The Pull Out Discovery Program in grades 3-5 emphasizes the gifted student’s need for interaction with intellectual peers and for an educational experience that includes a high level of depth and rigor compared to students in the general population. Students eligible for the Discovery Program have unique educational needs that extend beyond the opportunities typically offered in the general classroom environment.

All students in the Wyckoff School District are given a Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) at the beginning of grade 3 and the end of grade 4, utilizing measures of cognitive abilities and problem solving skills. Students whose CogAT scores are equal to or above the threshold score (125) will enter a pool for further screening of advanced abilities. 

District qualifications for participation in the Discovery program consider a variety of measures, including cognitive skills, academic achievement, creativity, and problem solving. 

The following components are considered and weighed using a matrix to determine eligibility for services. 

• Reasoning abilities: A nationally-normed Cognitive Abilities Test (the CogAT) is used as an indicator of learned reasoning abilities, assessing students in three areas: verbal, non-verbal, and figure matrix analogies.

• Achievement scores:  Fourth and fifth grade matrices consider spring NJSLA scores. 

• iReady Diagnostic scores: iReady measures knowledge and skills in reading and math.

• Teacher Rating Scales: Teachers complete a questionnaire about observed gifted behaviors in the classroom.

• Independent Reading Levels: Points are earned for scores at least one year above grade level benchmarks.

• Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Persistence: as evidenced by individual assessments conducted by the district K-5 Gifted and Talented Specialist. 

• Committee Recommendation: Conferences conducted by the K-5 Gifted and Talented Specialist with regular classroom teachers and school principals serve to further assess eligibility.

The screening process may be opened each year for students new to the district or those whose CogAT scores were equal to or above the threshold score (125), but whose combined matrix score fell short of the top 10% of those screened for the previous academic year.  Selection is for a single year.  Students must meet Discovery expectations to continue each year.

Grade 3:

September - November

• All third graders take the CogAT as an initial screener. 

• Additional assessments in creativity, problem-solving, and persistence are conducted for students who meet or exceed the threshold score of 125.

• Parents of screened students will be informed about their eligibility.

• The Discovery program begins.

Grades 4 and 5: 

September 

• Fourth and fifth graders already in the program will start classes in September. 

May - June 

• All fourth graders take the CogAT. 

• For students not already in the program, additional assessments in creativity, problem-solving, and persistence are administered to those who achieve a threshold score of 125 or higher.

• Parents of screened students will be informed about their eligibility.

• Newly eligible students will begin the program the following September. 

*Any students in grades 3-5 who are new to the district will take the CogAT during the nearest testing period (September or May).