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RIVERS CHALLENGE PROGRAM BASICS
Rivers Challenge offers flexible school based programs designed to enhance the development of students' academic talents, intellectual abilities, life skill experiences, and avocational interests. Rivers' Gifted and Talented Program services are available to students meeting Placement Criteria in the First through Fifth Grades.
Rivers Challenge provides instructional activities designed to develop and demonstrate students' advance skills in: Communication, Critical Thinking, Research and Reference, Creativity
Many observations contribute to the discovery of each student's gifts and talents in the Challenge Program's Identification Process. Parents are encouraged to meet with classroom teachers, Challenge staff, and local school administrators to discuss relevant information supporting Eligibility and Placement decisions.
The APS Gifted Identification Process begins in Kindergarten. Challenge Identification and Placement utilizes three processes: Referral, Evaluation, Eligibility
Referral to the Gifted Program is supported by teachers, parents, fellow students, and a staff review and evaluation of state and system wide tests scores.
Evaluation of a referred student's mental ability, achievement, creativity, and motivation are, in part, assessed using nationally normed group tests of Mental Abilities -- CogAT -- and Achievement -- TERRA NOVA -- OR -- Iowa Test of Basic Skills, grade point averages, surveys, and teacher assessment scales. Written parental consent must be obtained prior to any program evaluation. See the Table of Evaluation Procedures below.
Eligibility decisions regarding a student's placement in the Challenge Program follow State Department of Education evaluation guidelines. Students' parents are notified in writing of eligibility decisions.
Eligibility and Placement in the Challenge Program are based upon four criteria:
Ability, Achievement, Motivation, Creativity
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Eligibility decisions place students in one of four categories.
Reciprocity - Eligibility is based upon accepted data collected from other Georgia school systems.
Mental Ability - Mental Ability scores of 99th Percentile for Grades K-2 -- or -- 96th to 99th Percentile rankings for Grades 3-12 are met with qualifying Achievement Score of 90th Percentile or greater.
Multiple Criteria - Three of Four Qualifying Criteria are established using evaluation guidelines.
Ineligible - Current Challenge Placement is not supported by available data and assessments.
Formal and scheduled assessment in the APS Multiple Criteria Gifted Identification Process is initiated in the Fall and Spring of each school year.
The Challenge Identification and Placement Processes typically complete within the full course of a school year. Students eligible for Challenge Services during one school year may enter Challenge Classes for the first time the following school year
Students not eligible for Challenge Placement within one year following initial referral continue in the observation and evaluation process for an additional year. Second cycle referral decisions are considered with parental approval.