Early identification is essential for the intellectual and emotional health of gifted children because it enables early intervention. Consequently, the Governing Board of the Kyrene School District has adopted a multifaceted approach to the screening and identification of gifted learners. Prior to being given tests to determine gifted program eligibility, all students who are nominated for gifted assessment are given routine hearing and vision screening tests.

Students currently enrolled in Kyrene schools may be nominated for gifted assessment by parents, guardians, teachers, or administrators. They may also nominate themselves. In addition, students who score at or above the 95th percentile on any section of a standardized achievement test also enter the pool of students for possible gifted assessment.

Nominated students are assessed with one or more tests from the Arizona State Board of Education Approved Test List. Students are tested in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas.* Students who score at or above the 97th percentile on any of these three sections of the test, or have a full composite score at or above the 97th percentile, will be identified as gifted. Alternative assessment measures, portfolio data, and other formal and informal evaluation data may be used to augment the assessment process.

The Child Study Team (CST) at each school typically consists of the gifted resource teacher or advanced placement teacher, the classroom teacher, school psychologist, school principal, and any other person (e.g., previous year's teacher) who may have information to contribute to the process of identification and service recommendation. The CST will analyze results of the testing process and will ascertain whether students meet the criteria for gifted identification. The CST also makes recommendations for services for each identified student. (CST Roles)

R7-2-406 Gifted education programs and service
A. Governing boards shall adopt policies for the education of gifted students which shall include:
1. Procedures for identification and placement of students to be placed in gifted programs.
a. Students shall be served who score at or above the 97th percentile on national norms
in any one of three areas- verbal, nonverbal, or quantitative reasoning-on any test
from the State Board-approved list. Students below the 97th percentile also may be
served.

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* In compliance with R7-2-406 A.1b, the Kyrene School District accepts current scores at or above the 97th percentile on any State Board approved test submitted by other local education agencies or by qualified professionals, and per R7-2-406.a.1.c, the Kyrene School District will place transfer students as soon as the Child Study Team verifies eligibility and prescribes services.

Questions and answers about testing and identification of gifted students can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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District Contact Person
Linda Mosteller, Assistant Director
Exceptional Student Services
480-783-4158

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