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Update Information for Existing ALPs for 2025-26
Existing ALPs will be updated with new goals this Fall and sent home to parents/guardians via email. Parents will receive information about ALP development for the 25-26 school year in the next few weeks. Existing ALPs will be updated and completed no later than September 30, 2025, and sent home in the first part of October.
Mid-year ALP progress updates will be emailed home to parents by December 19, 2025.
End-of-the-year ALP progress updates will be emailed home to parents by June 1, 2026.
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General CogAT Testing Information for Grade 2
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).
2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of February 2-6, 2026. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
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General CogAT Testing Information for Grades 5 and 6
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).
Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, we will be testing only 5th graders in Douglas County in November. In preparation for this, we will be testing all 5th & 6th graders this November so as to not miss any students in the transition process.
5th & 6th Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 5th & 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 3-7, 2025. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
In alignment with DCSD’s Strategic Plan, starting in the 2026-2027 school year, we will be testing only 5th graders in Douglas County in November. In preparation for this, we will be testing all 5th & 6th graders this November so as to not miss any students in the transition process.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in grades 3 and 4, and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
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General CogAT Testing Information at SVE
Universal Screen Years at SVE are 2nd, 5th, and 6th Grade. As part of the Universal Screening process, ALL students in 2nd, 5th, and 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) during the 2025-26 school year. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
Students in 5th and 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take CogAT in November, as well as, referral students in 3rd and 4th grades.
Students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take CogAT in February, as well as, referral students in Kindergarten and 1st grades.
The actual test dates will be shared once the schedule has been finalized.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, he/she will not participate in this universal screen testing.
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Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in a grade other than 2nd, 5th, or 6th and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, and you have not done so already, please initiate the Gifted Identification Referral Process by completing the referral form linked HERE. Upon receipt of this form, the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss the next steps in the gifted identification process. NOTE: Completing the referral form will initiate the process for Gifted Identification. Also, requesting the CogAT assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
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5th and 6th Grade Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for the 2025-26 School Year
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).
5th and 6th Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 5th and 6th Grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in November (TBD). This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in grades 3 or 4 and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
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2nd Grade Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for the 2025-26 School Year
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).
2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in February (TBD Soon). This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss the next steps in the gifted identification process.
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Iowa Test for 6th Graders 2025-26 School Year
Iowa Testing for students in 6th grade who are being referred for advanced math placement in middle school will happen in the Spring. Additional information will be provided as we get closer to the testing dates.
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Discovery Program Application Process
This information will be added later.
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Discovery Information Nights
This information will be added later.
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Early Access
Click here for information about the Early Access Process to Kindergarten/1st Grade.