What is 2nd Grade Explorers?
The AIG teacher works in partnership with all second grade teachers to provide a variety of in-class experiences in language arts and mathematics designed to elicit high academic performance. ALL second grade students participate in whole class experiences. As the year progresses, students who demonstrate potential in these in-class experiences receive advanced and enriched learning opportunities. Student groups remain flexible and fluid throughout the school year to allow students with varying strengths and gifts to benefit from higher level instruction from a gifted specialist. This also provides the opportunity for the AIG teacher to develop work samples demonstrating higher-order and problem-solving skills. This can be used as part of the student’s portfolio to support the need for AIG identification. Participation in Explorers does not guarantee identification in the WCPSS AIG Program.
Identification Process (via CogAT/Iowa)
STEP 1: All second grade students participate in the CogAT testing.
STEP 2: CogAT testing results are reviewed by the School Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBCGE). Students with 85% or higher scores will be invited to take the Iowa Assessments.
STEP 3: When Iowa scores return, the SBCGE will determine which students can be identified using test scores only. Students may qualify for AIG services based on screening results (CogAT only, Iowa only, or both).
STEP 4: For students that demonstrate gifts/talents outside of standardized testing, portfolio data collection can be used. The portfolio data rubric requires multiple points of data.
STEP 5: The SBCGE reviews this data for referral and/or identification decisions. Third grade students that are referred but do not qualify will be served in Talent Development. AIG/Talent Development Services will begin for students that qualify during the 4th quarter.
*All test results and identification decisions are shared with families as they become available.
CogAT/Iowa Parent Explanations
2nd Grade Testing Dates:
CogAT-
TBD
Iowa-
TBD