FAQs

= **Frequently Asked Questions regarding the AIG program and AIG identification ** =

**REQUIREMENTS FOR IDENTIFICATION**

Not totally. There are several qualifiers for becoming a candidate for AIG placement including: Students with a 130+ IQ will be considered for AIG placement as well. In addition, an AIG team conference is held to review behavioral/emotional scale results and teacher recommendations.
 * Can a student become AIG if he/she has an “A” average in a particular course? **
 * an overall “A” average in the subject for AIG consideration (math and/or reading/communication skills/English)
 * a 90+% proficiency on selected aptitude and/or achievement tests or test composites
 * a probationary performance period, usually for at least a semester with 85+% proficiency on AIG coursework and portfolio products

A portfolio is a major collection of critical thinking, problem-solving, creative activities involving research, writing skills, and technology that together address certain proficiencies, such as analytical writing showing a clear understanding of a novel or a problem-based learning product demonstrating mastery of a mathematical concept. The portfolio is completed both in oral and written form in its actual presentation and must follow the time line provided by the teacher. A rubric is used for scoring purposes. The student must earn at least 85% proficiency on each portfolio (reading/communication skills/English and/or math) in order to receive credit.
 * What exactly is an AIG portfolio? **

According to law, once a student is identified as “gifted,” that student cannot be “de-gifted.” Normally, the new county or state would allow the AIG student to go right into the AIG class placement automatically. However, the receiving county or state does have some discretionary power to equate what initially was used as qualifying factors in that identification process. Those qualifiers should be in line comparably with those of the receiving county or state. If there appears to be too much difference, then there should be an AIG Team conference including the parent and student in question as well as others to review the student records to determine if additional testing or a probationary period might be appropriate in determining AIG placement.
 * What happens to the AIG identification of a student who transfers __to__ another county or state? **

All efforts are made to honor that classification provided adequate documentation is available that shows that the identification from the other location is based on comparable data as the one in our county. At times, additional testing might be necessary and/or a probationary period might be encouraged.
 * What happens to the AIG identification of a student who transfers __from__ another county or state? **

No. It is possible that a student might be in the AIG class as a Talent Pool candidate or other type candidate with approval from the AIG team and principal. All AIG students have had special conferences about such classification with parent and AIG team signatures obtained on special forms resulting in NCWise entries into the county student data base.
 * If my child has been in the AIG class for a year or more, does that automatically mean that he/she is identified AIG? **

A student who is considered part of the AIG Talent Pool is one who has met the preliminary criteria for AIG identification, specifically the “A” overall average in reading/communication skills/English and/or math; a 90% or higher on accepted standardized testing, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) or the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), in the area(s) of consideration; and a satisfactory rating on the behavioral/emotional scale and teacher recommendation. A 130 IQ can also be a qualifier in itself. Once those preliminary benchmarks have been met, then a student is considered a Talent Pool candidate and is placed in the actual AIG class in the area(s) of nomination-- reading/communication skills/English and/or math. At that point, the Talent Pool candidate must demonstrate proficiency through performance-based requirements for at least one semester. These requirements include earning at least 85% proficiency in the AIG class on coursework as well as earning at least 85% proficiency on the required portfolio in the time designated. Once all those requirements are satisfactorily met, then the AIG teacher will meet with the AIG Coordinator who will review the student’s folder to verify compliance. After that has been confirmed, then the student will be officially identified as AIG. Only until all those steps have been satisfied, will a Talent Pool student receive official AIG status.
 * What is a Talent Pool student? **

**DIFFERENTIATED CLASSES & INSTRUCTION**

A DEP is an acronym for Differentiated Education Plan. A DEP must be written annually for all AIG-identified students in grades 4-12 by the student’s AIG teacher in elementary and middle school or the student’s assigned counselor in high school in a conference setting that should include the parent, the student, the teacher/counselor, and others as needed. The DEP documents such areas as specific goals to address, areas of strength and/or areas needing improvement, academic concerns, recommended ways for the student in question to investigate individual talents or interests, suggested courses for the next school year, and other related issues. The DEP provides valuable information for the next year’s AIG teacher/counselor in addressing differentiation needs appropriate for the students. AIG coursework in the AIG class will be based on the NCSCOS and will encompass both the regular core curriculum with extensions into enrichment and critical thinking activities that promote self-discovery and empowerment. A high standard of expectation for mastery will be paramount to all AIG activities.
 * What is a DEP? **
 * How will my AIG child’s education be different than another student’s? **

In most instances, the child would be assigned a regular core class for non-AIG identified subject areas. However, there is a possibility that the AIG student might qualify to be a Talent Pool candidate in the AIG class, if approved. = = He/She should be encouraged to take Advanced Placement and/or Honors’ courses.
 * If my child is only identified AIG in one area, how does it affect the rest of his/her classes? **
 * What classes should I expect my child to take in high school if he/she continues on this AIG track? **

High-school counselors and teachers advise students and their parents of course pathways. AIG students are strongly encouraged to follow the Honors/AP route. Most of the time students are recommended for certain higher-level courses by former teachers. However, as long as the course expectations are clearly understood, most students can enroll into the more challenging courses.
 * Does my child have to be identified as AIG to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) or Honors courses once he/she gets to high school? **

Yes. One of these is Duke TIP. = =
 * Are there any outside programs available to only students labeled as AIG? **


 * ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS & PERFORMANCE **

Conferences should be held to discuss the educational progress of the child and to determine if AIG is not the best educational setting. If placement needs to be adjusted, the AIG team will meet to make that determination. = = =** What happens if my child does not meet the portfolio requirements? **= Not meeting the requirements may mean that AIG is not the best placement. The AIG team will need to meet to determine the best course of action.
 * What happens if the AIG program is too much work for my child? **

A probationary period is established to give the student an opportunity to show that AIG is the best placement. However, if grades do not improve within the probationary period, the student may return to the regular educational environment with possible consultative services.
 * What happens if my AIG child’s grades fall below an 85%? **

All assignments are the responsibility of the student. Work will not be assigned that cannot be completed independently with time in class often provided for completion of many assignments. However, students are encouraged to discuss lessons, assignments, readings, etc.; and parents are encouraged to review homework, projects, etc.
 * What happens if I as a parent cannot devote additional time to AIG assignments? **

All of the information above is taken from the Brunswick County Schools' AIG and Advanced Studies site. //http://bcswan.net/education/components/faq/faq.php?sectiondetailid=16448&//