“Gifted” means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

GIFTED IDENTIFICATION & SCREENING

A student is identified as gifted based upon nationally-normed standardized tests administered by the school district. 

These can be whole-grade regularly scheduled group tests that all students take - i.e.  kindergarten, second, fifth, and sixth grade.  If a student receives a score in the 95th percentile on a subject-area test or is 2 standard deviations above the mean on a test for Superior Cognitive Ability, minus the standard error of measurement, he/she is identified as gifted in that area.

A screening score listed below alerts parents and school staff that further assessment may be necessary.  Requests for additional testing should be made to the Coordinator of Gifted Programs.

S      Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test, 2^nd Edition

S      Screening            Criteria    120

S      Identification      Criteria   124  

S      Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4^th Ed.

        (WISC )

S      Screening            Criteria    120

S      Identification      Criteria   127

S      Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) & Third Edition

S      Screening            Criteria    120

S      Identification      Criteria    127

S      Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

S      Screening            Criteria    120

S      Identification           Criteria    128  (K-2)

                                       Criteria    129  (3-12)

S      Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)

S      Screening            Criteria    90^th Percentile              

S      Identification      Criteria    95^th Percentile              

S      Stanford Achievement Test, 10^th Edition

S      Screening            Criteria    90^th Percentile              

S      Identification      Criteria    95^th Percentile              

S      Woodcock-Johnson-III:  Tests of Achievement

S      Screening            Criteria    90^th Percentile              

S      Identification      Criteria    95^th Percentile              

S      SAT I Reasoning Test

S       Screening             Criteria    90^th Percentile

S       Identification      Criteria     95^th Percentile             

S      ACT

S       Screening             Criteria    90^th  Percentile

S       Identification      Criteria     95^th Percentile             

S      EXPLORE

S       Screening            Criteria     90^h Percentile

S       Identification      Criteria     95^th Percentile             

Visual Arts

Performance Measures

        Display of Work - Ohio Dept. of Education Guidelines

S      Screening            Criteria    14-18 points

S      Identification      Criteria    19-24 points

                                      or

Art AP Scoring Guidelines            

S      Screening            Criteria    4

S      Identification      Criteria    5

                                            and

Behavior Checklist

        Scales for Rating the Behavior Characteristics of    

        Superior Students (SRBCSS) Art:  Part (V)

S      Screening            Criteria    40

S      Identification      Criteria    53   

Music

Performance Measure

ODE Music Audition/Performance Rubric for Scoring

S       Formal: Screening: 8-10 / Identification: 11-12

S        Informal: Screening: 6-7 / Identification:8-9         

and

Behavior Checklist       

Scales for Rating the Behavior Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS) Music:  Part (VI)

S      Screening            Criteria    25

S      Identification           Criteria    34

Drama

Performance Measure

S      Audition/Performance - ODE Drama/Theatre

S      Formal:

S      Screening             Criteria    10-12

S      Identification       Criteria    13-15

Informal:

S      Screening             Criteria     6-7

S      Identification       Criteria     8-9

                                          and

Behavior Checklist

Scales for Rating the Behavior Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS) Drama:  Part (VII)

S       Screening            Criteria    36

S       Identification      Criteria    48

Dance

Performance Measure

Audition/Performance ODE Guidelines

Grades K-4:

S       Screening            Criteria   15-26

S       Identification      Criteria   27-36

Grades 5-12:

S       Screening            Criteria   23-29

S       Identification      Criteria   30-39

                                         and

Behavior Checklist

GATES - Visual and Performing Arts

Section 5, Items 41-50 - ages 5-18

S       Screening             Criteria   57

S       Identification       Criteria   78

Identification in this area consists of:

S      Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

S      Screening            Criteria    100

S      Identification           Criteria    112  (K-2)

                                       Criteria    113  (3-12)

                                      or

S      Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4^th Ed.

        (WISC )

S      Screening            Criteria    100

S      Identification      Criteria   112

                                                             or

S              Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test, 2^nd Edition

S      Screening            Criteria    108

S      Identification      Criteria   110  

                                                    and

Scales for Rating the Behavior Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS) Creativity:  Part (1I)

S      Screening            Criteria    48

S      Identification           Criteria    51

REFERRAL                                                    

The district ensures there are ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for assessments and reassessment using:

·          Individually-administered tests

·          Checklists

·          Group Tests

Children may be referred on an ongoing  basis, based on the following:

·          Child request (self-referral);

·          Teacher recommendation;

·          Parent/guardian request;

·          Child referral of peer; and

·          Other -psychologist, community members, principal, gifted coordinator, etc.

The district shall provide at least two opportunities per year for assessment in the case of children requesting assessment or recommended for assessment by teachers, parents or other children.

GENERAL                                                      

The district accepts scores on assessment instruments approved for use by the Ohio Department of Education provided by other school districts and/or trained personnel outside the school district.  Testing will be provided in a child’s native language and/or translating/ELL services to accomplish assessment for the purpose of gifted screening/identification will be provided.  Students with physical and/or sensory disabilities will be given accommodations as per IEP’s and/or 504 plans to ensure assessment for the purpose of screening/identification as gifted is valid and reliable.  A variety of tests identified as valid for special populations (via external research) are used in assessment for the purpose of gifted screening/identification. 

SERVICES                                                     

The District ensures equal opportunity for all district students identified as gifted to receive services offered by the district.  Written Education Plans (WEP’s) will be created for all identified gifted and served students within our district.  Updated copies of WEP’s will be mailed to parents/guardians at least once per year.

Students who are identified as gifted in Math, Reading, and/or Superior Cognitive Ability (by ODE identification guidelines) receive ODE-approved service via our pull-out 4^th and 5^th grade Advanced Curricular Thinking Math and/or Reading program. Acceleration and enrichment programs are also available to identified gifted students in grades K-8 within each elementary and middle school. 

TRANSFER                                                    

The district ensures that any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent.  Parents shall contact the building principal.

WITHDRAWAL                                            

If at anytime, a student wishes to withdraw from gifted programs or services, the request should be written by the parent or child to the building administrator.   If children request to withdraw, parents/guardians will be notified.

APPEAL PROCEDURE                                

An appeal by the parent/guardian is the re-consideration  of  the results of any part of the identification  process  which would include:

·          Screening procedure or assessment  instrument which results in identification;

·          The scheduling of children for assessment;

·          The placement of a student in any  program; and

·          Receipt of services.

Parents/guardians should submit a letter to the Coordinator of Gifted/Enrichment, outlining the  nature of the concern.

The Coordinator will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel.

The Coordinator will issue a written final decision within 30 days for the appeal.  This written notice should include the reason for the decision(s).

*************************************

Alison Ciferno

Coordinator of Gifted/Enrichment

(440) 283-2227

alison.ciferno@weschools.org

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ASSESSMENT

INSTRUMENTS USED

BY THE DISTRICT

FOR GIFTED

IDENTIFICATION

Information for Parents

Willoughby-Eastlake City School District

37047 Ridge Road

Willoughby, OH  44094

                       Revised November 2011