In the spring of second grade, the identification process for the Reading/Language Arts Gifted Program for third grade begins. This screening process includes the collection of data from the CogAT ability assessment, NWEA MAP achievement assessment, and parent and teacher input. 

Second grade parents will receive an online parent-input form in the spring to evaluate their child's creativity and motivation attributes. Teachers will also do the same, assessing the students' learning and communication habits.

In the fall of third grade, students will take the NWEA MAP assessment and for the fall of the 2021-2022 school year all students will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The CogAT is an aptitude assessment which measures children's learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal. 

Students who score a 7 or higher on the Gifted Screening Matrix criteria will move onto the Selection Step Process. A letter will be sent home early October to parents explaining the selection process.

In the fall of third grade, selected students from the screening process will take three additional assessments to help determine placement into the Gifted Program: 

• Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
• AimsWeb Plus Reading Comprehension Battery
• Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT)

The WASI will be given to students individually by a school psychologist. The WASI assessment typically takes 90 minutes to complete and needs to be given to students outside of the school day, and therefore a school psychologist will call to schedule this assessment with individual families.

AimsWeb Plus Reading Comprehension and the TTCT are group-administered assessments that will be administered by the three intermediate Gifted Enrichment teachers during the school day. A writing sample will also be given to students during this time. These assessments typically will take around two hours to complete, and are completed in late October/early November.

To qualify for gifted programming, students must receive a matrix score between 6-11. 

SCREENING PROCESS MATRIX

Screening to Selection Identification Decision Values

Selection Process Matrix
(For students who received greater than 7 points on the screening)

In early December, a letter will be sent home to students eligible for the gifted program to notify parents of their placement. Parents of students who do not meet the minimum criteria will also be notified in writing and will be given the opportunity to appeal. Third grade students who do qualify for the Reading/Language Arts Gifted Program will begin upon return from Winter Break in January. 

In late fall of fifth grade, the screening process for the Reading/Language Arts Gifted Program for sixth grade begins. This screening process includes the collection of data from the CogAT ability assessment, NWEA MAP achievement assessment, and parent and teacher input. 
 

All fifth grade students will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in the fall of their fifth grade year. Any student who has been in the district has taken this assessment in second grade as well. Fifth grade parents will receive an online parent-input form in late fall to evaluate their child's creativity and motivation attributes. Teachers will also do the same, assessing the students' learning and communication habits.

In January, fifth grade students will take the NWEA MAP assessment and the  AIMSWeb Plus Reading Comprehension battery. Students who score a 7 or higher on the Gifted Screening Matrix criteria will move onto the Selection Process. A letter will be sent home to parents explaining the selection process.

Screening Process Matrix

Screening to Selection Identification Decision Values

In February, selected students from the screening process will take three additional assessments to help determine placement into the Gifted Program:

• Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
• AimsWeb Plus Reading Comprehension Battery
• Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT)

The WASI will be given to students individually by a school psychologist. The WASI assessment typically takes 90 minutes to complete and needs to be given to students outside of the school day, and therefore a school psychologist will call to schedule this assessment with individual families. AIMS Web Plus Reading Comprehension and the TTCT are group-administered assessments that will be administered by the three intermediate Gifted Enrichment teachers during the school day. A writing sample will also be given to students during this time. These assessments typically will take around two hours to complete, and are completed in February. 

To qualify for gifted programming, students must receive a matrix score between 6-11. 

Selection Process Matrix
(For students who received 7 points or greater on the screening)

A letter will be sent home with your child’s placement results in March. Parents of students who do not meet the minimum criteria will also be notified in writing and will be given the opportunity to appeal. Students who qualify for the Reading/Language Arts Gifted Program during their fifth grade year will start gifted programming upon entrance into sixth grade.