Assessment and Identification Procedures
The focus of identification is not to label a student, but to recognize and respond to the educational needs of gifted, talented and highly advanced students. All students are considered candidates for differentiated instruction and curriculum modifications. Systematic screening and needs assessments by classroom teachers are done continuously throughout the year. Qualification criteria may vary in order to match the culturally diverse, unique characters, and exceptional strengths of gifted and talented students. Parents, school administration, counselors, and teachers assist in collecting needed documentation and verification.
Screening Processes
All students are eligible for referral, including minorities and under recognized populations. Classroom teachers, parents, community members and a review of ISAT scores indicate possible candidates for a formal referral screening process.
The Challenge Program facilitator collects and records parent inventories, teacher observations, existing test scores and other available data. Parental permission is obtained before any new testing occurs. A team, which includes parents, reviews student information and recommends further assessment and/or accommodations to be made. Assessments are selected based on specific student characteristics, including nationality, learning disabilities, and underachievement indicators.
Eligibility Documentation
Decisions to implement additional services and/or placements are based on data and documentation regarding individual student ability, needs and possible options. Multiple criteria are used for eligibility, utilizing formal and informal measures, sources of information, and documentation of specific student needs. Information is entered on a matrix analyzes documentation sheet.
Informal Criteria
Parent observation inventories and narrations
Teacher checklist, narration, or recommendation
Student checklists, narrations, essays or writing samples
Product review or student portfolio
Review of student grades
Successful completion of prerequisite course work
Essay or writing sample
Review panels recommendation
Formal Criteria
SAGE (Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students) - 98%ile in any total area; Math/Science, Language/Reading, Reasoning or total of test
Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes - 98%ile in total battery
ISAT (Standardized Achievement Test) - 98%ile in any specific area or a combination of %ile at or above 95%ile
Wookcock Johnson test of Achievement - at 98%ile in any specific total area
Torrance Test of Creative Ability at 98%ile in total battery
Placement or end-of- book tests as per specific subject areas – mastery level scores
WISC III or IV - 98%ile in any subtest, Performance, Verbal, or Full scale
Other recognized norm reference assessment tools
Needs Documentation – Notation of the specific needs of the student must be clearly stated.
Elementary Challenge Program Placement Criteria
There are six criteria for placement in the Challenge Program. A student must meet three of the five criteria to qualify. One of the five criteria must be #1 or #2:
Intelligence test score at or above the 98th percentile.
Achievement test scores in any specific area at or above the 98th percentile
Two references indicating potential ability, parent and teacher.
Results of creativity/critical thinking test at or above the 98th percentile.
Documentation of talent from a facilitator - recognized expert in the field.
Portfolio review indicating exemplarily performance
Documentation that students' needs cannot be provided for with regular classroom instruction on a full time basis must be included.
Students do not have to requalify once they meet criteria for program placement; however, appropriate service options are reviewed on a continuous base. Students may receive or not receive accommodations as best fits their needs.
More information or questions Contact Sherrie Bosserman, sbosserman@kunaschools.org