Identification Process

Gifted and Talented Identification

Instruments:

In order to identify students for the Talent Development Program, several assessment instruments are utilized. The student profile includes:

• 1. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores

  2. FAST testing, iReady, MAP/NWEA

  3. Teacher referral

  4. Other: CoGAT, STAR reading assessment, accelerated reader, outside assessments etc.

Process:

• 1. Scores are accumulated over time and evaluated for further gifted/talented placement.  Students that score at the 90% or higher consistently will be further tested for potential placement.

  2. Parents are notified that their child will be further tested for potential placement in the GT cluster program

  3. A parent information meeting is held to present additional information about the program.

  4. Coordinator obtains most recent FAST/iReady and MCA test scores

  5. Cognitive abilities test is administered

  6. Other pertinent information is gathered (STAR, Sp.Ed. records etc.)

  7. Selection committee examines findings and makes final selections

  8. Parents are notified of final selections

Students new to the district

When new students enter the district, records are screened for participation in gifted and talented programs in their previous school. Students who have been identified in a previous school district by a testing process similar to that used by Delano Public Schools will be assessment for placement into the Talent Development Program.  While we try to honor placement in other districts, it is still our practice to assess based on Delano's placement criteria.

Students who have not been previously tested may be referred for screening during the next scheduled assessment period to determine placement.

Kindergarten Early Entrance Process

Early Entrance to Kindergarten Application Procedure

The following procedures will govern those students whose parents apply for early entrance to kindergarten:

1)    The parents of any district child whose birthday falls between September 2nd and October 15th may request consideration for early entrance to kindergarten by March 1st preceding the September of the desired entrance.

2)    If a child has attended kindergarten in another state, and is not five years of age, the child will have to proceed through the Early Entrance Procedure.  The child would have to qualify by meeting standards and team approval before beginning kindergarten.

3)    Parents should request an application form from the Elementary Principal, Rachel Schultz at 763-972-6200.  Parents should complete the form and return it with a $200 screening fee.

4)    Parents must complete and return student questionnaire to the elementary principal by March 15th

5)     Parents must make an appointment to visit a kindergarten classroom and visit with the classroom teacher by March 15th.

6)    The child will be screened by a kindergarten teacher by March 15th.

7)    If the child meets the criteria established by the kindergarten teacher who conducts the screening, the child will be referred to the school authorized licensed psychologist for an intellectual assessment.  

8)    The child will meet with the school Gifted and Talented Instructor for a short assessment.

9)    The child will take the Gesell Screening Assessment and must score a developmental age of at least 6 – 6 ½ years on the screening, and demonstrate an IQ of at least 130 on the ability test.  

10) The Early Entrance team or representative will confer with the parent(s) to discuss the evaluation and make a determination if the process is to continue.

11) Upon the completion of the total assessment process, a team decision will be made.  Members of the team may include: a kindergarten teacher, a first grade teacher, the Gesell Administrator, the school district psychologist, G/T instructor, and elementary principal. The Early Entrance team’s decision is final.