All current 2nd graders and 6th graders will take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test), as well as referral students from other grades during the months of November and February. For more information on the CogAT or to refer your child to take the CogAT (grades K, 1 , 3, 4, or 5) click here.
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is designed to measure both general and specific reasoning abilities. The development of these abilities begins at birth and continues through early adulthood. In DCSD we use the CogAT as a universal screening tool for all students in grades second and sixth grade. We also offer the opportunity for students in grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 to test in order to collect cognitive aptitude data as ONE piece of a body of evidence to be used for the purposes of gifted identification and programming. Students in grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 can be referred by a teacher or parent.
The scores will guide efforts to adapt teaching methods to the needs and abilities of the students, and will also inform placement in the district’s Discovery Program for gifted learners should parents choose to apply for the program.
Please contact your child’s teacher or Jill Montoya to refer your child for testing. All students participating in the referral testing process must have a signed “consent to test” form which will remain in the student’s cumulative file. Please contact Jill Montoya if you have questions regarding the referral testing or the CogAT test jill.montoya@dcsdk12.org