2nd Grade Explorers

2nd Grade Explorers Program

The Wake County AIG Program supports a unique nurturing component, for all 2nd grade students called, Explorers.  During the first quarter, the AIG teacher will push into every 2nd grade classroom weekly to perform a variety of experiences designed to elicit high academic performance. The AIG and the classroom teachers assess all student performance during these experiences. During the second quarter, students who demonstrate high performance will participate in small group pull-out enrichment activities.  Some students may participate in one or more small group experiences, while others 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.  Evidence from 2nd grade explorers may be considered an informal indicator, including student learning behaviors, performance, interest, and motivation.  Formal indicators, such as aptitude and achievement scores from norm-referenced tests, are also considered for possible AIG nomination. 

During the second quarter, all 2nd grade students will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). All 2nd grade students will practice taking all nine subtests. Students who score 85% or higher on any of the nine subtests will be invited to take the IOWA Achievement Test. Any 2nd grade student who scores 95% or higher on their Cognitive Abilities Test will be identified as Intellectually Gifted (IG). Any 2nd grade student who scores 95% or higher on the IOWA Achievement Test will be identified as Academically Gifted (AG). Any student that scores 95% or higher on both tests will be identified as Academically and Intellectually (AIG) gifted.  All three identifications will receive the same services.  Any 3rd grade student identified as AIG/IG/AG will begin receiving pull-out AIG services in their identified area of English Language Arts and/or Mathematics during the latter half of the second semester.

 During the third quarter, the AIG team and the Woods Creek Elementary School's School-Based Committee for Gifted Education will be evaluating all 2nd grade student's informal and formal data to determine AIG identification. Informal data includes the parent observation checklist, teacher observation checklist, and interviews with the AIG candidate's current and last year's classroom teacher. Formal data gathered are Cognitive Abilities Test scores, IOWA Achievement Test scores, any additional achievement/aptitude testing scores, EOG scores, report cards, mClass data, Star Math assessment, and classroom unit assessments. Small pull-out groups will continue for English Language Arts and/or Mathematics for 30 minutes per week for each subject. AIG/IG/AG students will be identified and invited to the AIG program.

 During the fourth quarter, AIG/IG/AG services will begin for 45 minutes per week for each subject the student has been identified, English Language Arts and/or Mathematics. All students identified will continue to receive enrichment opportunities from their classroom teacher. Teachers, parents, and legal guardians can nominate any students not identified for AIG for AIG testing again next school year. Students can only be AIG tested once per academic school year.