Sumter County School District

Gifted Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for gifted services in Florida, students must meet all three of the following criteria:

1. Standardized Test of Intelligence

   • Must be administered by a licensed or certified psychologist
   • A qualifying IQ score is typically two standard deviations above the mean
   • Accepted scores include the Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ), General Ability Index (GAI), and other approved indices
   • The evaluation must be current:
     • Within 1 year for students under age 7
     • Within 3 years for students age 7 and older
   • The psychological report must include confidence intervals and a clear recommendation for eligibility

2. Gifted Characteristics Rating Scales

   • Completed by at least one of the student’s current academic teachers
   • A majority of gifted characteristics must be observed

3. Evidence of Need for Services

   • Includes a review of report cards, standardized test scores, achievement data, social/emotional needs, and gifted characteristics
   • This step ensures that gifted services are appropriate and necessary for the student’s continued growth

Note: The gifted eligibility process must be completed before a student can be considered for placement in a gifted program. 

Out-of-State Transfers

Students transferring from another state may be eligible for gifted services in Florida if they provide documentation that includes:

1. A current EP or IEP with gifted services, standardized test scores, or other official records showing gifted eligibility based on the previous state’s criteria.
2. If the previous state does not have formal gifted eligibility criteria, the student must go through Florida’s gifted identification process.

Students transferring with documented gifted eligibility from another state are not required to meet Florida’s initial eligibility criteria. Upon enrollment, they will receive services comparable to those described in their previous gifted plan.

Note: To be considered for a Gifted Program in Sumter County, students must meet local eligibility requirements and establish Florida residency by the posted deadline. Out-of-state gifted status does not automatically qualify a student for magnet placement.

Accelerated Gifted Program

Sumter County School District – Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

Sumter County School District offers a full-time Accelerated Gifted Program for students who are identified as gifted and meet the district’s eligibility criteria.

In this program, students are grouped with other gifted learners and receive instruction from a teacher certified in gifted education. The curriculum is designed to be academically advanced, with students working one grade level ahead in core subjects such as English/Language Arts and Mathematics.

This program is designed to challenge and engage gifted students by providing a faster pace of instruction and deeper exploration of content, while also supporting their unique learning needs.

Note: Students must meet additional eligibility requirements to participate in the Accelerated Gifted Program for the 2025–2026 school year. Please visit the Gifted Program section of our website for important dates, criteria, and application details.