recommendations may be evaluated/screened and possibly tested. It is the responsibility of the school’s AIG teacher to determine if a student meets the criteria for testing.

Q. Which aptitude and/or achievement tests are given in the identification process?

A. The Public Schools of Robeson County uses the Iowa Test of Basic Skills for achievement and CogAT for aptitude.

Q. What criteria besides aptitude and achievement are used in the identification process?

A. The Public Schools of Robeson County uses multiple criteria as required by law to identify students. We use classroom performance, teacher rating scales in academics (reading and math), motivation, learning, and leadership, and interest inventories from students and parents.

Q. What AIG curriculum do you use?

A. There is no specific AIG curriculum. The LEA adapts the NC Standard Course of Study according to abilities, readiness, interests, and learning profiles, K-12. There are research-based materials available and used by each AIG teacher.

Q. What are the licensure requirements for teachers of the gifted?

A. If an AIG teacher is paid from State AIG funds, he/she must have AIG certification.

Q. Are any AIG services offered in grades K-2?

A. Yes. The LEA provides a “Talent Development Program” in grades K-2 which serves students who have the potential for academic or intellectual giftedness.

Q. How are parents notified of their child’s participation in the nurturing program or the AIG program?

A. Parents are notified by the AIG teacher at each school if their child has been chosen to participate in the Talent Development Program in K-2.

In 3-12, parents are invited to a meeting with the AIG teacher at the school to discuss identification and services for their child.

Q. How are AIG referrals handled?

A. Students may be referred for the AIG program by their teachers, parents, by another person, or by themselves.

The school’s AIG teacher collects data on the student to determine whether the student meets the criteria for identification.

Testing is done if 3 out of 4 areas are met.

Q. What about students who transfer in from another school system?

A. Students must meet the Public Schools of Robeson County identification criteria.