Identification Procedures
Identification for placement in the Bentonville Gifted and Talented Program is an ongoing process. Students may be nominated by parents, teachers, peers, self or anyone who has knowledge of the student’s abilities.
Students are evaluated in the following areas:
ACHIEVEMENT
These measures assess a student’s skill development in academic content areas and the level of academic skill attainment.
PERCEPTIVE REASONING
These measures assess a person’s ability to perceive and think clearly, irrespective of past experiences or present ability for verbal communication.
CREATIVITY
These measures assess the four divergent thinking skills of fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration.
INTELLIGENCE
These measures assess the student’s capabilities for learning.
OTHER FACTORS
A student’s classroom performance and task commitment are evaluated. Parent and Teacher Evaluations are reviewed.
Beginning in the school year 2012-2013, all students in the second grade will be screened in the fall. Those students whose scores meet the screening criteria will be referred for full battery testing.
Students in grades two through five may be nominated for testing at any time by a parent, teacher, peer, self, or anyone who has knowledge of the student’s abilities. Written nominations will be considered prior to the next testing period. Screening procedures precede testing except for students with confirmation of identification in another district or state who will move directly into full battery testing.
Screening criteria guidelines:
· For 4th and 5th graders, Benchmark scores must be advanced in Literacy and Math.
· For 2nd and 3rd graders, ITBS scores must be at or above the 92nd percentile in both Reading and Math.
· For all grades, scores on the cognitive abilities test given by a TREC facilitator must be at or above the 93rd percentile.
Upon receipt of parental permission, placement tests will be administered. The results of the testing will be presented in a blind format to the District GT Identification Committee who will determine the most appropriate placement for each student which may be to remain in the regular classroom or to begin participation in the TREC program. Those qualifying for placement will begin attendance following receipt of parent permission.
The district identification committee is composed of teachers, counselors and administrators representing grade levels served by the TREC Center. This committee makes all TREC placement decisions following state and district approved guidelines. The TREC Center Coordinator serves as chair of the identification committee.Parents/legal guardians or staff have the right to appeal the decision of the identification committee regarding the placement of students. Guidelines for appeal have been established and are available from the GT Program Director.
The identification procedures have been approved by the Arkansas Department of Education/Gifted Education and the district. To nominate a child, submit the Nomination Information Form to Jean Womack, TREC Center Coordinator by email. Call 479-254-5284 if you have questions.