Explorers

Explorers services are offered to all third graders at the start of the year. In 3rd grade we begin the official identification process for AIG with Explorer Lessons. This program provides additional enrichment time for the 3rd grade students who are showing exceptional abilities. In the beginning of the year all 3rd graders receive instruction from the AIG teacher. As the year progresses this changes to smaller groups of our highly capable students. These groups are flexible and guided by data that shows which students would benefit the most from additional enrichment.

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) administers a universal screening instrument (Cognitive Abilities Test ) to all 3rd grade students enrolled at the time of testing. Third grade students with a CogAT composite or subtest score that ranks at or above the 85th percentile will take the Iowa Assessment in reading and math. All students who earn a score that ranks at or above the 95th percentile on both the CogAT and Iowa, or one of the formal assessments and an individual assessment, are considered for AIG identification by the School Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBCGE). Informal Assessment data is also a factor in identification. Informal Assessments may include measures of performance, interest and motivation (such as teacher and parent checklists), academic grades in reading/language arts and mathematics, student progress on grade level standards in literacy and math, and work samples. Those students whose data and work sample portfolio demonstrate high performing characteristics, and whose scores are below the AIG identification threshold, may be identified for Talent Development services.

All current 3rd graders will be screened with the Cognitive Abilities Test during the 2022-2023 school year, as part of the WCPSS universal screening. Select students will then take the IOWA Assessments in reading and math.

3rd Graders who are identified will start receiving services in the 4th Quarter of this year!