Identification Plan for High Ability Services

Early Fall: NWEA Achievement Testing
NWEA testing is administered at least two times per year for all K-6 students. The Fall NWEA test is administered during this window. Results allow teachers to differentiate and plan for student needs as soon as performance levels are determined, even before the formal identification process.
 
Winter: NWEA Achievement Testing
Winter NWEA results allow teachers to see growth over a calendar year and helps them plan for students’ instructional needs.  It is also used to identify students for high ability services.
 
K and 1^st grade – Students who score in the 99^th percentile on math NWEA qualify for high ability services in math. Students who score in the 99^th percentile on reading NWEA qualify for high ability services in language arts.
 
2^nd - 6^th grade – Students who score in the 95^th - 99^th percentile on math NWEA qualify for high ability services in math. Students who score in the 95^th - 99^th percentile on reading NWEA qualify for high ability services in language arts.
 
February/March: CogAT Testing
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures general reasoning abilities in three domains: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.  The screener is a partial version of the full CogAT.
 
CogAT Screener:

• All kindergarten students take the CogAT screener.
• All 2^nd grade students (who have not already qualified for high ability services) take the CogAT screener.

 
Full CogAT:

• Kindergarteners who score in the 80th percentile or higher on the screener take the full CogAT.
• 2^nd grade students who score in the 80th percentile or higher on the screener take the full CogAT.
• 5^th grade students who score in the 80th percentile or higher on the Winter NWEA (and have not already qualified for high ability services) take the full CogAT. 

 
Late Spring: Two-year Advanced Math Placement
At the intermediate and junior high levels, some students may elect to participate in a two-year advanced math course. This is not generally recommended for the majority of students who receive high ability services and must be carefully considered, as students may earn multiple high school credits and receive grades toward their high school GPAs as junior high students.
To enroll in two-year advanced math, students must meet all three requirements:

Currently receive one-year advanced math services Score in the 97th, 98th, or 99th percentile on the Winter or Spring NWEA Teacher Recommendation (Teachers may only recommend students who meet the first two requirements.)

 
May: NWEA Achievement
Spring NWEA results allow teachers to see growth over a school year.  It is also used to identify students for high ability services.
 
K and 1^st grade – Students who score in the 99^th percentile on math NWEA qualify for high ability services in math. Students who score in the 99^th percentile on reading NWEA qualify for high ability services in language arts.
 
2^nd - 6^th grade – Students who score in the 95^th - 99^th percentile on math NWEA qualify for high ability services in math. Students who score in the 95^th - 99^th percentile on reading NWEA qualify for high ability services in language arts.
 
Late Spring (Post Spring NWEA Testing): SIGS – Scales for Identifying Gifted Students
Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) is an identification instrument used if the score of a student in grades K, 2, or 5 falls within the standard error of measure on either Winter or Spring NWEA or CogAT. SIGS will be completed online by the teacher and family of the student.
 
Students who score in the 95^th percentile or higher will qualify for high ability services.
 
Early Summer: Results Reported
Results of the identification process are reported to families through email. Identified students will automatically receive high ability services beginning the following school year.
 
Families must complete the form by June 25 to decline high ability services.
 
Many families will not receive emails because their students will be continuing with the same educational plan as previous years.  If your student is in kindergarten, second, or fifth grade (and does not already receive high ability services), please expect an email notification regarding your child’s assessment results.  If your student is in first, third, fourth, or sixth grade, you will only receive an email if your child has been identified for new services for next year.  If your student already receives high ability services in both math and reading, all services will remain in place for next year so you will not receive an email.  If you have questions, please contact your school or visit our website.  Most importantly, please know we will be ready to meet every student’s needs in every classroom!
 
Kindergarten (Formal Identification Year)
All students will receive an email letter regarding assessment and identification.
 
2^nd Grade (Formal Identification Year)
All students, except students who are already HA qualified in both areas, will receive an email letter regarding assessment and identification.
 
5^th Grade (Formal Identification Year)
All students, except students who are already HA qualified in both areas, will receive an email letter regarding assessment and identification.
 
1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th Grades
Only students who will have a change to HA services (adding high ability reading services, adding high ability math services, or adding two year advanced math in grades 5-7) will receive an email letter regarding assessment and identification.
 
Late Summer: Summer High Ability Identification for Move-in Students
Students who move to HSE may be eligible for high ability services if they meet the qualifications. Upon enrollment, families should provide any documentation related to high ability testing and standardized test results for review.  Testing is available for new students who do not have testing data administered within the last two years.  Details are in our FAQ document on our website.