Gifted & Talented Referral Program

STEP 1- Making a Referral

Anyone can initiate a Gifted and Talented Education referral for services: parents, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, classified staff, peers, or students themselves. To make a referral, contact the Gifted Coordinator who serves your child's school. You will be sent any further forms needed once the referral is complete.

The entire referral process typically takes from six to eight weeks.

STEP 2- Data Collection (1-2 weeks)

The school Gifted Coordinator will begin collecting information and data about each child referred for Gifted and Talented identification.

The SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) will be sent home for parents to complete and return to school. The child' s teacher will also complete a SIGS checklist.

Achievement data for each student is collected. This includes state testing (CMAS) and district achievement testing (iReady and NWEA/MAP).

STEP 3- Testing (1-2 weeks)

Students are then given the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) screener. This tests a child' s ability to reason using words (verbal), numbers (quantitative) and pictures (non-verbal). If a child scores well in any area, a full-length CogAT assessment may be given.

Sometimes, a child is given the Naglieri Assessment. This is also an ability test to determine reasoning abilities. This test uses only pictures and is beneficial for ELL students.

In addition to data on a student's abilities, we collect behavior and achievement data as well. The Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) provides us with information on student behaviors from classroom teachers and parents. We gather achievement data from the i Ready or NWEA/MAPS (Measures of Academic Progress) in reading, math, and science, as well as data from CMAS assessments.

A child's abilities, achievement, and behavior are all considered towards identification.

Step 4- Identification (2-4 weeks)

All data will be compiled onto a Body of Evidence form to determine if services are needed.

To qualify for a Gifted identification, ideally students must score in the 95th percentile in two of the three following areas (one area must be ability/cognitive scores):

*Behavior (based on the SIGS checklists)

*Achievement (based on the data collection from standardized, grade-level testing)

*Ability/Cognitive (based on the CogAT and NNAT)

To qualify for a Talent Pool identification, students must score in the 85th-94th percentile in two of the three areas (one area must be ability/cognitive scores). These students will receive academic and/or social/emotional gifted services for two years. After two years, many students no longer need gifted support. In some circumstances, these students may continue to receive services.

You will receive a letter by mail indicating whether your child has been identified for gifted services, talent pool services, or if there is no need for services.

Please note that some students who don' t qualify are very bright. Identification is a very small piece of the programming puzzle for a small percentage of our students. Even if your student does not qualify for GT identification, be assured that his/her needs will be met through strategies teachers use with all students.

Procedure for Disagreement -

Disagreement about qualification for services might occur. Anyone who disagrees with a determination of services must communicate that in writing to either the child's teacher, or directly to the Gifted Coordinator that services their student's school. Notification must be made no later than 30 days after receiving notification of qualification.

When a Review Team decision regarding gifted identification is questioned and written notification has been received, these steps (in order) will be followed by the building and district Gifted Coordinators:

1. Review of the Body of Evidence for accuracy in interpretation of data.

2. Review of the data with parents and clarification of identification criteria.

3. Determine if additional data is needed and can be provided.

4. A decision for the current school year will be made in regards to services.

5. A next level of appeal may be sent to the Director of Exceptional Student Services for further review and final decision.