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The 4-Step Selection Cycle
Step 1: Nomination
Parents, peers, staff, or community members may nominate a student in grades 3, 4, 5 and 7 for gifted services evaluation by completing a nomination form (Appendices). Nomination forms are available from the gifted coordinator, building-level gifted specialists, and on the district website. Completed forms are collected by the building gifted specialist. Nomination forms are available starting in December and must be submitted on or before January 31 of each school year for spring evaluation.
Step 2: Screening Pool
All students in grades 2 & 6 and all nominated students take the Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT). Gifted Specialists identify students in grades 2 & 6 with local age scores (SAS) and percentiles of NGAT or propensity scores that meet or exceed at a statistically significant level to move to the next step. All nominated students automatically continue through the identification process.
Step 3: Profile Form Compilation
Information gathered about nominated and screened students is entered on a secure, computer-generated profile form. This form, used by the identification panel during the selection review, is saved by a 6-digit student identification number to protect student anonymity.
Step 4: Review and Placement Decision
Data collected on screened students is reviewed and evaluated by the Identification Panel (composed of trained district staff members). The panel determines need and placement for gifted services. Following the panel's decision, parents receive a formal letter of notification from the gifted coordinator or building gifted specialist regarding need and placement.
Understanding the Evaluation Criteria
Understanding the Evaluation Criteria
Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT): Measures cognitive development across three areas: Verbal (reasoning with concepts and patterns), Quantitative (reasoning with numbers and patterns), and Nonverbal (reasoning with geometric shapes). This test reflects the latest research in measuring cognitive ability in an equitable manner.
Propensity Score: Developed by ECRA Group, this score synthesizes the prior year's standardized testing data into a single measure reflecting expected achievement on the current year's assessments, both local (iReady benchmarks) and state (IAR).
School and Home Rating Scales: Designed to capture behavioral and learning characteristics. Forms are sent online via email to teachers and parents of nominated students. Hard copies are available upon request.
PETS Experiences (Primary Education Thinking Skills): Administered in primary classrooms to provide equal opportunities for advanced behaviors to emerge, helping uncover talent in typically underserved populations.
The Use of Local and Subgroup Norms
The Use of Local and Subgroup Norms
Following recommendations from independent gifted program audits conducted by Dr. Carolyn Callahan (University of Virginia) and Dr. Scott J. Peters (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) Woodridge 68 uses local and subgroup norms for test evaluation. This ensures that underrepresented populations are appropriately included and receive the specialized gifted instruction they need.
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