Definition - High ability student means a student who:
- Performs at or shows the potential for performing at an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared with other students of same age, experience, or environment; and
- Is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.
Identification Plan
Kindergarten
- All students are administered the full CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).
- Any student in the 9th stanine of the CogAT is automatically identified as high ability.
- Any student in the 7th or 8th stanine of the CogAT is placed in the selection pool. Classroom teachers complete the SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) for these students.
- Kindergarten teachers and high ability coordinators meet to make final identification based on all of the measures.
Second grade
- All students are administered the full CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).
- NWEA Math and Reading scores are compiled.
- Any student in the 9th stanine of the CogAT, NWEA Reading, or NWEA Math are automatically identified as high ability in the corresponding academic area.
- Students in the 7th or 8th stanine on these tests are placed in the selection pool. Classroom teachers complete the SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) for these students.
- Second grade teachers and high ability coordinators meet to make final identification based on all of the measures.
Fifth grade
- All students are administered the full CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).
- NWEA Math and Reading scores are compiled.
- Any student in the 9th stanine of the CogAT, NWEA Reading, or NWEA Math are automatically identified as high ability in the corresponding academic area.
- Students in the 7th or 8th stanine on these tests are placed in the selection pool. Classroom teachers complete the SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) for these students.
- Fifth grade teachers and high ability coordinators meet to make final identification based on all of the measures.
Sixth grade
- All students are administered the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test to determine who should be placed in pre-Algebra in 7th grade.
- NWEA Math scores are compiled.
- Any student in the 9th stanine of the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test or NWEA Math will be automatically placed in pre-Algebra for 7th grade.
- Students in the 7th or 8th stanine on these tests are placed in the selection pool. Sixth & seventh grade math teachers and the high ability coordinators meet to make final placement in pre-Algebra based on all of the measures.
Use of the appeals and withdrawal procedures at all grade levels is critical to having the correct students identified. Actual observation of performance and insight from the teacher into the potential of student success with the high ability curriculum may be the best indicator for placement or withdrawal from the program.