Screening:

Students are identified for Gifted & Talented services in one of two ways: They are either identified through our universal screening process, or they are nominated by parents/guardians, teachers, peers, or themselves. 

In MSAD 51, we use the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as our universal screening tool. All students take this test in grades 2 and 5 as part of the district's screening process (unless recent, comparable test results are available). New students without CogAT results on file are also given the opportunity to take the test during the first few weeks of school. A permission form will be issued from the appropriate building administrator prior to testing. 

Once all tests have been administered, parents will be notified of their child's scores in the areas of Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal Reasoning, as well as an overall Composite Score. As a general guideline, we are looking for students who score in the top 2% (local percentage rank) in at least one academic area, however, we consider additional factors during the identification phase outlined below. Chapter 104 of the Maine Education Rules dictates that we identify 3-5% of the district's student population, therefore we must be very selective in order to meet this mandate. Depending on the results of the CogAT screening process, it may be necessary to make adjustments to the qualification criteria in order to stay within the 3-5%. If your child qualifies for GT services, a permission form for participation in the program will also be issued from the main office of your child's school. 

Transfer students identified in their previous districts may not necessarily qualify for GT services in MSAD 51. We conduct a thorough file review of all new and returning students to determine if they meet the district's criteria. If updated testing data is required for our identification process, parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted for permission to test.

Nomination:

Again, students may be nominated by teachers, parents or guardians, peers, or themselves. A nomination initiates the identification process outlined below. To nominate a student, please follow the directions below:

• Parents, guardians & students: To nominate your child, please email your child's teacher AND the appropriate GT staff member (Mark McDonough for Math, Science & Music; Katie Cassesse for ELA, Social Studies & Art) to initiate the nomination process. Once you've done so, we will work with you and your child's teachers to collect the necessary information. 

• Teachers: Please email the appropriate GT staff member (Mark McDonough for Math, Science & Music; Katie Cassesse for ELA, Social Studies & Art) to initiate the nomination process. We will share the proper form(s) with you.

Identification:

In order to determine if a student requires our services, the GT staff collects a variety of data. The results of the CogAT, as well as other relevant standardized tests, are collected and organized for analysis. Our staff also compiles specific information from your child's teacher(s) using standardized forms based upon the behavioral characteristics of advanced learners. When needed, we seek additional information from parents, and on occasion, students themselves. For the visual, and performing arts, we require work samples.  (See VPA Identification below.) It's important to note that identification in math and ELA differs from other academic areas, in that identification is heavily reliant on the result of our universal screener. The GT Identification Team at each school reviews other data, including the results of surveys and interviews for those nominated for GT services in science, social studies , and VPA.

The decision as to whether or not a student qualifies for our services is made by a building-based GT Identification Committee. Per the DOE's rules, an identification committee must include at least one GT staff member, classroom teacher, and building administrator; our committees typically exceed this minimum requirement. At an identification meeting, student data is shared anonymously to eliminate bias. The central question driving the committee's decision-making is: Does this student demonstrate a compelling need for differentiation beyond what is possible in the regular education setting? 

Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) Identification:

Just as students are identified for Gifted and Talented Services in ELA, math, science, and social studies, GMS 5-8 students can also be identified in the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), namely art and music in MSAD 51. Programming for GT VPA is a bit different, however, in that the differentiation takes place in VPA classrooms by VPA Teachers. Identified students will be offered alternatives to explore, extensions to class projects, competition and publishing/performance opportunities, and enrichment sessions with guest artists. Prior to grades 5-8, GT VPA will be enrichment-based, and identification will be done on a case-by-case basis. 

Identification Data Points: Art

• CogAT Nonverbal Reasoning score

• Student Survey

• Parent/guardian Survey

• Grade 5 universal art project & scoring rubric and/or student work samples & rubric

• Teacher rating scales (Renzulli Scales): Learning, Creativity, Motivation & Artistic Characteristics scales

Identification Data Points: Music

• Student Survey

• Parent/guardian Survey

• Performance videos & rubric

• Teacher rating scale (Renzulli Scales): Learning, Creativity, Motivation & Musical Characteristics scales

GT Screening & Identification Timeline • 2024-2025

Late August/Early-Mid September:

• • GT staff conducts a file review of all new & re-enrolled students to screen for GT services.

  • GT staff requests permission to administer the CogAT to students without scores on file via email.

  • GT staff administers the CogAT to new & re-enrolled students.

Late September:

• • GT Staff sends CogAT scores & letter to families of new & re-enrolled students.

  • GT classes begin (roughly the third week of September).

Early-Mid November (45 days after the first day of school)

• GT staff distributes nomination forms to teachers of those who qualify & collect any other supporting materials.

• GT staff schedules & holds Identification meetings to potentially identify qualifying students.

Late February/Early March:

• • Classroom teachers administer the CogAT to 2nd & 5th grade students.

March:

• • GT staff administers makeup CogAT tests.

  • GT staff collects standardized test scores (NWEA, iReady, other academic/cognitive testing…).

Late March:

• • Office staff sends CogAT results & cover letters to 2nd & 5th grade families.  

  • Office staff adds CogAT results to cumulative files.

  • GT staff connects with teachers of students being nominated due to high CogAT scores, and/or standardized scores. Provide individual nomination form(s) & due dates. Work with teachers to complete forms (as needed).

Early April:

• • GT staff will take a professional day to meet with teachers & teams to discuss students who are exceeding standards/exhibiting characteristics of giftedness. 

  • GT staff informs teachers of the screening process timeline & key deadlines.

Mid April (Before break):

• • GT staff collects all nomination forms.

Late April:

• • GT staff sets dates for screening committee meetings.

  • GT staff collects & organizes data for screening committee meetings.

Mid May:

• • Screening committee meetings are held.

  • Administrators send letters/emails to teachers & families about GT services for the following school year.

GT classes end 1 week prior to the last day of school:

• • GT staff works on identification, notification, scheduling & data entry.

Please note that this timeline is subject to change as unforeseen events may necessitate adjustments to scheduled events.