Gifted and Talented Identification

Instruments:

In order to identify students for the Talent Development Program, several assessment instruments are utilized.  The student profile includes:

1. Teacher initial referral
2. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores
3. Gifted and Talented Evaluation Scales (GATES)
4. Measure of Academic Progress scores
5. CogAt scores 
6. Other:  STAR reading assessment, accelerated reader, outside assessments etc.

Process:

1. Classroom teacher makes initial referral
2. Classroom teacher completes referral form
3. Coordinator obtains parent assessment consent
4. Coordinator obtains most recent MAP and MCA test scores
5. Cognitive abilities test is administered
6. Classroom teacher completes GATES
7. Other pertinent information is gathered (MCA, STAR, Sp.Ed. records etc.)
8. Selection committee examines findings and makes final selections
9. Parents are notified of final selections

Students new to the district

When new students enter the district, records are screened for participation in gifted and talented programs in their previous school.  Students that have been identified in a previous school district by a testing process similar to that used by Delano Public Schools will automatically be placed into the Talent Development Program.

Students that have not been previously tested may be referred for screening during the scheduled spring assessment period.