Referral and Identification
Screening
Prior to the general windows of identification testing, all students will be screened through a variety of methods to determine a group of students who may require further consideration for gifted services. The screening process may include one or more of the following data collections:
- State and division level assessments
- Subject area grades and classroom performance
- Teacher observation of specific gifted traits (Grades K-8)
- Planned experience lessons with student products compiled in student portfolios (Grades 1, 3, and 5)
Referrals
Referrals can be made by any of the following: teachers, parents or guardians, other school professionals, or the student himself/herself. The referral/identification process will begin upon the submission to the gifted coordinator of the Radford City Schools Referral for Gifted Services. This form must be submitted to begin the process. Verbal or email communication will not serve as an official referral. This form can be found on the gifted website or requested from the gifted coordinator.
Within 10 instructional days of the referral submission, the gifted coordinator will request the parent/guardian’s permission to administer testing and collect additional student data.
Identification
This timeline presents a simplified version of the referral/identification process. Any of the forms can be found in the Gifted Forms section of this website or requested from the gifted coordinator at eeagle@rcps.org. From the time the permission to test is received, RCPS has 90 instructional days to complete the identification process and notify the parent of any referred student's gifted status.
Identification Procedures
During the referral/identification process, the coordinator will collect the following data and enter it into the Gifted Identification Rubric to help the identification committee make a decision about the student’s qualification:
a. Nationally norm-referenced testing (if no current testing is available, i.e. within the past two years)
b. Nationally norm-referenced teacher evaluation
c. Nationally norm-referenced parent evaluation
d. Subject area grades (grades 3-12)
e. Subject area state test scores (grades 4-12)
f. Running records or local math assessment scores (grades K-2)
g. Readiness screenings used at the primary level (grades K-2)
The Identification Committee will review the rubric and the data collected by the gifted coordinator. Using this information, the Committee will determine whether the student is eligible for gifted services in Language Arts and/or mathematics. The Committee will notify the parent(s)/guardian(s), the principal, and the teacher of the decision. This notification will be sent no more than 90 instructional days after the permission to test was received.
**The identification profile used for identification can be found on the Gifted Forms page of this website.
Notification, Placement, and Appeals
Notification
Once the Identification Committee meets to determine the student’s eligibility, the parent/guardian of the student will receive the following:
- A notification letter stating the committee’s determination
- Information on the appeals process
- A request for permission allowing the school district to provide appropriate service options
The parent/guardian must give permission for their child to receive services.
Placement
Once students are identified, gifted services begin. Gifted services vary by grade level as follows:
- A Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) will be written for any student who is determined eligible for services grades K-8.
- Primary and elementary students are clustered and receive differentiated services within the classroom. Cluster grouping will go into effect the following school year. Students will not be moved in the midst of a school year.
- Intermediate students receive differentiated services within the classroom.
- Secondary students have access to a multitude of advanced, dual enrollment, and AP classes.
Appeals
The parent/guardian of the student screened may appeal any part of the committee's decision. A detailed description of the appeals process can be found on the Gifted Forms page of this website.