Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Overview

Identifying, Serving, Enriching, and Supporting Gifted Learners in Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is committed to empowering exceptional learners to thrive academically and creatively. Through our Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, we provide enriched learning experiences for students in grades K–12 who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability or creative talent. These opportunities—available in all traditional APS schools—are designed to challenge, inspire, and nurture each child’s unique strengths. Students are identified through a state-approved process that evaluates mental ability, academic achievement, creativity, and motivation, ensuring every gifted learner receives the right level of support.

Our Vision

Gifted and Talented Education in Atlanta Public Schools will architect globally competitive, critical, and creative thinkers of the 21st Century.

Our Mission

Through advocacy and innovation, the unique needs of gifted and talented students will be recognized,valued, and nurtured so their inspired minds are equipped to change the world.

Gifted and Talented Education in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) provides differentiated instruction for intellectually advanced and creatively gifted students. Gifted services are available for actively enrolled students in kindergarten through twelfth grade in an APS school. Note that students residing in the city of Atlanta enrolled in private schools or home study programs are not eligible for APS gifted testing and services.

Parent FAQs on the Gifted Eligibility Process and the Assessments Used

What is Gifted and Talented Education?

What opportunities are available for gifted learners?

In addition to advanced learning in the classroom, APS offers several enrichment opportunities to help gifted students explore their interests and strengths. Programs like STEAMPosium, Middle School Academic Bowl, Georgia Academic Decathlon, internships and mentorships, and the Xanadu Summer Program allow students to think creatively, develop leadership skills, and challenge themselves in exciting and meaningful ways.

Who oversees gifted education in Georgia's public schools?

The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Gifted Education & Advanced Academics division oversees gifted services across the state of Georgia It ensures that laws and regulations pertaining to education are followed and that state and federal money appropriated for education is properly allocated to local school systems. GaDOE provides education-related information to students, parents, teachers, educational staff, governmental officials and the media.

How are standards updated?

Where can I get support to help my gifted student?

Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) established guidelines for SENG-Model Parent Support Groups. SENG Model Parent Groups are structured to bring together interested parents of gifted and talented children to discuss such topics as motivation, discipline, stress management, and peer relationships. The co-facilitators of the group, though they are knowledgeable about parenting and about educating gifted/talented children, provide a non-judgmental and nurturing atmosphere that fosters learning and support.

The Council for Exceptional Children(CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and /or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. Listed below are some of the services that are provided.

1. Professional development opportunities and resources

2. 17 divisions for specialized information

3. Journals and newsletters with information on new research findings, classroom practices that work, federal legislation and policies.

4. Conventions and conferences

MENSA is an organization that believes in the idea of forming a society of bright people. Mensa aspires to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The Society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population. Mensa strives to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research into the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.

Welcome Letter

Welcome to GATE at Benteen!

Welcome to a new and exciting school year with Gifted & Talent Development! I am Iris Marsh, and I am thrilled to be your students Gifted and Talent Development teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. This year Benteen will be implementing the gifted Resource Model. In previous years Benteen carried out the Collaborative Gifted Model, which allowed me to see all students in the building. Moving forward, I will pull my gifted students for all day instruction. During this time students will be engaged in the APS gifted standards and Units; along with Georgia Content Standards.

Please remember that all students are talented and gifted in their own way! And even though all students won’t visit my class, I will still visit classrooms to introduce students to new skills and concepts. I am eager to have a successful and productive year of teaching and learning with all of you. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me!

Iris Marsh
iris.marsh@apsk12.org
404-802-7326

Referral, Assessment, and Eligibility

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo y emocionante año escolar con el Programa de Desarrollo para Estudiantes Dotados y Talentosos!

Soy Iris Marsh y estoy muy emocionada de ser la maestra Estudiantes Dotados y Talentosos de sus hijos durante el año escolar 2026–2027. Este año, la Escuela Benteen implementará el Modelo de Recursos para EstudiantesTalentoso. En años anteriores, Benteen utilizó el Modelo Colaborativo para Estudiantes Talentoso, lo que me permitió trabajar con todos los estudiantes de la escuela. A partir de este año, retiraré a mis estudiantes identificados como talentoso de sus clases regulares para brindarles instrucción durante toda la jornada escolar. Durante este tiempo, los estudiantes participarán en actividades y lecciones alineadas con los estándares y unidades del Programa para Estudiantes Talentoso de APS, además de los Estándares de Contenido del Estado de Georgia.

¡Recuerden que todos los estudiantes son talentosos y tienen dones únicos a su manera! Aunque no todos los estudiantes asistirán a mi clase, continuaré visitando los salones para presentarles nuevas habilidades y conceptos. Estoy muy entusiasmada por tener un año escolar exitoso y productivo de enseñanza y aprendizaje con todos ustedes. Si tienen alguna pregunta o inquietud, no duden en comunicarse conmigo. ¡Será un placer ayudarles!

Iris Marsh
iris.marsh@apsk12.org
404-802-7326

Benteen Gifted Education Quick Guide

New Benteen Gifted Model	· Elementary schools within Atlanta Public Schools currently employ one or more of 2 state-approved delivery models: 1) The Resource Model serves gifted students through a gifted-endorsed teacher in a “pull-out” interdisciplinary-enriched environment once or more per week and 2) The Cluster Grouping Model serves gifted students daily in a homeroom where the teacher is content certified and gifted-endorsed. · This year Benteen is moving to the Resource Gifted Model. Gifted students served through these models engage in enrichment units that integrate any combination of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, or Science standards. Additionally, gifted students served through the cluster-grouping model receive differentiation through extension or enrichment of the content curriculum. This extension/enrichment will differentiate/supplement the GSEs according to APS Gifted Standards.
Communication from the Gifted Department	· If your child is referred (based on MAP), an email message will be sent to the primary parent/guardian identified in our student information system (Infinite Campus). The parent/guardian must reply by a district deadline with consent for the child to receive assessment. If consent is denied, the child may be considered for assessment in the next testing cycle.
Qualifiers for gifted testing	· In Fall semester of each school year, automatic, district-wide universal screening is conducted based on a district-administered assessment (MAP). If your child meets a district-defined score threshold, currently or up to two years prior, he or she may be referred for Gifted eligibility testing.
Gifted Assessments	· Assessment data collected include scores from former assessments on file, new gifted assessments given to students during the testing cycle, and teacher-completed instruments on behaviors exhibited in the classroom. Referred students receive assessment in four state-mandated areas: mental ability, achievement, creativity and motivation. All student-completed assessments are computer-based. MENTAL ABILITY Assessment: Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) - Student completed MOTIVATION Assessment: Gifted Evaluation Scales (GES) - Teacher completed by Two Teachers -Classroom Product: Elementary Student Product (Grades K-5) - Student completed Student Performance: Student completed, Parent submitted CREATIVITY Assessment: Renzulli Learning Cebici Test of Creativity (CTC) - Student completed Classroom Product: Elementary Student Product (Grades K-5) - Student completed Student Performance: Student completed, Parent submitted ACHIEVEMENT Assessment: NWEA MAP Growth Test (MAP) - Student completed Classroom Product: Elementary Student Product (Grades K-5) - Student completed Student Performance: Student completed, Parent submitted