VIVA ART REFERRAL PROCESS

There are six steps in the gifted identification process.

STEP 1: REFERRAL

An individual with documented expertise in the visual arts certifies that the student is in the top 10% of peers in ability using one of the following measures:

  • A published checklist of creativity or norm-referenced test of creativity.
  • A published checklist of characteristics for the visual arts or published checklist of ability in the visual arts.
  • Demonstrated individual accomplishment in the visual arts such as recognition at the state level or above.
  • A portfolio of student’s work evaluated using a rubric.
  • Other indicators of an exceptionally high degree of ability in the visual arts.

STEP 2: LSC REVIEW OF REFERRAL DATA

The LSC convenes and makes a determination.

  • The student satisfies minimal criteria on at least two measures and should move forward.
  • The student does not satisfy minimal criteria on at least two measures but LSC feels additional data should be collected and the student reconsidered.
  • The student does not satisfy minimal criteria on at least two measures and the identification process stops.

STEP 3: PARENTAL PERMISSION FOR TESTING

Parental permission for testing is obtained.  Parents are notified of their rights under the Family Education and Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

STEP 4: ASSESSMENT

The student must satisfy at least two categories of assessment measures (one measure must be a measure of creativity).

  • A published checklist or test of creativity with score at least at or above the superior range.
  • A published checklist of characteristics or test of ability for the visual arts with a score at least at or above the superior range.
  • A portfolio of student’s art work evaluated using a rubric by an individual whose main source of income comes from working in the visual arts and certifies in writing that the student’s creativity and ability in the visual arts places him/her in the top 5% of peers.

Individual Audition:

Students meeting criteria will complete an individual audition before a panel of experts.  The panel of experts must have advanced degrees in visual arts or must work in the area of visual arts.

Each member of the panel must certify in writing that the student’s creativity and ability in the visual arts places him/her in the top 5% of peers.

STEP 5: ASSESSMENT REPORT

District personnel shall write an Assessment Report, which must contain components required by the Mississippi Department of Education

STEP 6: LSC ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION

The LSC convenes and makes the final determination of eligibility.

District personnel will notify parents of the results in writing. Parents are also notified in writing about their rights under FERPA.  District personnel are willing to explain any of the results to parents if they should have questions.

Once a student is ruled eligible for placement in the gifted program, the parent has the right to agree to placement or withhold placement of the child in the program. Written parental permission must be obtained before the child can be placed in the program.

* LSC shall include, but is not limited to, gifted education teachers and administrators.  It may also include regular education teachers, school psychologists or psychometrists, and parents.  It should include a special education teacher when a student is being considered for eligibility under the twice-exceptional criteria.