CogAT

CogAT is DCSD's universal screen for giftedness.  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. 

Please see the following for additional information:

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).

6th Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in November.  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. 

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 November.  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, 4, or 5 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: Gifted Education Referral Form

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

• As part of this process, ALL students in 6th grade who have not been identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in November.

• All 2nd Graders will be tested in February.

• Information on CogAT will be posted when we are closer to those time frames. 

• If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Students who are not taking the assessment will be given alternative activities.

• DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. 

Estimados Padres/Tutores,

DCSD se compromete a implementar prácticas equitativas para aumentar el acceso a oportunidades de aprendizaje avanzado/para superdotados. Con base en las recomendaciones y requisitos estatales y nacionales, implementamos la prueba de Detección Universal para los estudiantes de segundo grado (febrero) y quinto o sexto grado, el último año de la escuela primaria del estudiante (noviembre).

Como parte de este proceso, TODOS los estudiantes de 6th grade que no hayan sido identificados para la programación para superdotados tomarán la Prueba de Habilidades Cognitivas (CogAT) la semana de November 1st.  Esta evaluación indica el nivel y patrón de desarrollo cognitivo de un estudiante en comparación con sus compañeros de grado y edad. Estas habilidades de razonamiento general, que comienzan a desarrollarse al nacer y continúan hasta la edad adulta temprana, están influenciadas por las experiencias adquiridas tanto dentro como fuera de la escuela. 

Si su hijo no asistió a la prueba CogAT universal regular el año pasado, será evaluado durante este período. Esto se aplicaría a los estudiantes que actualmente cursan el tercer y posiblemente el sexto o séptimo grado (según el último grado de primaria).

Si su hijo ya está identificado para programación para superdotados, no participará en esta prueba de pantalla universal. Su Facilitador de Educación para Dotados se comunicará con usted directamente con información más detallada sobre este proceso.

Consulte lo siguiente para obtener información adicional vinculada a continuación:

Carta de evaluación universal del DCSD a las familias_otoño

If you have questions about this process, please contact Michelle Robichaud at mlrobichaud@dcsdk12.org (4th-6th grade) or Jillian Holtz at jnholtz@dcsdk12.org (K-3).