CANTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Gifted Identification Process
Beginning in grade four, the Canton School District starts to formally identify students as academically gifted. The gifted student will be evaluated on multiple criteria in the selection process for the gifted program. If a student qualifies in phase one, he/she will continue the identification process to phase two and carry on through each of the five phases if qualification permits.
Achievement – Phase I.
Students generally must have demonstrated high achievement through scores reaching the advanced range on the Connecticut Mastery Test in all three areas (reading, writing, and math). Student test score averages from his/her homeroom teacher, as well as the scores from the fall DRP will be reviewed.
Intellectual Functioning – Phase II.
Students generally must have a S.A.I. (School Ability Index) score of 130 (+/- 5 confidence interval) on the Otis Lennon test to qualify for the gifted program. The Otis Lennon is given to students in October and results are received by November.
Teacher Recommendation – Phase III.
Teachers who have worked most recently with the student for an extended period of time will be asked to fill out a confidential form that asks for feedback on the student’s motivation, work completion, and classroom performance. They will also comment on whether or not they feel that the student would benefit from placement in this program. Teachers should have this returned to the enrichment specialist by mid-December.
Placement – Phase V.
If placement is recommended, a planning placement team meeting will be arranged for the end of May to identify the child as academically gifted. This meeting must include the enrichment teacher, principal/, director of pupil personnel services, and school psychologist. Services begin the following year in the fall.
Approved by Mrs. Mary Dorpalen (Director of Pupil Personnel), Dr. Jordan Grossman (Principal at Canton Intermediate), and Miss Adina Zimmerman (Enrichment teacher at Canton intermediate) on 8/27/2008.