1. A student who has been officially placed in the gifted program may continue to receive gifted programming services as long as he/she meets the following criteria:
   1. Satisfactory performance in the regular classes. Satisfactory performance is determined as follows:
      (1)Grades K-3 must maintain adequate progress (90%) on standards-based report.
      (2)Grades 4-6 must maintain an overall 80 (a "B" or its equivalent) academic average (Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
      (3)Grades 7-8 must maintain an overall 80 (a "B" or its equivalent) academic average (Language Arts Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
      (4)Grades 9-12 must maintain an overall 80 academic average (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language).
   2. Satisfactory performance in the gifted classes. Satisfactory performance will be based on the recommendations of the teacher of the gifted, with such recommendation to be based on active participation, required products, and regular attendance in the gifted program.
   3. Student has not exceeded absences specified in the Tift County Attendance Policy (applicable to grades 9-12 only).
2. Procedures
   1. Probation (Academic)
      Parents and students will be notified at any time continuation criteria are not being met. At this point, a probation period will begin while the student remains in the program. If, at the end of the probation period, continuation criteria have not been met, the student will be withdrawn from the gifted program. If continuation criteria have been met, the student will be returned in good standing to the gifted program.
   2. Withdrawal (Academic)
      The withdrawal procedure will consists of a conference which may include the parent, classroom teacher, gifted class teacher, and student. Minutes of this meeting shall be given to the parent along with a copy of reentry criteria and procedures. A copy of these minutes shall be placed in the student’s GATE folder.
   3. Voluntary withdrawal
      This term is defined as any student intentionally exiting the GATE program while meeting all continuation criteria.
      1. Procedures for withdrawal
         (1) A conference which includes the parent/guardian, the GATE teacher and an administrator or designee must be held. This conference may include the student and other participants as appropriate.
         (2) Minutes will be kept concerning the discussion and decision of the conference.
         (3) A form indicating parental approval of the withdrawal will be signed at the meeting. This form shall be placed in the GATE folder of the student.
   4. Procedures for Reentry
      1. Students who have exited GATE may make requests for reentry.
      2. If initial eligibility determination is less than two (2) years old at the time of the request for reentry, the student can reenter the program under the original eligibility data.
      3. If the initial eligibility determination is more than two (2) years old, the student must undergo the full evaluation process and meet eligibility criteria.
   5. Parent Notification
      A copy of this continuation policy will be given to parents of GATE students at the time the parents sign permission for placement, if placement status changes, as well as any time policy is amended.

This criteria is based on SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.38, Section 3 – Continued Participation