The International Academy of Smyrna’s gifted program serves students who have been identified gifted under the requirements outlined by the Georgia State Department of Education Rule 160-4-2-.38.

Gifted Evaluation Process

All gifted assessments at IAS adhere to the rules and regulations established by the Georgia Department of Education.  Students are evaluated in four areas:  mental abilities, achievement, creativity, and motivation.  Nationally normed tests, rating scales, and other approved measures are used as assessment instruments. In the event that a student qualifies for evaluation, a letter seeking parental consent to test will be sent home.

Determination of Gifted Eligibility

Students may qualify to receive gifted services in two ways:

Option A: A student must meet eligibility requirements in both Mental Abilities and Achievement.

• Mental Ability: 96thpercentile (3-12) or 99th percentile (K-2) on a standardized test of mental ability – Composite Score only.
• Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery

Option B: A student must meet eligibility requirements in three of the four following areas:

• Mental Ability: 96th percentile on a standardized test of mental ability – component or composite score
• Achievement: 90th percentile in total battery, total reading, or total math section of a standardized achievement battery
• Creativity: 90th percentile / 90 percent on a creativity assessment
• Motivation: 90th percentile / 90 percent on a motivation assessment

Reciprocity

Students who have been identified as gifted in other counties in the state of Georgia will be eligible to receive gifted services at the International Academy of Smyrna upon verification of gifted eligibility.  However, there is currently no mandatory reciprocity with states and students who have been identified gifted out of state are not eligible to receive gifted services at the International Academy of Smyrna.  Scores received from assessments administered out of state can be considered for identification if they are less than two years old.