Frequently Asked Questions
AIG Frequently Asked Questions
1) How can a child be placed in AIG classes?
2) What can I do to prepare my child for the aptitude test?
3) If my child does not qualify for services at the time of screening, will he/she ever have another chance?
4) If my child was receiving gifted services in another school district, does that mean he/she will automatically continue those services in Davidson County?
5) At the elementary level, will my child only receive services from the AIG teacher?
6) Is there something my child must do once he/she has been identified to continue to receive services year after year?
7) Why is the program service delivery model in middle school different from the elementary school model?
8) If I remove my child from AIG services and decide later I want him/her to receive those services, what must I do?
1) How can a child be placed in AIG classes?
2) What can I do to prepare my child for the aptitude test?
3) If my child does not qualify for services at the time of screening, will he/she ever have another chance?
4) If my child was receiving gifted services in another school district, does that mean he/she will automatically continue those services in Davidson County?
5) At the elementary level, will my child only receive services from the AIG teacher?
6) Is there something my child must do once he/she has been identified to continue to receive services year after year?
7) Why is the program service delivery model in middle school different from the elementary school model?
8) If I remove my child from AIG services and decide later I want him/her to receive those services, what must I do?
Answers
1) Q How can a child be placed in AIG classes?
A
Students qualify for AIG services based on criteria established by the Davidson County Schools Board of Education. Multiple criteria are used in this decision-making process: EOG scores, aptitude scores, grades, task performance piece, and strong teacher referrals, which are evaluated through a checklist and a narrative. The local school AIG team reviews all the criteria and determines which students are exhibiting a need for differentiation beyond the regular classroom assignments. Based on the student’s level of need, a plan for student services is developed. During the second semester of second grade, all students in Davidson County Schools are administered an aptitude test, which is used as part of the screening and identification process. Students are also reviewed for screening in grades 4-8 and may receive additional aptitude and achievement testing.
2) Q What can I do to prepare my child for the aptitude test?
A
You can make sure your child gets a good night’s rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time. No other preparation is necessary.
3) Q If my child does not qualify for services at the time of screening, will he/she ever have another chance?
A
If a student does not exhibit a need for differentiation at the time of initial screening, he/she is not excluded from future consideration. The school's Gifted Education Team reviews outstanding student work samples and can “wait and watch” for a student to indicate a need for differentiation during the next school year. If the student’s work and other criteria indicate a possible need for the next school year, the team can decide to do further testing. If those results are similar to the first, no future testing would take place until further academic performance indicates a need. In addition, the Gifted Education Team can review test results from a private psychologist, if available.
4) Q If my child was receiving gifted services in another school district, does that mean he/she will automatically continue those services in Davidson County?
A
1) Q How can a child be placed in AIG classes?
A
Students qualify for AIG services based on criteria established by the Davidson County Schools Board of Education. Multiple criteria are used in this decision-making process: EOG scores, aptitude scores, grades, task performance piece, and strong teacher referrals, which are evaluated through a checklist and a narrative. The local school AIG team reviews all the criteria and determines which students are exhibiting a need for differentiation beyond the regular classroom assignments. Based on the student’s level of need, a plan for student services is developed. During the second semester of second grade, all students in Davidson County Schools are administered an aptitude test, which is used as part of the screening and identification process. Students are also reviewed for screening in grades 4-8 and may receive additional aptitude and achievement testing.
2) Q What can I do to prepare my child for the aptitude test?
A
You can make sure your child gets a good night’s rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time. No other preparation is necessary.
3) Q If my child does not qualify for services at the time of screening, will he/she ever have another chance?
A
If a student does not exhibit a need for differentiation at the time of initial screening, he/she is not excluded from future consideration. The school's Gifted Education Team reviews outstanding student work samples and can “wait and watch” for a student to indicate a need for differentiation during the next school year. If the student’s work and other criteria indicate a possible need for the next school year, the team can decide to do further testing. If those results are similar to the first, no future testing would take place until further academic performance indicates a need. In addition, the Gifted Education Team can review test results from a private psychologist, if available.
4) Q If my child was receiving gifted services in another school district, does that mean he/she will automatically continue those services in Davidson County?
A
Each district in the state has developed a plan that provides criteria for screening, identification, and services for its students who exhibit a need for differentiation. Should a student transfer to Davidson County Schools, the local team will review data to decide what service option is needed.
5) Q At the elementary level, will my child only receive services from the AIG teacher?
A
The differentiated services are provided by both the classroom teacher and/or the AIG specialist.
6) Q Is there something my child must do once he/she has been identified to continue to receive services year after year?
A
5) Q At the elementary level, will my child only receive services from the AIG teacher?
A
The differentiated services are provided by both the classroom teacher and/or the AIG specialist.
6) Q Is there something my child must do once he/she has been identified to continue to receive services year after year?
A
Once a child is identified as AIG, they will continue to receive AIG services in Davidson County Schools until they graduate from high school. Each year, services are reviewed with the parent and student. Students will not be removed from the program unless a written request for withdrawal from the parent is received.
7) Q Why is the program service delivery model in middle school different from the elementary school model?
A
The middle school concept is different from the elementary structure. That requires different scheduling and class compositions. At the middle school level, students are in the advanced or compacted classes for which they have demonstrated a need for challenge. They receive this differentiated instruction from their subject area teacher. The middle school AIG specialist will work in collaboration with the classroom teacher to plan enrichment and extension as needed.
8) Q If I remove my child from AIG services and decide later I want him/her to receive those services, what must I do?
A
You can request the school's Gifted Education Team to review your child’s performance. They will use the multiple criteria that govern the initial placement of the student in the AIG program. If your child demonstrates a need for differentiation under these criteria, the team can provide these services. If at the time of review your child does not meet the criteria, he/she will not receive services. A student may, however, be placed on a “wait and watch” for future consideration, and this may involve additional testing to be placed back in the program.
7) Q Why is the program service delivery model in middle school different from the elementary school model?
A
The middle school concept is different from the elementary structure. That requires different scheduling and class compositions. At the middle school level, students are in the advanced or compacted classes for which they have demonstrated a need for challenge. They receive this differentiated instruction from their subject area teacher. The middle school AIG specialist will work in collaboration with the classroom teacher to plan enrichment and extension as needed.
8) Q If I remove my child from AIG services and decide later I want him/her to receive those services, what must I do?
A
You can request the school's Gifted Education Team to review your child’s performance. They will use the multiple criteria that govern the initial placement of the student in the AIG program. If your child demonstrates a need for differentiation under these criteria, the team can provide these services. If at the time of review your child does not meet the criteria, he/she will not receive services. A student may, however, be placed on a “wait and watch” for future consideration, and this may involve additional testing to be placed back in the program.