Identification Process

Extended Learning Program (E.L.P) students at the elementary, junior high, and high school level are identified from a Talent Pool of potential students. Students enter the Talent Pool when they have been nominated a teacher, parent, or self, and/or when standardized test data contains multiple scores in the upper-90 percentile range.

When making identification decisions, the following 4 sets of standardized test scores are considered: Cognitive Abilities Test (3 sub-sections + composite), ISASP in Reading for the past 3 years, ISASP in Math for the past 3 years, and ISASP in Science. Students with a consistent pattern of standardized test scores at the 96th percentile or higher in 2 or more of the 4 areas above are considered for potential identification for E.L.P. Nomination forms are used to help make that decision for students with borderline standardized test evidence. On rare occasions, students without these scores may be considered if TAG staff observes undeniably strong characteristics of giftedness in those students (see the nomination forms for a list of such characteristics).

This identification process is carried out in such a manner that students in the Talent Pool are identified by number rather than name so that the data (both quantitative and observational) is considered fairly for all students. The TAG staff meets together in May to identify potential secondary students for identification for the fall and meets again in September to identify 5th-6th graders for the program.

After the TAG staff makes their preliminary decisions, the building principal is consulted and interviews with the prospective students are carried out before final decisions are made. Additional evidence may be gathered from classroom teachers, counselors, and previous TAG teachers if needed. The needs of the student for a qualitatively differentiated TAG program are a part of this consideration. Participating students may be evaluated periodically to determine if the program is appropriate for the student's needs and if the student is functioning within the guidelines of the program.

The graphic below shows the steps in the identification process. Teacher, parent, and self nomination forms are available via this link.