REACH: Relishing Education And Conquering Heights
Program for Gifted Students K-12
"A gifted student is one who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and/or creative ability(ies), exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation and/or excels in specific academic field(s) and needs special instruction and/or ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities."
Education Program for Gifted Students State Rule 160-4-2-.38, effective August, 1998
What is the REACH Program?
REACH provides differentiated instructional services in core academic content areas to eligible Coweta County School System students in grades K-12. These services are based upon the system's aligned curriculum and checkpoints, with instruction presented in an accelerated and interdisciplinary fashion. At least five (5) segments of differentiated instruction weekly (or its annual equivalent) are available for eligible students. To continue receiving gifted services, the student must maintain an overall "B" (80) average in the subjects of mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and foreign language, if such language study is included in the student's records. The student must also maintain a "C" (71) average in each gifted class attempted. In grades 6-12, the student must also have no semester grade below a "C" (71).
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Type of Class |
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Grades K-5 |
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Interdisciplinary Thematic Units Cluster grouping within regular class
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Resource or Collaborative Teaching
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Grades 6-8 |
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Language Arts/Reading Literature and/or Science
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Resource or Advanced Content Cluster
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Grades 9-12 |
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English and/or Social Studies Advanced Academic Courses
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9th/10th Resource
11th/12th Advanced Content and/or
Advanced Placement and/or Resource
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The provision of gifted education services depends upon: students needs, availability of certified staff, the school's overall instructional schedule and System resources.
Each teacher of the gifted is responsible for the implementation of all REACH program procedures in his/her assigned school.
Inquiries about services should be directed to the principal or to a teacher of the gifted at the appropriate school.
Eligibility Criteria:
Coweta County School System administrative procedures are designed to ensure a fair and valid evaluation process. All procedures are in full compliance with the state's eligibility criteria.
Evaluation results are reviewed by the School Eligibility Team, System staff and, if warranted, by a System Eligibility Team.
Scores are considered current for two (2) calendar years. All scores are derived to yield percentile by age.
To be eligible for gifted education services, a student must either:
- Score at the 99th percentile (for grades K-2) OR the 96th percentile (for grades 3-12) on the composite or full scale score of a standardized test of mental ability AND score equal to or greater than the 90th percentile on the total battery, total math, or total reading section(s) of a standardized achievement test.
- Qualify through a multiple-criteria assessment process by meeting the criteria in any three of the following four areas: mental ability (intelligence), achievement, creativity, and motivation.
Composite mental ability
Score =>96 percentile by age
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If a student’s composite mental ability score is greater than the 94th percentile, but less than the 96th percentile standard, AND he/she meets one or more of the other established criteria, then further mental ability testing will be administered. |
| Achievement (Total Reading, Total Math, or Total battery) =>90 percentile |
Use most recent ITBS or Stanford scores. If none are available, administer appropriate achievement tests.
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| Creativity score=>90 percentile |
A Renzulli for Creativity will be completed, and if needed, the student will complete an appropriate self-rating scale (GIFT or GIFFI).**
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| Motivation score =>90 percentile |
Methods used vary by grade level: Renzulli for Motivation , CAIMI or GPA.**
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**In special cases, the submission of a product or performance may be substituted in the areas of creativity and motivation upon approval of the Eligibility Team. Students may not be placed using 2 Renzulli Scales.
Referrals
Gifted Referral Period:
August* -- 1st-12th grade students new to the Coweta County School System
October* -- 2nd Grade, Middle School, and High School Open Referral Period
January* -- Referrals for first grade and students new to the Coweta County School System since December
March* -- Kindergarten, Middle School, and High School Referral Period
* Check with the teacher of the gifted at the local school for exact referral period dates during the referral months
Students in other grades are reconsidered for REACH based on the county-wide testing schedule.
Referrals may be made by a teacher, parent/guardian, counselor, or by the student during the above periods.
Students who were considered for REACH during the previous school year and found not eligible will be reconsidered this year. Teachers of the gifted will review prior eligibility data and consider updated scores available. If additional evaluation is needed or if the student becomes eligible, the parent will be notified.
Scores from group test administrations (ITBS, Stanford, and CogAT in select grades) are reviewed annually by teachers of the gifted. Any student who has tests scores at or above the state's eligibility criteria is noted for possible consideration.
Reciprocity within the state of Georgia: State law provides for automatic reciprocity for students who were eligible and placed in the gifted program in another Georgia system. Upon receipt of appropriate records, the student may begin receiving services in Coweta County. (There is no automatic reciprocity for students served in other states; however, these students may be referred for consideration of eligibility upon their enrollment in the Coweta County School System.)
Completion of Referral Process
Once a student is referred, the parent/guardian is notified and must give written consent for an evaluation.
An evaluation is conducted to measure each of the four (4) criteria:
Mental Ability, Achievement, Creativity, Motivation
Standardized, system administered evaluation tools are used.
Program for Gifted Students K-12 Coordinator: 
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Coweta County School System
Gifted Education / REACH
167 Werz Industrial Drive
Newnan, Georgia 30263
Inquiries about services should be directed to the principal or to a teacher of the gifted at the appropriate school.
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