Rutledge QUEST - Screening and Testing Process

***NEW DISTRICT POLICY** Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Quest screening will only take place during the spring semester. The only exceptions are transfer GT students who provide documentation of participation in previous GT programs.

2025-2026 ELEMENTARY QUEST SCREENING WINDOWS

Does your child possess some of these Common Characteristics of Gifted Children (source: What is Giftedness?):

- Ability to comprehend material several grade levels above their age peers

- Surprising emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age

- Strong sense of curiosity

- Enthusiastic about unique interests and topics

- Quirky or mature sense of humor

- Creative problem solving and imaginative expression

- Absorbs information quickly with few repetitions needed

-Self-aware, socially aware, and aware of global issues

These MAY be indicators that the QUEST program could be beneficial to your child.

Screening for the QUEST GT program is based on referral by any adult that knows the student. If you feel your child may have an educational need for gifted services, complete the Referral Forms in the link below in order for them to be screened for the GT QUEST program for the 2025-2026 school year.

HOW ARE STUDENTS IDENTIFIED FOR QUEST?

• Every Kindergarten student is screened in the second semester of their Kindergarten year.

• Students in grades K-12 may be referred at any time by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, self, or peers. The person referring a student should complete a referral form and return it to the campus QUEST-G/T teacher, who will add names for the next testing window.

The referral window for the Spring screening 2025- 2026 is now open and will close on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Please use the PURPLE link below to complete the required forms.

Parents of currently enrolled students are asked to complete the following online documents in order to collect as much information as possible about their student for the screening process. Please remember to complete all areas of each survey. Thank you.

All students may be referred by teachers or parents. Referrals can be made by completing the forms found in the link below.

Rutledge Elementary QUEST/GT Referral Link

How are students identified for QUEST?

***NEW DISTRICT POLICY** Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Quest screening will only take place during the spring semester. The only exceptions are transfer GT students who provide documentation of participation in previous GT programs.

Identification is a multi-step process.

Step 1: Screening and Testing. The purpose of screening is to identify students who demonstrate high general intellectual ability and creative thinking. If a student has at least three screening indicators, they may move to testing. Permission from parents must be obtained before intellectual and creative assessments are administered.

Step 2: Placement. To qualify for QUEST-gifted services, students must score in the 95th percentile or greater on intellectual ability and achievement tests.

The QUEST-G/T teachers at each campus gather the screening and identification measures. The measures are evaluated and scored by the QUEST-G/T Identification and Placement Committee. This committee consists of K-12 QUEST-G/T teachers, plus the district coordinator and director. All have at least 30 hours of training in gifted education plus additional hours of training in testing and identification of gifted students. Placement decisions are made by this committee.

For more information, please visit the District QUEST Website

Leander ISD QUEST Website