In the state of Kentucky, children can be identified for gifted/talented services beginning in fourth grade. In Fayette County, all students are tested in 3rd grade for potential identification beginning in 4th grade. If a child in primary (Kindergarten-third grade) shows high potential in one of the areas of giftedness, that child can be selected for Primary Talent Pool. Formal testing is not required for PTP, but at least three pieces of evidence must be collected to demonstrate advanced ability. A portfolio of work samples at least 1 to 2 years above grade level is requried as one of the three pieces of evidence for academic areas. It generally takes about six weeks to collect work samples, other pieces of evidence, and convene our PTP Recommendation Committee which meets to determine placement and service options. Primary Talent Pool ends at the end of third grade. Students in PTP are not automatically identified for gifted services in fourth grade. For more information about the state gifted regulations which we are required to follow, please click HERE.
In the state of Kentucky, the areas are General Intellectual Ability (GI), Specific Academic Aptitude: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Creativity, Leadership, and Visual/Performing Arts: Visual Art, Music, Drama, and Dance.
In Fayette County Public Schools, all third grade students are given the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The CogAT is used to identify students for General Intellectual Ability. The Iowa Assessments are used to identify students for the Specific Academic Areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Per state regulation, students must score in the 96th percentile or above to qualify for gifted identification. For GI, students must receive a composite VQN score in the 96th percentile (NPR) or higher. For Language Arts, they must have a 96th percenitle (NPR) or higher for the Reading Total score. For Math identification, they must have a 96th percenitle (NPR) or higher for the Math Total score.
The Gifted Talented Recommendation Committee at Cassidy meets throughout the year. In the fall, we will look at fourth and fifth grade students who are on our "watch list" for testing. These are students who scored close to the ninth stanine on previous gifted screeners, have high MAP scores, and demonstrate characteristics of giftedness in the classroom. Teachers will collect evidence to support testing, and then the GRC will meet to determine which tests will be administered. We are only able to test during certain assessment windows which are set by the district. For fourth and fifth grade students, this window is usually in November.
Parents/guardians can also file an official appeal to request further testing. After the initial paperwork is received, teachers will collect evidence and work samples from your student. Then, the school level GRC will meet, review all the evidence, and determine if testing is warranted. If a parent/guardian does not agree with the committee's decision, they can file an appeal with the district office.
Yes! I will need to contact the sending G/T teacher to verify identification and service options.
Maybe. Other states have different requirements for identification. In the state of Kentucky, a score in the ninth stanine on a norm-referenced test is required. I will have to check your child's records to see if additional testing may be needed for identification in the state of Kentucky.
In the state of Kentucky, we use a variety of services to meet the needs of students. Resource (pull-out) is just one service option. For more information about service options, please click HERE.
The first thing to do any time you don't feel your child's needs are being met is to schedule a conference with your child's teacher. Discuss how you feel with her and see if you can come up with a plan. If you have tried this already, contact me and I will work with the homeroom teacher to see how we can best meet the needs of your child.
For a description of special programs/schools in FCPS, please click HERE. The Gifted Accelerated Program (GTAP) at Ashland is a program for highly gifted students. Students must qualify for gifted services in three areas in order to attend this program: GI, Math, and Language Arts. In other words, students must score in the 96th percentile or above on the CogAT, Iowa Math, and Iowa Reading.
9. How are students identified for gifted services in the visual/performing arts, leadership, and creativity?
Each year, the district holds open auditions for visual/performing arts for all students in third grade and above. Auditions are scored by the District Gifted Arts Committee, and results are typically sent home in January or February. If students are identified, they will participate in special activities with me or district staff throughout the spring semester. Once identified, students keep their identification all throughout their years in Fayette County Schools. They do not need to audition again.
Some students who don't score high enough to qualify for identification are considered "high potential" students. These students will still participate in activities with me, but will need to audition again the following year to continue receiving services.
Students who don't score high enough according to the district committee are encouraged to continue working on their skills and audition again in the future. It can be very disheartening for students who audition but don't qualify. It is important to discuss this possibility with your child throughout the audition process.
Screenings for leadership and creativity will take place in middle school. Students who demonstrate high potential in leadership or creativity will be invited to participate in group activities at their middle school.
Students in Kindergarten through third grade can be selected for any of the VPA areas, creativity, or leadership. We must collect work samples and other pieces of evidence. The PTP Recommendation Committee will meet and determine placement in PTP and service options. All students exit PTP at the end of third grade.
GTAP (Gifted/Talented Accelerated Program) at Ashland is an option for students who have a ninth stanine (96th-99th percentile) score in GI, Math, and Language Arts. They must qualify in all three areas. The Gifted & Talented Accelerated Program or GTAP is a full-time gifted service offered by Fayette County Public Schools. It comprises self-contained classrooms of highly-gifted students. The curriculum is both accelerated and enriched. All students who qualify from this program will receive communication in late December. Then interested families will need to complete an application on Schoolmint in March. After the application window closes, families will receive an official offer from the program director. After this process, families of students who are interested but do not meet the program criteria may be able to request testing if there are spots available. This will occur in April, 2026.