Identification and Placement of Gifted Students

GIFTED SERVICES IN GRADES 3-5

Extended Reading
Accelerated and above grade level language arts instruction is offered at every grade level and is provided by classroom
teachers. District assessments for reading placements are administered to all students at the beginning of the year by their
grade level teachers and the reading specialist.
Extended Math
Accelerated and above grade level math is offered at every grade level and is provided by classroom teachers. District
assessments for math placement are administered to all students at the beginning of the year by their grade level teachers.
Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)
Students in third, fourth, and fifth grade who are advanced in reading and math and who have been identified as gifted on
an assessment of abstract reasoning are eligible for an additional service with the gifted specialist. The gifted specialist
meets with IDS students for four (4) hours per week.

At the 3rd grade level, IDS focuses on writing and critical reading in the context of other disciplines such as
mathematics, science, and social studies.
At the 4th grade level, IDS focuses on science, research, and critical reading.
At the 5th grade level, IDS focuses on social studies, research, and critical reading.

Identification of students for this service requires an assessment of abstract reasoning, which is administered in August or
January. Test scores from third grade are valid through fifth grade, so only students who have not been previously tested in
third grade are eligible for testing at fourth and fifth grades.
Testing for Gifted Services
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is used to measure abstract reasoning. The gifted specialist will administer the
CogAT at Sunrise Drive in three one-hour sessions. Please arrive by 7:15 on the testing days in the school office.
4th and 5th Grades
Thursday, August 18 7:15-8:15
Friday, August 19 7:15-8:15
Monday, August 22 7:15-8:15

3rd Grade
Friday, August 26 7:15-8:15
Monday, August 29 7:15-8:15
Tuesday, August 30 7:15-8:15

Standardized test results at or near the 95th percentile in Reading and/or Math are indicators that students should be
considered for testing for gifted services.
Parents who wish to have their students tested must complete the Permission to Test form. The form is available in the
school office or by email from the gifted specialist. The permission form needs to be turned in to the school office by
Friday, August 12, 2016, for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.
If you have questions, please contact the gifted specialist at your childs school by phone or email.
Sincerely,
Paula Stewart
Gifted Specialist
Sunrise Drive School 209-7900
Canyon View School 209-7700
pstewart@cfsd16.org
2015 - CFSD

Toni Kalish
Gifted Specialist
Manzanita School 209-7800
Ventana Vista School 209-8000
tkalish@cfsd16.org