Testing Information

• The district casts a wide net when looking for potential academic giftedness.

• Whole grade assessments: All 2nd and 5th graders will be screened in the areas of superior cognitive ability and creative thinking.

• All students in grades K-8 will be assessed in reading and math three times a year with the MAP assessment. Only students in grades 2-8 can be identified as gifted in reading and math using the MAP tests.

• All 5th and 8th graders will take the science MAP assessment, but this test is not an identifier of gifted ability.  

• The district also provides small group cognitive testing in the Fall and Spring.

• Please note - Formal gifted services do not begin until 3rd grade.

• Visual & Performing Arts courses are only offered at the high school and screening for these courses generally takes place at the high school level.

• Currently there are no scheduled services for Creative Thinking.

• Only those instruments approved by the Ohio Department of Education shall be used for the screening, assessment, and identification of children who are gifted.

• Upon request, the district reviews the cumulative records of all newly enrolled students transferring into the district. Those students meeting the criteria for gifted identification and/or service are notified by mail.  Additionally, parents/guardians of transfer students may request a screening, and the student will be assessed within 90 days of that referral.

• Scores on assessment instruments approved by the Ohio Department of Education from other school districts and trained personnel outside the school district shall be accepted.

• Talawanda provides parents/guardians with written notification of any assessment results within 30 days of receiving those results.

• District personnel providing regular classroom instruction and/or services to identified students are notified of the students' areas of giftedness.

ALL requests for Gifted Testing, MUST complete the following form:

Please use the above form to request gifted testing for your child.  Testing will be completed within 90 calendar days. 

This is the current testing schedule in Talawanda:

• All students in grades 2- 8 will take the NWEA MAP reading and math assessments three times a year.    

• All students in grades 2 & 5 will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) once in the winter. 

Referral tests will not be administered separately in those grade levels and areas. 

• No remote testing will be used for gifted identification, as a secure testing environment is required.

  • This includes IOWA, CogAT, NWEA MAP, Terra Nova, InView, Stanford, NNAT3, OLSAT, etc. 

• A change in placement will not occur during the current academic year for students. All testing completed during the current academic year is for service the following year. 

If you are uncertain that your child should be tested or have any questions or concerns, please call   Cathy Chenoweth, Coordinator of Gifted Services, 513-273-3124

If your child is on an IEP or 504 Plan that requires accommodations during testing, please notify the Department of Gifted Services at the time of referral.

Upon request, the district reviews the cumulative records of all newly enrolled students.  Those students meeting the criteria for gifted identification and/or service are notified. Additionally, parents/guardians of transfer students may request screening, and the student will be assessed within 90 days of that referral.  

The department’s first step is the contact previous school to obtain test records so that we may determine if qualifying scores already exist.  Unfortunately, this step can take days and sometimes several months to receive test scores. Parents/guardians can speed up the process by either providing copies of the test scores directly to the gifted coordinator or by contacting the previous school and requesting that they send them directly to the Talawanda Department of Gifted Services.  

Upon receipt and review of the records, parents will be informed if a child qualifies or if testing is necessary.

If testing is necessary, we offer testing in early August prior to school beginning.  

Students who enter the district during the school year are also eligible for testing for possible gifted identification.  If students enter the district with current, qualifying scores on any state-approved test, the student will be provided gifted services for that grade level at the earliest time possible.

If the student arrives in the district without qualifying scores, a parent/guardian may request that tests be administered to the child, and the district will schedule testing at the earliest possible time.  

All test results are mailed home.  

Parents may appeal a decision by asking for the reconsideration of the results of any part of the identification process which would include the following:

• Screening procedure or assessment instrument (which results in identification);

• The scheduling of children for assessment;

• The placement of a student in any program;

• Receipt of services.

Parents should submit a letter to the Principal outlining the nature of the concern, and with supporting documentation attached.  The parent must provide evidence that the child’s knowledge, skills, and abilities are superior to those demonstrated and measured by school personnel. Testing from an outside source will be considered, but Talawanda Schools are not responsible for any costs incurred if a parent chooses to obtain information this way. The Principal will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, and the appeal committee to review the appeal request. The Principal will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice will include the reason(s) for the decision. Please note that placement decisions are reversed only in instances where extensive documentation is presented providing significant evidence that the child’s knowledge, skills, and abilities are superior to those measured by school personnel. The decision of the appeal committee is final.