Testing

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is administered to all third grade students in WCPSS. The CogAT benchmark testing is used for educational planning. Individual student data is accessed by the Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program and other WCPSS educational programs.

The CogAT Batteries are:

• Verbal – measure of verbal reasoning skills

• Quantitative– measure of math reasoning skills

• Nonverbal – measure of visual-spatial reasoning

The Verbal-Nonverbal Partial Composite (VN) combines the three Verbal subtests and the three Nonverbal subtests. This composite score is a good predictor of achievement in reading and language arts.

The Quantitative-Nonverbal Partial Composite (QN) combines the three Quantitative subtests and the three Nonverbal subtests. This composite score better predicts achievement in mathematics.

The Full Composite (VQN) indicates the overall strength of the student’s cognitive resources for learning.

Students with an age-based Composite or subtest battery score at or above the 85^th percentile (85%) are eligible to take the Iowa Assessments (Iowa). Parents will receive a permission form that must be signed and returned to the school before the student can take the Iowa.

Additional factors (Informal Indicators) are considered in determining AIG eligibility. These factors include student interest, motivation, classroom performance, third grade Explorers’ work samples, parent and teacher checklists, etc. The overall profile of the student is considered in the overall identification process.

The Iowa assessment is used as a part of the AIG identification process and is taken in 3rd grade after the CogAT. The Iowa assessment is not provided for all third grade students. Individual student data is accessed by the Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program and other WCPSS educational programs.

Students with an age-based Composite or subtest battery score at or above the 85^th percentile (85%) are eligible to take the Iowa Assessments (Iowa). Parents will receive a permission form that must be signed and returned to the school before the student can take the Iowa.

Additional factors (Informal Indicators) are considered in determining AIG eligibility. These factors include student interest, motivation, classroom performance, third grade Explorers’ work samples, parent and teacher checklists, etc. The overall profile of the student is considered in the overall identification process.