Academically/Intellectually Gifted

"To identify and serve gifted students from all demographics and student populations requires the commitment of educators throughout the entire school system.  Teachers must be aware of the unique packaging of gifts that all students bring to the classroom."
-Paul Slocumb

Contact Information:

Central Office Staff

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Goals for RCSS AIG Program

RCSS AIG Program Goals:
*Implement a consistent screening, referral, and identification process to ensure equity andexcellence across all grade levels.
*Utilize multiple sources of data for students, particularly under-represented populations of students, to create learner profiles that reflect students’ strengths, talents, and potential giftedness.
*Provide a variety of program services that meet the unique, individual academic, intellectual, and social and emotional earning needs of gifted learners.
*Utilize multiple sources of both summative and formative assessment data to cluster and flexibly group students for instruction.
*Implement evidence-based curriculum strategies, resources, and practices that are equitable, rigorous, and challenging for gifted, as well as all, students.
*Build the capacity of all teachers of gifted learners to differentiate instruction in order to accelerate and extend students’ learning beyond mastery of grade level standards.
*Build the capacity of all personnel working with gifted learners to meet the academic, intellectual, and social and emotional needs of identified students by providing professional learning opportunities that focus on equity and evidence-based best practices and strategies.
*Promote enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities that align with the needs of gifted learners and enhance the goals of the local AIG plan.
*Implement a K-12 Talent Development Continuum for all students.
*Increase opportunities for AIG Specialists to participate in collaborative teams (e.g., Professional Learning Communities, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) in order to advocate for gifted learners.
*Increase the number of certified staff who earn an add-on AIG license or local AIG endorsement.
*Continue to grow partnerships with institutes of higher education and other community businesses and organizations that enhance and align with the local AIG program goals.
*Implement the RCSS AIG Plan 2022-2025 to fidelity.
*Elicits regular feedback from students, parents/guardians, teachers, and other stakeholders.
*Safeguards the rights of all AIG students and their parents/guardians through established written policies, procedures, and practices.

Documents and Links

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does it mean to be “gifted”? Academically or intellectually gifted students perform or show potential to perform at high levels of achievement when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Academically gifted students require differentiated education services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program.

2. At what grade level are most students admitted into the AIG program? Most students enter the program during third grade. Students who demonstrate an extreme need for differentiation can be identified in grades K-12.

3. Is it possible for a child to place out of AIG? It is recommended that in cases where there is evidence that a gifted student’s performance is below expectations, that a team including teachers, counselors, principals, parents and students will meet to determine if a change in service is in the best interest of the student. After reviewing the options available, the team will make changes to the DEP or develop an Individualized Education Plan which addresses the needs of the student and specifies the academic support and/or intervention that will be put into action to help assure success for the student.

4. How are AIG students served in high school? Students self-select Honors and Advanced Placement Courses in high school and these classes are noted on their annual Differentiated Education Plan. 

5. If my child was receiving gifted services in another school district, does that mean he/she will automatically continue? Students transferring into RCSS identified as gifted will receive a 30 day temporary placement into the gifted program. During this time student records will be reviewed to determine if the student meetings the RCSS criteria for gifted services. 

RCSS Approved Tests

Parent and Community Involvement

Enhancing student achievement through collaboration among educators, administrators, parents and community is a shared goal of the Randolph County School System and the Gifted Education Program.

Communication Strategies

• AIG Team chairpersons and gifted education teachers will hold informational meetings to help their faculties and parents understand the implementation of the plan at their school.
•  A Gifted Education Program brochure will be published for parents in order to provide written, accurate information about the AIG program options.
•  An AIG web page on the Randolph County School System website will provide information on the components of the gifted program as well as showcase student enrichment opportunities.
• Individual schools will host parent nights to highlight student achievement and afford parents opportunities to interact with the learning environment.

Community Outreach Efforts

• A parent survey will be conducted annually to identify areas of strength and need in the AIG program design and implementation procedures.
• Parent conferences will be scheduled annually to review students’ Differentiated Education Plans (DEP)/Individual Differentiation Educational Plans (IDEP). Parents are encouraged to provide feedback and to help establish any interventions that need to be implemented.
• School business partners will be informed and encouraged to support program activities and goals.
• The AIG Program Specialist will continue to provide information to AIG teachers for parents about local workshops and opportunities sponsored by other organizations related to gifted issues.
• Forms and other AIG student/parent information will be provided in Spanish and any other language as the need arises.
• The AIG Director and Program Specialist will work with local and state advocacy groups such as the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT) and Parents for the Advancement of Gifted Education (PAGE) to gather and share information about local, state, and national issues in gifted education.

Summer Opportunities