Gifted & Talented Instruction (GT)

Students must have at least one qualifying score in two different dimensions. See the eligibility criteria below.

Yes, in FMSD we have an ongoing review process for students that begins in second grade and continues through high school.

After each test administration, the following data is reviewed for ALL students in grades 2-8.

• Grade 2 Winter Iowa achievement scores (all students test)
• Grade 2 CogAT aptitude scores (all students test)
• Grade 2-5 Fall, Winter, and Spring STAR Assessments in Reading and Math
• Grades 3-5 CogAT aptitude scores (testing offered to students who have met the achievement or aptitude dimension)
• Grades 2-5 Performance Task Assessment scores (testing offered to students who have met the achievement or aptitude dimension)
• Grades 3-8 SC Ready achievement scores (all students test)

Parents of students who become eligible for the academically gifted program will be informed by mail, and students may begin gifted classes the next school year.

If your child was previously in a GT program, please make sure you communicate this to the Data Manager or Assistant Principal at your new school.

• New students previously identified in SC by state criteria are eligible for gifted services, as longas sufficient documentation is obtained
• New students who were enrolled in an academically gifted program at their previous school may be referred for screening
• Screening is available for new students who are seeking to continue, not begin, gifted services Previous school records must be received before a referral can be submitted
• Parents should request referrals from their school assistant principal
• Referred students who do not have recent, valid, nationally-normed achievement and aptitude scores from the previous school will be scheduled into the next available test session through the school district office

Aptitude tests yield verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and composite scores. Nationally normed tests include national percentile scores. SC uses national age percentiles.

Achievement tests yield reading comprehension, math concepts and problem solving, or total reading and total math scores. Nationally-normed tests include national percentile scores.

Star Assessments are computer adaptive tests given to students beginning in Kindergarten. Star assesses Early Literacy skills in Kindergarten and Reading and Math skills in 1st - 5th grades. Star tests are designed to be as efficient as possible. Students typically complete their Star assessments in 15-25 minutes per subject.

For elementary and middle schools, contact your assistant principal or the Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability- Mr. Matt Rohring- rohringm@fortmillschools.org