Testing and the AIG Identification Process

4th-5th Grade Identification Process

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Parent(s) and teacher(s) (as well as the student themselves) are able to nominate a student for referral to the School Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBCGE). All nominations must be received in writing (Google Form nomination completion or email to kguza2) during the designated time frame above. 

Any nominations received after December 13 can be taken.  

However, the next testing window will not be until the Fall of the 2025-26 school year.

Step 1: Nomination 

Parents, teachers, or students submit (in writing/Google Form) a nomination for referral to the School Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBCGE).

NOMINATION FORM 

Nomination does not guarantee that your student will be referred by the committee (tested).  

Step 2: SBCGE Review 

The SBCGE meets to consider all nominations. The committee reviews available student data and documentation based on formal and informal indicators and determines if the nominated student will be referred for testing.

Data that is Gathered: 

• Teacher Survey and Parent Survey

• Grade Level Assessments Data (mClass data, NC Check In, Star Math data, EL assessments, Grade level Math assessments) 

• Historical Data (EOG, previous grade level assessments and grades, etc.)

• Classroom Work Samples  

 Deciding to refer a student for further testing/review is determined by thorough and complete review of all current and past data to see the whole student. This referral for further evaluation is taken very seriously.  

For students that are not referred by the committee, this will be the end of the AIG identification process. 

Step 3: AIG Data Collection (Portfolio or Additional Testing) ONLY IF REFERRED by the SBCGE

​Referred students are scheduled for formal assessment in aptitude (Cognitive Abilities Test-CogAT) and achievement (Iowa Test of Basic Skills-ITBS) during established testing windows unless the committee is able to use the data collected to qualify through the portfolio process. The School Based Committee for Gifted Education collects additional student data (beyond what was previously collected) during this time. This may include Gifted Rating Scale surveys completed by the classroom teacher, work samples created for completion by the AIG teacher, any additional/new classroom work samples and assessment data, etc.

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Step 4: Identification Decision

After all testing and multiple data sources collection is complete the SBCGE will meet again to make a decision on whether the student has the data to be identified for differentiated services (AIG, Academically Gifted (AG), or Intellectually Gifted (IG) identified).  All services for identified students are the same.

If a SBCGE-referred student does not qualify through testing or portfolio, they will be placed in the Talent Development Program.  The Talent Development Program allows those students that had enough data to be referred but do not quite have the data to officially qualify an opportunity to have that exposure to differentiated activities/curriculum.  Data will continue to be collected, updated on the portfolio rubric, and reviewed by the committee.

Parents are notified about the committee's decision and the data used.  

3rd Grade Identification Process

3rd grade is the universal screening year in WCPSS.  

Testing: (2nd Quarter)

ALL students will take the Cognitive Abilities (CogAt) Assessment.

A student will automatically qualify for services by achieving a 95% or higher on the verbal or VN (for reading) and quantitative or QN (for math).

Some students may be asked to do further testing and take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills for additional data.  

Explorers:  (1st and 2nd Quarters)

Also in third grade, the AIG teacher works in partnership with third grade teachers to plan a variety of experiences designed to elicit high academic performance. Several times during the first part of the year, the AIG teacher works in the whole class. The AIG and the classroom teachers assess student performance during these experiences.  

Students who demonstrate high performance participate in small group enrichment activities.  These activities are used to see how students perform and collect work samples for the SBCGE to use in discussions. Some students may participate in one or more small group experiences, while other students may not demonstrate a need for this enrichment. Participation in a small group experience does not mean that the student has been, or will be, identified for future AIG services.  This is just a way to make sure we are seeing the whole student.

3rd Quarter is when the SBCGE will review all 3rd grade data (testing, informal and formal assessments and work through the classroom and Explorers, etc.) to determine students that have qualified for services.  

Services for students that have qualified will begin 4th quarter.  

K-2 Identification Process

1.  A student is considered for AIG identification in Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade when they are working at a level 1½ to 2 years above grade level. 

A student’s above grade level performance is documented via data/portfolio collection in both reading and mathematics.

​2.  The School Based Committee for Gifted Education reviews the student’s portfolio to determine if a referral to AIG Central Services is appropriate.

3. AIG Central Services reviews the data and portfolio for referral decision. Referred students are submitted to the AIG psychologist for evaluation.  

To qualify, students must score at the 98th percentile for the ability test and the 98th percentile for an area of achievement (reading and/or math) 

Testing FAQ

Are the test scores the only thing the SBCGE uses to determine placement?

No.  As part of the identification process, both teachers and parents provide feedback on the strengths of the student.   Student work samples, grade level assessments, historical data (such as EOG scores, past grade level assessments, grades), AIG teacher created work samples, and other indicators of achievement are also considered.  If a student has been referred by the committee for further evaluation but does not qualify through testing alone, a portfolio rubric will be used with these pieces.  In order to qualify through this portfolio, a student must obtain a WCPSS set number of points on the rubric.

Why does it take so long to find out my students' results?

The identification process is made up of many steps. After the nomination window closes, the SBCGE meets to make referrals.  Consent forms, teacher feedback, and parent feedback must be collected.  Students receive their testing, which is scored off-site over the course of several weeks.  After test scores are returned to schools, the SBCGE reviews testing data and informal indicators for each student.  Once school-level decisions are made, all paperwork must go through the AIG Department's record review before results become official.  This record review is held near the end of the semester.  Once the record review is over, documentation and information about decisions are prepared for parents and sent home on a date determined by the AIG Department.  Services can only begin after all documents have been returned signed.

How often will an AIG student be served?

Averages 45 minutes per subject of direct AIG time with the AIG teacher each week.  The AIG teacher collaborates with the classroom teachers in order to provide support to AIG students in the regular classroom.

My student did not qualify.  When can they be tested again?

Students can only be tested once every calendar year. 

My student did qualify. Is it required for them to be in the program?

No.  Parents must give permission for them to start in the program.  There is a yes/no box on the consent form for services.

Have a question that isn't found here?  Please email Ms. Guza (kguza2).  

Slides from the meeting will be shared here after it takes place.