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What Are Our Identification Criteria?
What Are Our Identification Criteria?
We will continue to use multiple criteria from both state and district assessments. In 2023-24, a new cognitive abilities assessment, the CogAT, was administered to grades 3 and 5 and added to our identification matrix. Criteria will be weighted using a points system. All identification criteria used to evaluate students for G&T programs will remain "District-Wide," meaning the same criteria, evaluation process, weightings, and cut scores will be consistently applied to all students at both Cherry Hill and Roosevelt schools.
This could mean that a G&T class may not be offered at one school if the universally applied criteria identify students who meet the requirements at one school, but no students qualify at the other school.
CogAT scores for grades 3 and 5 are available on the LinkIT! Parent Portal as of December 6, 2024.
Criteria Identification
Criteria Identification
Please review our CRITERIA IDENTIFICATION MATRIX for our enrichment programs. This document includes all assessments that are used, by grade, along with their timing and the range of points that can be assigned to each. This criteria matrix will remain mostly constant from year to year.
Please review our CRITERIA IDENTIFICATION MATRIX for our enrichment programs. This document includes all assessments that are used, by grade, along with their timing and the range of points that can be assigned to each. This criteria matrix will remain mostly constant from year to year.
Notable change from 2023-24 - TC Reading and Writing scores are no longer being used. DIBELS will replace TCs.
Criteria Scoring, Cut Scores, and CogAT Information
Criteria Scoring, Cut Scores, and CogAT Information
Each fall, data from the above-identified assessments will be reviewed and analyzed. Specific cut scores will be calculated for each grade and the Tiers will be established. Those calculations, cut scores, and the weighted points assigned to each tier are detailed in our Criteria Scoring Matrix (2024-25). * This will change from year to year as the pool of students is different and so is their assessment data. From these total point scores, students will be identified as either Tier III, which is our REignite program, or Tier II, which is our academic enrichment program.
Each fall, data from the above-identified assessments will be reviewed and analyzed. Specific cut scores will be calculated for each grade and the Tiers will be established. Those calculations, cut scores, and the weighted points assigned to each tier are detailed in our Criteria Scoring Matrix (2024-25). * This will change from year to year as the pool of students is different and so is their assessment data. From these total point scores, students will be identified as either Tier III, which is our REignite program, or Tier II, which is our academic enrichment program.
An update was made to the Criteria Scoring Matrix on Thursday, Oct 24th.
CogAT Information for Third and Fifth Graders
The CogAT screener, a cognitive abilities assessment, is used as one of the criteria in our G&T program. This screener is listed on the district assessment calendar and is given to 3rd and 5th graders in the fall.
The screener includes three batteries, which are:
Verbal Reasoning: This section assesses how well your child understands and makes inferences about words and language. The section includes 22 questions in 3rd grade and 24 questions in 5th grade.
Quantitative Reasoning: This section assesses your child's grasp of basic mathematical concepts and relationships. The section includes 18 questions in both 3rd and 5th grades.
Non-verbal Reasoning: This section assesses your child's ability to solve problems using pictures and geometric shapes. The section includes 20 questions in 3rd grade and 22 questions in 5th grade.
Your child's SAS (Standard Age Score) is used as a criterion for G&T placement.
CogAT data can be found on the LinkIt! parent portal at https://res.linkit.com/Parent.
Here is an explanation of the score band calculations used to determine earned points in the Criteria Score Matrix.
Here is an explanation of the score band calculations used to determine earned points in the Criteria Score Matrix.
The methodology for each data point, or assessment, is the same for all grades and all criteria. Score bands are calculated consistently for each assessment (Linkit form A, NJSLA, CogAT, DIBELS, etc). Here is an example for any assessment, with sample numbers filled in for the explanation:
The methodology for each data point, or assessment, is the same for all grades and all criteria. Score bands are calculated consistently for each assessment (Linkit form A, NJSLA, CogAT, DIBELS, etc). Here is an example for any assessment, with sample numbers filled in for the explanation:
Assessment TOP SCORE: 850
Assessment LOW SCORE: 710
RANGE (top score - lowest score) = 140
Score band (Range/10) = 14 points. Each 10% score band is 14 points wide.
The top 10% score band is from 850 down to (850-14) 836 which becomes the bottom cut score of the top 10% score band.
Students with scores in this score band would earn 2 points, for example, towards their total weighted points.
The second 10% score band, from 11-20% would be the next 14 points. 836-14 = 822 which is the bottom cut score of the second 10% score band.
Students with scores in this range would earn 1 point.
Students below 20% earn zero points.
This is repeated for each assessment, and the total points earned are used to determine eligibility for G&T. Additional cut scores are used for enrichment, and those are detailed in the Criteria Score Matrix as well. Those "CUTS" are highlighted in green in the middle of each tab of the score matrix. There are some slight variations in the points awarded, but ELA and Math are weighted equally everywhere.
Continued Eligibility in the Program
Continued Eligibility in the Program
- Be highly motivated to pursue your ideas.
- Participate fully in all Gifted & Talented activities and projects in school and at home.
- Attend class regularly. Be on time. Come prepared.
- Maintain a high level of academic success throughout the school year in your regular classes.
- Keep up with all classroom and homework assignments while engaging in this program.
These are the guiding principles for continue participation in our classes. Any issues regarding these points will be brought up and discussed with teachers and parents.
These are the guiding principles for continue participation in our classes. Any issues regarding these points will be brought up and discussed with teachers and parents.
Gifted & Talented Invitation Letters
Gifted & Talented Invitation Letters
The following are copies of the invitation letters that families will receive if their child was invited to any of our 4 Gifted & Talented programs:
The following are copies of the invitation letters that families will receive if their child was invited to any of our 4 Gifted & Talented programs:
TIER III - REignite for grades K-6
TIER III - REignite for grades K-6
TIER II - Integrated Enrichment for grades K-3
TIER II - Integrated Enrichment for grades K-3
TIER II - ELA Enrichment for grades 4-6
TIER II - ELA Enrichment for grades 4-6
TIER II - Math Enrichment for grades 4-6
TIER II - Math Enrichment for grades 4-6
24-25 G&T Notification - REignite - Grades K-624-25 G&T Notification - Integrated Enrichment - Grades K-324-25 G&T Notification - ELA Enrichment - Grades 4-624-25 G&T Notification - Math Enrichment - Grades 4-6Page updated
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