GT Identification Process From Referral to Results Step

GT Identification Process: From Referral to Results

Step 1: Complete referral • Referral forms are available online. form online • Go to https: //secure. fortbendisd. com/GT. • It’s very easy to do and takes about 5 minutes to complete. • Use your Family Access login credentials to get into the referral app. • • Deadline to refer is Monday, September 30. PLEASE NOTE: If your child is already receiving gifted services, the app will not allow you to refer until the spring evaluation window

Step 2: Parents and teachers complete the inventory • The parent inventory (Home Rating Scale) will be sent home at the beginning of the testing window (dates are on next slide). • The deadline to return completed inventories is the final day of the testing window. • While the rating scale is not mandatory, it can help your child's overall profile. • Scale statements can be difficult to answer for elementary ages, so consider where your child ranks compared to a typical child at that age. • Teachers complete a School Rating Scale. • Be prepared to see a lower teacher score, as they have a much

Step 3: Students take the test • The 2019 testing window is October 28 -November 8. • A specific testing schedule will not be published. • Typically, younger students are tested over two to three days. • Older students are tested over one to two days. • Kindergarten students and 1 st graders are asked the questions orally, and their tests are untimed. • Time limits and text-based questions begin at 2 nd grade. • Please be encouraging and remind your child that he or she is smart no matter what. It is impossible to FAIL the GT evaluation process.

nd 2 grade universal screener • Most 2 nd graders will take the Cog. AT as part of a universal screening process the week of October 21 -25. • Second graders who are already identified as needing gifted services in All Areas will be exempt from the screener. • Results will only be used for GT identification purposes if parents refer their child. • If a 2 nd grader is referred to be evaluated for GT identification, the CSC will consider scores from the 2 nd grade testing window, as well as Home and School Rating Scales. • Students can only take one GT test per school year, so referred 2 nd graders will NOT be tested a second time as part of the referral process.

Step 4: Student data plotted • Tests are scored by computer. • When results are ready, the district plots the Home Rating Scale scores, the School Rating Scale scores, and the subtest scores on the GT Identification Profile. • The district sends students' profiles to respective schools for a final decision from the Campus Selection Committee (CSC). • The CSC meets to make identification decisions in three subject areas: Math/Science, ELA/Social Studies, and All Areas. • Students must score at 97 th percentile or higher on a subtest to receive a point in that subject area.

Step 5: Receive the results • Parent notification letters are mailed home in mid-February 2020. • Please make sure your address is correct in Family Access. • If your mail is returned as undeliverable, you must come to the school and show proof of address to pick it up. • We cannot e-mail, scan, or phone parents the results. • Identified kindergarten students begin services on March 1, 2020. • Identified 1 st-5 th graders begin services the following school year (2020 -2021).

Information about appeals • If your child was not identified as needing gifted services and you disagree with the decision, you may request an appeal meeting with the Campus Selection Committee. • Appeals are a timed opportunity to present additional information that you feel proves your child's giftedness. • We ask teachers to give updated information to the CSC. Parents do not need to ask for this new evidence. • Parents may request an appeal in writing to Ms. Murphy within ten school days of the date the notification letter was mailed home, not the date of receipt. • The appeal deadline is typically in early March and will be communicated in the notification letter.

Please remember… • If your child is already identified in one area (Math/Science OR ELA/Social Studies), they can test in the spring for a fee. • The referral app won’t allow you to register them during the fall window. • The spring referral window opens in February through the same link, and it will direct you to a payment screen at the end of the referral process. • Students may be referred every year for testing, EXCEPT: • Once a child is identified in All Areas, they are unable to test again to raise scores. • Gifted identifications remain for duration of time at FBISD unless they furlough for longer than one year or leave the district.

Big Question: How do we prepare our child for the test? • There is no true way to prepare for the Cognitive Abilities Test, or Cog. AT. • Be wary of companies that guarantee identification. • Giftedness is a natural ability. They either are gifted or they aren’t. • Only 3 -5% of the population are truly gifted. • Most of our referred students are high-achievers, not gifted. • Pre-AP classes in MS and HS are open to all students, not just those with needing gifted services.

Hallmark of giftedness: asynchronous development

Some information about transfers • If transferring your child to another district, take a copy of the pink GT identification profile so the new district can determine eligibility based on their identification parameters. • Transfers to FBISD must provide identification paperwork so the district can determine if the students meet our eligibility qualifications. • If your child is a transfer student and did not qualify for gifted services in FBISD, he/she may test this fall if you refer.

For questions regarding GT testing: Please contact: • Anetria Woodard, SWE Counselor • 281. 634. 5321 • Anetria. woodard@fortbendisd. com For questions regarding how your child’s grade level differentiates instruction, please contact his/her teacher via email.