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Advanced Learning director outlines AIG services, funding cap and testing responsibilities
Summary
Dr. Abernathy briefed the board on the academically/intellectually gifted (AIG) program size, funding limits, screening pathways and testing/assessment responsibilities managed by the department.
Dr. Abernathy presented an overview of the Testing and Accountability and Advanced Learning departments, including how AIG services are identified and funded.
She told the board the district’s total enrollment is about 11,077 students (per the most recent PMR) and that the AIG department serves 2,174 students K–12, about 19.6% of enrollment. She noted the state funds AIG at a capped 4% and that the district’s actual AIG population exceeds the funded cap, meaning the district supplements services with local funds and grants; she described last year’s annual AIG budget as $658,729.
Dr. Abernathy explained the three local placement pathways used for AIG identification: (1) a 97th-percentile cut on achievement tests (EOG, BOG, Iowa achievement) or aptitude (CogAT); (2) a combination of achievement/aptitude thresholds and teacher-rated (TRS) criteria; and (3) a revised portfolio/equity pathway that uses a broader set of local measures (STAR assessments, grades, motivational scale) to identify students who come close to thresholds.
She described supports for AIG students — differentiated education plans (DEPs) for third through 12th graders, an annual plan review, DEP transition meetings for middle- and high-school moves, and a local endorsement Canvas course for teachers new to AIG instruction; she said the district runs a STEAM Academy in partnership with Western Piedmont Community College and provides AP and NCVPS course access for high-school students. She also described testing and accountability responsibilities: the department administers state assessments (BOG, EOGs, end-of-course tests), ACT/preACT/WorkKeys and alternate assessments as appropriate, manages online test platforms, trains school test coordinators and audits testing data and security.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the funding cap and testing platform outages; Dr. Abernathy said AIG funding is capped at 4% by the state and that the district used local funds and grants to serve additional identified students. She also described a recent statewide ACT platform outage that led to a temporary test-day suspension and later makeup options.
