Identification of Gifted Learners

Identification Protocol

The Bozeman School District screens all students for gifted identification in third grade. Screening may occur outside of this window as determined through the MTSS process. The criteria below will guide the identification process.

General Ability Testing - Composite Score 130 or above (2 deviations from norm) OR score of 99% in one of three areas (verbal, non-verbal, quantitative)
Individual Ability testing, parent checklist, and teacher observation will occur when recommended as part of MTSS process or triggered by scores in 99% on Acadiance or STAR (combine below)
Students K-8 can be recommended for additional testing following the district MTSS process.
Students NEW to district: identification from previous school, independent identification, or school based individual ability testing per MTSS process.
Students in underrepresented populations/2E - non-verbal/creativity testing or individual ability testing
Protocol includes:

The Gifted Education Coordinator will review the body of evidence and secure parent permission for additional testing.
Achievement data from district-wide assessments
Observation checklist for teachers
Body of evidence
Parent checklist (SPOT)
Teacher checklist
Specialty teacher recommendations

Best practice would indicate that students whose needs are not being met in the core classroom, are showing low growth, or in grades K-2 should trigger the MTSS process so a plan can be put in place.

In all cases, building principals will be notified of results from the Gifted Education Coordinator and information will be shared with parents, counselors, and teachers through the building principal. Identification letters will be shared with building principals for distribution. PowerSchool will be flagged for identified students. Additional parent questions should be directed to the building principal.

The district criteria typically maintains identification of 6-8% of the student population.

Students with Prior District Identification

District enrollment forms request prior gifted identification information. When school personnel receive enrollment forms and student cum files indicating prior gifted services, the Gifted Ed. office will review the file for identification criteria or contact the prior district for that information. For students identified with criteria equivalent to BSD standards, the identification will transfer and student records will be flagged. Parents will be notified when this occurs. When district criteria is not met, the MTSS identification protocol will be followed to determine if next steps are necessary.

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