Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the process for identification and AIG service?

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How does Pitt County Schools identify gifted students? 

PCS provides services in 1 major area; AIG Curriculum - Students identified AI, AG, AR, AM, and IG Very Strong are served through the AIG Curriculum. Provided is a link to the Quick ID and Service Options Guide.

• IG Strong are served through GO GROW activities.  
• Both Reading and Math AIG support services are a school based decision.
• Gifted identification are based on 3 main factors; Aptitude, Achievement  (reading or math), and Grades.

When qualifying students for gifted services, PCS utilizes aptitude, achievement, and grades to identify areas of giftedness. These scores are entered into the Multiple Criteria Indicator (MCI) to determine a score. A total composite MCI score for identification is based on an average score of 90 in both aptitude and achievement plus points for grades in core content subject areas.  The higher the score in achievement, the lower the score can be for aptitude. The minimum score in either aptitude or achievement is 80 in order for a child to qualify for AI, AG, AM, or AR gifted services. The following definitions and criteria are used for each area of giftedness:

Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AI/AG)

Academically or intellectually gifted students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both the intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

Criteria for Qualifying as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AI/AG):

• MCI = 368
  • MCI Total Score = (Aptitude (doubled) + Achievement (math and reading) + Final Grades) That is an average score of (180 + 90 + 90 + 8 = 368)
  • Point value for grades:  A = 3 and B = 2  
  • Grade points are awarded from the 4 core subject areas: reading, math, science, and social study course work. 4 x 2 = 8 (4 Bs x 2 points each = 8 points)

Academically Gifted in Math (AM) / Academically Gifted in Reading (AR)

Academically Gifted in Math (AM) - PCS defines this area as those students that possess high aptitude and demonstrate outstanding performance in mathematics over the course of the academic year. These students require differentiated learning opportunities beyond the basic standard course of study. Examples include, but are not limited to, subject acceleration, curriculum compacting, and/or clustering in regular education classrooms.

Academically Gifted in Reading (AR) - PCS defines this area as those students that possess high aptitude and demonstrate outstanding performance in reading over the course of the academic year. These students require differentiated learning opportunities beyond the basic standard course of study. Examples include, but are not limited to, subject acceleration, curriculum compacting, and/or clustering in regular education classrooms.

Criteria for Qualifying as Academically Gifted in Math (AM) or Reading (AR):

• Very Strong - MCI = 193
  • MCI Total Score = (Aptitude + Achievement (math OR reading) + Grades) That is an average score of (95 + 95 + 3 = 193)
  • Point value for grades:  A = 3 and B = 2  
  • Grade points are used from the subject area in which the student is being considered for qualification (math or reading).
• Strong -  MCI = 183
  • MCI Total Score = (Aptitude + Achievement (math OR reading) + Grades) That is an average score of (90 + 90 + 3 = 183)
  • Point value for grades:  A = 3 and B = 2  
  • Grade points are awarded from either the math or reading subject area

Intellectually Gifted (IG)

PCS defines intellectual giftedness as having ability significantly higher than his/her same age peers as denoted by a score of 95% or higher in one or more areas of a nationally normed aptitude test, yet failing to demonstrate advanced academic achievement.

Criteria for Qualifying as Intellectually Gifted (IG):

• Very Strong -  95% total composite on Aptitude testing = (95 points or higher on MCI) -

• Strong - (MCI Total Score = Aptitude score (95%) based on any of the 3 subtest (verbal, non verbal, or quantitative) score using the CogAT test - OR - other comparable subscores of an aptitude testWhat are the Myths about gifted students? Click "here" to access a complete document