SCOPE

Smith County Gifted Education Program

The Mississippi State Department of Education defines intellectually gifted children as children and youth who are found to have an exceptionally high degree of intelligence as documented through the identification process. The Mississippi Gifted Education Act of 1989, amended in 1993, mandates that each public school district within the state provide gifted education programs in grades 2-6.

Mission Statement

The Smith County School District is committed to the motivation and guidance of gifted students through enriched, quality education programs designed to enable the gifted student to achieve their potential contributions to self and society. Smith County School District serves intellectually gifted students in the mandated grades. Each S.C.O.P.E. student receives a minimum of 4 hours gifted instruction each week.

Students are taught the following in S.C.O.P.E:

1. Higher level thinking skills

2. Creative problem solving

3. Critical thinking skills

4. Research skills

5. Teamwork skills

6. Leadership skills

7. Creative expression

Themes or units are often used to incorporate these skills into a fun and learning environment. Contracts, games, competitions, and simulations are also used to meet these overall skills. Students work in small groups, large groups, and independently on various projects each year. Students are challenged with many fun and educational activities that aim to broaden their minds.

Referral Identification Process

A student may be referred by a teacher, administrator, counselor, parent, peer, self, or any other person having reason to believe that the student may be intellectually gifted.

Referral, Identification, and Annual Reassessment Process:

1. If the student satisfactorily completes the screening process at his/her school, the assessment of the student continues.

2. Parents are notified by letter and must sign permission for testing.

3. The student must score at the 91st percentile or above on an individual intelligence test which is administered by the district psychometrist.

4. If the criteria are met, the student's records are submitted to the Eligibility Determination Team and eligibility ruling is made.

5. Parents will then be notified by letter if the student has been approved as eligible for the intellectually gifted program.

6. Students are reassessed annually. A copy of this annual reassessment report is placed in the student's eligibility folder.

7. If upon reassessment, it is recommended that a student be removed from the program the parents will be notified. A conference will be scheduled and parents will be advised of their right to appeal the decision.

When a student transfers to our school district from a school within the state, a copy of the eligibility ruling must be sent to the Curriculum Office. After review, appropriate placement will be made following parental permission.

Out-of-state transfers are subject to the Smith County School District's referral process.

Students attend S.C.O.P.E. classes for a minimum of 4 hours each week. Students usually attend one morning and one afternoon each week.

Mississippi Association for Gifted Children

This organization is the forerunner of Gifted Education in the state of Mississippi.

MAGC holds an annual meeting in the fall for parents, teachers, and administrators of gifted children. MAGC also has a Parent Organization that parents of gifted children may join. Please contact MAGC for more information at MAGC, P. O. Box 3545, Jackson, MS 39207 or www. msms.k12. ms. us/MAGC

Smith County School District supports MAGC by sending their Gifted Ed. teachers to the annual meeting each year. S.C.O.P.E. teachers are members of MAGC.

Gifted resources are available at each school for parents to check out. Call the school office for more information