Student Identification

The Francis Howell School District provides services for students, whose general intellectual ability is in the superior range of intellect and high academic ability in one or more areas, and who demonstrates high potential in the areas of creative thinking and abstract reasoning. The gifted program is a state-assisted program and therefore must comply with state guidelines. Screening for Eligibility: Students are accessed in the following categories to determine possible eligibility for gifted services. These categories include the following:

Intellectual ability

Intellectual ability is measured using a DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) approved scale of intelligence. A psychological examiner administers the test. The typical score for students who qualify is 135. Possible scores on this measure range from 0-160.

Academic Ability

High academic ability is measured using scores from the most current standardized achievement test. A student must score in the 95%ile on the Total or Core Score on a standardized achievement test. Students with no achievement test scores will be given a short ability measure. The score required varies by grade level.

Abstract Reasoning

Abstract reasoning is measured according to a student’s high ability in abstract conceptualization and spatial manipulation. This is based on two of the four areas measured. An abstract reasoning score is obtained by converting two subtest scores into a deviation quotient based on Jerome Sattler’s short form page 256-257 “Assessment of Children: Fourth Edition” Jerome Sattler.

Creativity

Creativity is measured using the Test of Divergent Thinking by F. Williams.

Steps in the Referral Process:

Parent, teacher, and student must complete a nomination form. These consist of eight short answer questions.

• The referral process begins with a letter to parents explaining the program and selection criteria. Parents are encouraged to call the building facilitator if they have questions. Parents are asked to complete the nomination form and sign giving permission to test.

• After parental permission is received, the following steps will occur:

1. When a student is referred the most current achievement scores are checked. Students must have at least the 95%ile or above on the total score (s) of a standardized achievement test. Students who meet criteria continue to step 3. Students who do not meet criteria may be screened as soon as they have an achievement test score in the 95%ile.

2. Students who do not have achievement test scores will take a short ability measure. This will be administered by the building Spectra facilitator only after parent permission for screening is received. The score needed to continue varies by grade level. Students who score below criteria may be considered again in a year.

3. Completed referral and parent nomination/permission are sent to the district psychological examiner to process for further screening and testing. When they are received they are numbered and students are tested as closely as possible to the order received.

4. When a date is schedule for testing, parents will be notified when possible of that date. Parents are welcome to ask for the next date that their school is scheduled for testing if they feel the scheduled date is inappropriate for any reason.

5. A two subtest screening is administered using a DESE approved intelligence measure. These two subtests measure verbal and non-verbal concept formation. This is administered by a certified psychological examiner. The typical score for students is 31. A score of 0 – 38 is possible. A letter is mailed to parents explaining the results if the student does not pass this part of the screening. The process is stopped. All mailed letters take approximately one week to arrive.

6. If the two subtest screening is passed, the next subtest is administered. This subtest measures non-verbal reasoning using a matrix. The score necessary to continue is determined by combining the three subtests that have been administered. The 4th subtest is only administered if the student’s score gives them the opportunity to qualify. A score of 0 – 19 is possible on each subtest. If a student’s total score is below criteria, a letter explaining the results is mailed to the parents and the process is stopped.

7. Students who continue to this point will take a 4th subtest. This subtest measures word knowledge and verbal fluency. The typical score on all four subtests combined is an index score of 135. A score of 0 to 160 is possible. A letter is mailed to parents explaining the results if the student does not pass this part of the screening. The process is stopped.

(Students who do not pass the screening may be considered again in a year. After the second screening, students must wait 3 years to be reevaluated. The exception to this rule is Kindergarten. Kindergarten screenings are not counted toward the total number of screenings.)

8. Students who pass the four subtest screening have completed the intelligence measure. (All four subtests are administered as closely together as possible. This usually occurs during the same session.) The Exercise in Divergent Thinking will be then administered if an appropriate achievement test score is not available. A score of 96 to 117 points is possible depending on the student’s age. The building Spectra facilitator administers this test.

9. Nomination surveys are collected and totaled. They include information on the student from the parents, teacher and student. Areas covered include Achievement, Motivation, Creativity and Leadership. A score is obtained for the combined nominations. Students can score up to 120 points.

10. All scores are converted to points on a matrix. Thirty points are possible. Thirteen points are required for placement in the program. The four areas that were measured during Steps 1 -10 are General Mental Ability, Abstract Reasoning, Achievement/Divergent Thinking, and Nomination. These areas have been presented to and approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Gifted Education Department.

11. A placement packet is sent to students with the 13 required points. For those students who score below 13 points, a letter is mailed home explaining the results. Those students may be re-evaluated in three years.