Advanced Academic Programs (Level IV Center)

Screening and Identification ProcessParent Information Night

Valerie CarterAdvanced Academic Resource Teacher

Centre Ridge ElementaryThursdays, Fridays and alternating Mondays

January 16, 2014

What is best for your child?One size does not fit all.

FCPS Advanced Academic Programs: A Continuum of Services

Provide challenging learning experiences designed to meet the unique learning profile of advanced learners

Each child has a unique profile of strengths

Philosophy of FCPS Advanced Academic Programs

Children who have been identified for advanced academic services have the potential to achieve high levels of accomplishment, and this potential needs to be recognized and addressed.

In order to meet their needs and develop their abilities, these high ability learners require a differentiated curriculum that provides advanced learning opportunities.

Full-Time Advanced Academic Program

Grades 3-6 Level IVThe full-time advanced academic program is differentiated in depth, breadth, and pace of instruction. It provides an appropriate level of challenge for highly gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving. The mathematics curriculum is accelerated by one grade level and readings and resources that are used in other subject areas are also presented at advanced levels. Students have opportunities for ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment.

Best Practices in Identification

“Best practices indicate that multiple measures and valid indicators from multiple sources must be used to assess and serve gifted students. Information should be gathered from multiple sources, in different ways and in different contexts.”

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), 1997

Information Considered for in Placement Decisions for Full-Time Advanced Academic (Level IV Center)REQUIRED (provided by school) Ability test scores

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Custom Form, Grade 2

Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) (grades 3-6) Progress Reports and Comments Gifted Behavior Rating Scale with Commentary Two work samples-one is from a Critical & Creative Thinking Skills

Lesson Achievement test scores (if available)

Standards of Learning (SOL)

OPTIONAL (provided by parent) Parent/Guardian Questionnaire Work samples (4 pgs, 8 ½ x 11) Certificates/Awards/Letters (5 pgs, 8 ½ x 11) Additional testing

Local School Screening for Full-time Advanced Academic

PlacementGrade 2 Screening pool is established using the Naglieri Nonverbal

Abilities Test (NNAT) from 1st grade and the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Custom Form, Grade 2.

Parents of students in the second grade screening pool receive a letter (mid January) notifying them that their child will be screened for the full-time advanced academic program. Parents may decline screening.

Grades 2– 6 Parents may submit full-time advanced academic program

referrals for second grade students not in the pool, and students in grades 3-7. (Due: Feb. 3rd)

Screening file is prepared by the local school Advanced Academic Programs screening committee and submitted to central selection committee.

Eligibility decisions made by the central selection committee, and reviewed by an oversight committee.

Parent/guardian(s) are notified by mail regarding eligibility.

Screening and Identification Process for the AAP Level IV

Center

Steps 1 through 8

Step 1: Local School Screening

Second Grade Screening Pool

Screening pool is established using the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) from 1st grade and the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Custom Form, Grade 2.

Parents of students in the second grade screening pool receive a letter in January notifying them that their child will be screened for the full-time advanced academic Level IV center program. Parents may decline screening.

FCPS Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form – Grades 2-7

Referral forms are available at Centre Ridge in the main office and on the AAP website –www.fcps.edu/is/aap

Referrals are submitted to Centre Ridge c/o Valerie Carter, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

The Centre Ridge local AAP screening committee reviews referrals and the AART compiles a screening file.

Referral DeadlineFebruary 3, 2014

Referrals must be submitted to

Valerie Carter at Centre Ridge

by 4:00pm Monday, February 3rd

Step 2: Required and Optional Information

The AART prepares a screening file for all second grade students who are in the pool and for grade 2-6 referrals.

Parents may add optional information to this file:◦Up to 4 student work samples (8 ½ x 11 single-sided)

◦Up to 5 student awards (8 ½ x 11 single-sided )

◦Any additional testing information

All optional information must be submitted to Valerie Carter, AART at Centre Ridge by February 3, 2014.

Step 3: Local Screening Committees

Made up of classroom teacher(s), administrators, specialist(s), and AART

Committee reviews observable classroom behaviors and completes Gifted Behaviors Rating Scale with Commentary◦Four areas: Exceptional Ability to Learn Exceptional Application of Knowledge Exceptional Creative/Productive

Thinking Exceptional Motivation to Succeed

Committee determines the need to forward the file to the Central Selection Committee

Step 4: Central Selection Committee Convenes in March/April Consist of classroom teachers, AART’s,

principals, school psychologists, and other specialists

Centre Ridge staff will not review file

Step 5: Oversight Committee

Reviews all ineligible decisions

Step 6: Notification and Orientation All parents/guardians receive notification of the decision of the central selection committee through the mail in early May.

All students who are eligible are invited to attend an AAP orientation at the assigned AAP center/or Local Level IV school.

Assignment of a Level IV school is based on base school location/ home address.

Step 7: Appeals Parents/Guardians of students who are

found ineligible may submit an appeal by May 30, 2014 to the Advanced Academic Programs Office.

A copy of the AAP Level IV screening file may be obtained from Centre Ridge. Materials from this file do not need to be submitted.

Appeals must contain new information◦Individual ability or intelligence test◦Letter from adult regarding child’s

advanced ability◦Student work samples◦Awards and/or honors

Step 8: Appeals Committee

Appeals committee decisions are mailed on ongoing basis in summer

Decision of the appeals committee is final

Parents may refer their child again the following school year

Writing a Referral

Write/type only in the space provided (additional pages will NOT be included)

Explain the reasons why your child needs highly advanced curriculum in all four subject areas

Specific examples may be used

Parent Responsibilities Cheat Sheet Parent Questionnaire

◦ Give specific examples for each question to illustrate your response – use only the space provided, or it will be counted as an extra page of additional information

Work Samples – Up to 4 single-sided, 8 ½ by 11 pgs◦ Originals will not be returned◦ Use digital camera to take pictures of

projects/displays Additional Information – Up to 5 single-sided 8 ½

x 11 pgs◦ Certificates/awards/honors◦ Letters of commendation/recommendation (may

NOT be any person currently employed by FCPS, even at another school)

◦ Newspaper articles featuring activities your child participated in at any time

Work Samples

Writing samples: poetry, stories, journal entries that show humor, advanced vocabulary, writing style

Vocabulary/spelling activities that ask students to use words in higher-level activities

Math problem-solving, logic, or critical thinking sheets

Projects from social studies or science (take pictures)

Visual art work (scan or take pictures if you want to keep the original)

**Work samples will NOT be returned**

Thinking about additional testing?

George Mason University or private state-licensed psychologist (must include copy of license)

Group ability tests: NNAT/CogAT Individual Intelligence tests: WISC-IV, CAS

(Cognitive Assessment System) or Stanford-Binet, Kaufman Assessment Battery, DAS (Differential Ability Scale)

GMU website for information: http://cap.gmu.edu/

Timeline CogAt/NNAT scores mailed home in January. Referrals due to Centre Ridge February 3, 2014.

Optional additional information due to Centre Ridge February 3, 2014.

Local committee meets February. Central committee meets March/April. Oversight committee meets in April. Notifications of eligibility sent home early May.

Appeals due to AAP office May 30, 2014.

Visit our Websitewww.fcps.edu/is/aap

Advanced Academic Programs

Frequently Asked Questions IdentificationForms and TimelinesResources

THANK YOU FOR COMING!If you have additional, individual questions,

please contact me.

Valerie Carter : vmcarter@fcps.edu

703-227-2600