Gifted and talented students are found within all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Identification is a multi-step process. The state of South Carolina has established three dimensions as criteria for placement in the academically gifted program. Students must meet the eligibility criteria in at least two of the three dimensions.
State Criteria for Identification
Students in grades second through fifth must meet two out of three qualifying dimensions.
Dimension A: Aptitude (Ravens and CogAT)
- Students must score at or above the 93 age-related percentile on a nationally normed test.
OR
- Students may be eligible for placement based on the aptitude scores alone if they score at or above the 96th percentile on the total score for third grade and up. Second grade needs a score at or above the 98th percentile. All second graders take the CogAT.
Dimension B: Achievement (MAP, Iowa, SC Ready)
- All students must score at above the 94th percentile in Dimension B.
- All students will take Fall MAP: 1st and 2nd graders will take Spring MAP; 3rd graders will take Spring MAP (reading only). In addition, second graders will take the IOWA.
- SC Ready scores are dictated by the State Department of Ed each year.
Dimension C: Performance
Students in grades 2–5 may take the Performance Task Test (SCPTA) in the spring. The qualifying score varies depending on the grade level and year.
