Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get my child screened?

Qualifying Non-public scholars are invited to sign-up and screen for gifted services at the Center for Gifted Education. Screening can take place no earlier than Spring of a scholar's Kindergarten year. Contact the Center for Gifted Education Office for more information about scheduling a screening.

Nicole Meyer, NMeyer@cpsk12.org

(573) 214-3750

Fall 2024- ALL CPS 1st-5th graders, not previously screened, will be screened at their school of attendance.

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Spring 2025- ALL CPS Kindergarteners and 2nd graders will screen at their school of attendance.

What if I think my child should skip a grade in school?

CPS Board Policy

Policy IKE: PROMOTION, ACCELERATION AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS

Status: ADOPTED

Original Adopted Date: 01/11/1999 | Last Revised Date: 10/09/2023 | Last Reviewed Date: 10/09/2023

Acceleration

"The district will assist students in progressing academically in accordance with their capabilities. Acceleration refers to educational strategies that provide opportunities for students to more rapidly achieve their education goals. Effective acceleration matches the level, complexity and pace of the curriculum to the readiness and motivation of the student. Acceleration will not be used as a replacement for gifted education services or programs.

Acceleration shall be considered for all students who demonstrate advanced performance or the potential for advanced performance and the social and emotional readiness for acceleration. The district will offer subject acceleration and whole-grade acceleration and, at the discretion of the superintendent, may choose to implement other types of acceleration as well.

When determining whether a student should be accelerated, the district will consider all available student assessment data, the student's social and emotional maturity and the student's academic strengths. Acceleration decisions shall be based on the best interest of the student.

Parents/Guardians or teachers who identify a student who may benefit from acceleration should contact an administrator in the student's school for more information."

Columbia Public Schools Practice (10+ Years)

Upon request for consideration of whole grade acceleration, the Director of Elementary Gifted Services will initiate the review process. The Iowa Acceleration Scale, 3rd Edition (IAS) is a tool used to gather information from many sources, including: ability, aptitude, achievement test scores, school history, observed adult and peer relationships, attitudes toward learning, and other factors that have bearing on the decision to accelerate. The systematic guidance provided by the IAS brings objective data to the discussion and thus minimizes any potential bias for or against whole-grade acceleration.

Following the completion of the (IAS) process, which can take up to one month, a recommendation from the Director of Elementary Gifted Services, either for or against acceleration, is provided to the family and the school principal. The school principal is also provided a copy of the entire IAS documentation packet. If a scholar meets the benchmark for acceleration, and the school principal deems it appropriate, plans are made for the scholar to make the move to the accelerated grade quickly.

For more information about Acceleration please contact:

Kristen Palmer, CPS Director of Elementary Gifted Services

1010 Rangeline St. Columbia, MO 65201

(573) 214-3750

Elementary school counselors, in addition to the Elementary Gifted Center are able to help interested families begin this process.

Is Grade Acceleration a good thing?

https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2020/08/03/academic-acceleration-has-no-negative-long-term-effects-on-the-psychological-well-being-of-gifted-youth/

Can a scholar re-screen/test for possible identification for gifted services?

Yes, families or school personnel may request, through their school counselor or the Gifted Center, that a scholar be rescreened/tested. The following must be true before scheduled:

A minimum of 6 months have passed since the scholar's last NNAT screening
A minimum of 12 months have passed since the scholar's last WISC test

After a third evaluation process is completed and placement decisions have been determined, the opportunity for additional evaluation for elementary gifted services is closed.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my child and gifted services?

Principal of Elementary Gifted Services, Kristen Palmer, is happy to help with questions you may have.

Additionally, your child's teachers and school counselor can help with questions you may have.

Why doesn't my child qualify for gifted services? They have always scored at the top of standardized tests.

Students often take several standardized tests in school. Most of these tests are achievement tests, measuring what a student has learned in reading, writing, and math. In addition to achievement, gifted identification takes many factors into account, most notably aptitude. Aptitude is measured using reliable and valid tests of cognitive abilities, which are administered individually and in a highly standardized manner. Unlike achievement tests that document the skills students have learned, aptitude tests measure a student’s ability to verbally reason spontaneously and solve complex, novel problems. It is not uncommon for some students to demonstrate high achievement yet perform below the 98th percentile on measures of aptitude.

Will there be EEE on Early Dismissal/Late Start Days?

Yes! On Early Dismissal Days, we will return scholars to school, by bus, in time for the early dismissal. On Late Start Days, scholars will depart from their school of attendance for EEE 2 hours later than usual.

Can I submit scores from an outside examiner?

CPS does not accept testing results from outside or private agencies.

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