Referral, Identification, & Evaluation Process

Overview

The Wisconsin Rapids Public School District adheres to the Wisconsin Standard (T) requirement stating gifted and talented students shall be identified as required in s.118.35(1), Stats. This identification shall include multiple criteria that are appropriate for the category of giftedness including intelligence, achievement, leadership, creativity, product evaluations, and referrals. A pupil may be identified as gifted or talented in one or more of the categories under s.118.35(1), Stats. WRPS utilizes data from a series or balanced assessments to identify students with gifted and talented needs. These assessments may include screeners, pre-assessments, reading or math benchmarks, standardized tests, rating scales, classroom assessments/products, portfolios, referrals, and teacher or community member observations.

Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten students who display characteristics of intellectual giftedness may be evaluated for early admission to kindergarten or first grade as described in Board of Education Rule 421.

K-12 Students Referral Process

1. Teacher Referral

When students demonstrate mastery of topics prior to instruction and/or exceed grade level expectations, they are providing evidence of their possible need for gifted services. If the classroom teacher is providing a Tier 2 intervention with a student, s/he will submit a referral to the Gifted-Talented coordinator and communicate the needs of the student. The GATES Coordinator will create an educational plan and maintain records of students who require Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions. The GATES Coordinator will convene a Student Intervention Team (SIT) meeting for any student requiring a Tier 3 gifted intervention.

2. GATES Coordinator Referral

The GATES Coordinator will review standardized test scores to alert staff of the potential need to evaluate students for gifted and talented services. Test score review can help in the identification of gifted underachievers and gifted students in traditionally underrepresented populations.

3. Student/Parent/Guardian Referral

Any student or parent/guardian has the ability to refer a student for gifted and talented educational services in one or more of the areas of giftedness. The Gifted and Talented Referral Form may be obtained from the classroom teacher, counselor or the GATES Coordinator.

Evaluation Criteria

Once a referral is received by the GATES Coordinator, the GATES Coordinator will gather and review evidence based on the area of giftedness. A minimum of three pieces of evidence must be present to indicate a need for gifted and talented educational services. If three pieces of evidence are not available or the evidence presented is not sufficient, the GATES Coordinator will contact the parent/guardian for permission for additional testing. WRPS uses the following documentation and tests for the 5 areas of giftedness:

General Intellectual

Specific Academic Area

Creativity

Leadership

Visual and Performing Arts

Identifying and Serving Gifted & Talented Students

1. The GATES Coordinator will notify parents, teachers, administrators, and school counselors of the assessment and evaluation results.

2. If a student is determined to be gifted intellectually or academically, and s/he is not receiving interventions, or if the interventions are not adequately meeting student needs, a Student Intervention Team (SIT) meeting will be scheduled. The team may consist of the GATES Coordinator, classroom teacher(s), parents, counselor, administrator, student and others. This team will review data and collaborate to create an intervention plan to meet the student needs. Subsequent meetings will be scheduled to review student progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

3. If a student is determined to be gifted in the areas of creativity, leadership or visual/performing arts, the GATES Coordinator will communicate with classroom teacher(s), parents, counselor, administrator, student and others on how to best meet the student needs, and if necessary, hold a SIT meeting. The GATES Coordinator will also provide opportunities of growth and learning for these areas of giftedness beyond the classroom as requested.

Referral, Identification & Evaluation Process