Gifted Education Program Overview

Intellectually gifted is defined in Mississippi public schools as having an individual IQ test score above the 90th percentile. An IQ of this level indicates superior intelligence. Only 5% of the population has an IQ of 120 or above.

IQ (intelligence quotient) is the ration of mental age divided by chronological age multiplied by 100. This is measured on an intelligence test. IQ’s may range from 0 to 200. The average IQ is 100.

Talk with your child’s teacher about their observations and your child’s performance levels. Students need to be strong academically since they will be missing a day of instruction each week if they are placed in the Gifted Education Program. 

Contact the Gifted Education Program teacher at your child’s school to receive a Gifted Referral Form.

A good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast are the only preparation necessary.

Your child may be tested on any school day prior to the Local Survey Committee meeting. Your child may be pulled for testing multiple times since there are several assessments to be administered.

Absences will be made up prior to the LSC meeting.

No, student moving to Mississippi with a gifted eligibility from another state must satisfy Mississippi eligibility criteria before being considered for placement in the gifted program. 

The eligibility ruling from another state may be used to initiate the referral to placement process. There is no temporary placement in the gifted program while the student goes through the eligibility process within the district.

Once a student is determined eligible for the gifted program in Mississippi, no reevaluation testing is required to remain in the program. Although criteria may vary from district to district, an eligible determination is accepted by all school districts within the State of Mississippi.

A Local Survey Committee chaired by a certified gifted education teacher and including the school administrator, general education teachers, counselor and exceptional education teacher (if, applicable) from your child’s school analyzes the data and makes a professional decision on the placement of students. 

A student is recommended for services based on a preponderance of data indicating an educational need beyond what the regular classroom can provide.

• Information considered by the committee includes: 
• Referral form 
• Nonverbal Ability Test Score
• Teacher rating scales regarding observations of gifted characteristics in six different domains indicating a need for gifted services (Intellectual, Academic, Creativity, Artistic, Leadership, and Motivation scores)
• IQ Test Score

The notification regarding the placement decision will be sent home with your child in a sealed envelope. If you have more questions or concerns, you should contact the GEP office to schedule a conference. Students’ scores will not be shared via email or over the phone.

Testing accommodations as noted in the IEP or 504 Plan will be followed for all testing performed by the gifted education Program staff. Be sure to indicate on the referral if your child has an IEP or 504 Plan so we are aware and can make the appropriate accommodations. 

Yes, but he/she cannot be tested again for a year due to test validity. Either the parent or teacher will need to submit a new referral after a year has passed. 

At second through fifth grades, students attend “pull-out” classes one day per week or two half days per week with grade level peers in the Gifted Education Program classroom at their school.

In sixth grade, gifted services are provided as scheduled during the elective class block at their school.

No, students are not required to retest to remain in the program. A student’s continuance is based on their performance while in the program. It is on-going performance-based assessment.

Accelerated (AC), Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment (DC/DE) and Advanced Placement (AP).