Gifted Identification

Multiple criteria are used in order to identify students as gifted in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. 

Students have the opportunity to identify as​ Academically Gifted in both Reading and Math (AG), Academically Gifted Math Only (AM), Academically Gifted Reading Only (AR), Academically Intellectually Gifted (AI),  or Intellectually Gifted (IG). 

All identification decisions are guided by the 2025-2028 Gifted Identification Rubric.

Second Grade Gifted Screening Process

CMS conducts a universal screening for all second grade students primarily educated within a general education setting. Each second grader is provided with three opportunities- two formal and one informal. The two formal assessment opportunities are the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), a nationally-normed abilities test, and i-Ready, a nationally-normed achievement test in Reading and Math. The informal opportunity is the Gifted Rating Scales (GRS), an observational checklist. Additionally, a portfolio opportunity is provided for students who do not identify as gifted in any capacity but have qualifying GRS, 

i-Ready scores, or CogAT scores. The portfolio consists of student work samples and opportunities that are provided to students to display gifted traits in a variety of formats to capture student output. 

Gifted Screening/Rescreening in Grades 3-5

All decisions for testing for gifted identification outside of the district-wide second grade screening process are made by AIG Site-Based Committees at the school level. The CMS Advanced Studies department has developed a document outlining the rationale for screening/ rescreening to provide guidance to committees and they are encouraged to utilize both quantitative, such as EOG or i-Ready scores, and qualitative data to make informed decisions. Students may be considered for rescreening through district testing after a period of at least 24 months has passed since their last screening opportunity in CMS.  

Additionally, for students with active CogAT scores in grades 3-5, AIG Teachers complete a data review in the fall using existing CogAT scores and most-recent achievement scores, such as EOG or fall i-Ready results, to determine eligibility for AIG identification.

Reciprocity 

CMS offers reciprocity for gifted students transferring from schools within NC and from schools outside of NC. Additional information on reciprocity can be found on the CMS Advanced Studies website.  

Outside Test Results

Outside testing is not accepted for gifted identification. Outside test results can be used as a relevant data point to determine student needs, but will not be applied to our CMS Gifted Identification Rubric. 

Please contact Kelly Safran (kathryn.safran@cms.k12.nc.us) with questions on gifted identification.