Gifted Identification

Important Information: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) -

February 2022

2nd Grade Universal Screening,

Grades K and 1 Referral Testing

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 weeks of February 7th through the 14th. 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.

If you have any questions, please contact

Misti Smith, SRE Gifted Education Facilitator

Misti.Smith@dcsdk12.org

Important Information: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) -

November 2021

6th Grade Universal Screening,

3rd and 7th Grade former eLearner Makeup Universal Screening,

and Grades 3, 4, and 5 Referral Testing

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/6th Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in sixth grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the first two weeks of 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 missed their regular universal CogAT screening last year, they will be assessed during this window. This would pertain to students currently in 3rd and possibly 6th or 7th grade (depending on the last grade in elementary).

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 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

If you have any questions, please contact

Misti Smith, SRE Gifted Education Facilitator

Misti.Smith@dcsdk12.org

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).

As part of this process, ALL students in sixth grade who have not been identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the first two weeks of 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 missed their regular universal CogAT screening last year, they will be assessed during this window. This would pertain to students currently in 3rd and possibly 6th or 7th grade (depending on the last grade in elementary).

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 more detailed information about this process.

Please see the following for additional information linked below:

DCSD Universal Screening Letter to Families_Fall 2021

If you have any questions, please contact

Misti Smith, SRE Gifted Education Facilitator

Misti.Smith@dcsdk12.org

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 sexto grado que no hayan sido identificados para la programación para superdotados tomarán la Prueba de Habilidades Cognitivas (CogAT) las dos primeras semanas de noviembre. 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:

DCSD Universal Screening Letter to Families_Fall 2021_Spanish

Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con

Misti Smith, SRE Gifted Education Facilitator

Misti.Smith@dcsdk12.org