Multiple steps have been put in place for the identification of gifted students. All Mansfield City Schools students are provided with the opportunity to be screened and identified as gifted through whole grade screenings. Whole grade screenings ensure equal access to screening and further assessment when appropriate. Individual assessments are also available when required. The district ensures equal access to screening and further assessment of all district children, including culturally or linguistically diverse children, children from low socio-economic backgrounds, children with disabilities and children for whom English is a second language. Appropriate accommodation as each assessment permits including the opportunity to take tests in their native language.
Whole Grade Screening
In order to cast a wider net and provide the opportunity for any student to be identified as gifted, whole grade or universal screenings are implemented each year. All students in grades 2 and 6 are screened for superior cognitive ability and creative thinking ability as part of the whole-grade screening process.
For identification in a specific academic ability in the areas of mathematics, reading, writing or a combination of these skills, students are assessed in grades 2-10 two/three times a year via the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) whole grade screenings.
Individualized Assessment
Some students qualify for individual assessment. For individual assessment, parent/guardian authorization is obtained prior to the assessment and parents/guardians are notified of the assessment results.
Assessment strategies provide additional data necessary for an identification decision. Strategies for additional assessment include the individual and group-testing requirements of Ohio Revised Code Sections 3324.01-3324.07.
For individual assessment, students are pre-assessed using student records, observations, and teacher, parent or peer nominations which are noted on the referral form. Upon receiving parent permission to test from the parent or guardian, an approved and appropriate assessment will be administered. Notification of assessment results will be shared with the parent/guardian of the student.
Approved Testing Instruments
The testing instruments used by our school district personnel are selected from the Ohio Approved List of Assessment Instruments for the Identification of Gifted Children. For information about required scores, please see the district policy (Click here to open in new tab).
Superior Cognitive Ability
- The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3)
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7 VQN Composite
- WISC-V
- Woodcock-Johnson IV
Specific Academic Ability
- iReady assessments (Math/Reading)
- Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Academic Achievement, Third edition
- TerraNova Achievement Tests (Math/Reading/Science/Social Studies)
- The Iowa Assessments
- PSAT/SAT/ACT
Creative Thinking Ability
- The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) or The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) or the WISC-V or the Woodcock Johnson IV
-AND-
- Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students Creativity Checklist
-OR-
- Torrance Test of Creativity Ability-Figural
Visual and Performing Arts
- Ohio Department of Education Rubric for Visual and Performing Arts (for the discipline being evaluated)
-AND-
- Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students Checklist
Ohio Checklist of Artistic Behavior (Dance Only Age 14+)
Identification
Data obtained from the approved identification instrument will be compared with the cut-off scores specified by the Ohio Department of Education. Identification decisions are made based on the cut-off scores specified by the Ohio Department of Education. Further education and identification plans are determined based upon identification.
Identification scores remain in effect for the remainder of the student’s K-12 school experience.
Reassessment
When the screening assessment has been completed, if the data from an approved screening instrument on which the student is within a district-specified range below the identification score, reassessment for possible identification may occur.
Parent Authorization
Parent authorization is not required for whole grade assessments; however parents may opt their student out of whole assessment participation by submitting a written request. Parent authorization is required for individual assessments.
Out of District Scores
The district accepts scores, completed within the preceding 24 months, on assessment instruments approved for use by the Ohio Department of Education once provided by other schools and/or trained personnel outside the school district.
Transfer Student Scores
The district ensures that any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent if the request is made at registration. Parents shall contact the student’s teacher, building principal or the gifted consultant for the building.
Appeals Procedure
After an identification decision is reached, an appeal by the parent can be made. An appeal is the reconsideration of the result of any part of the identification process which would include the screening procedure or assessment instrument, the scheduling of the child for assessment, or the placement of a student in any program, or the receipt of services. In the event of an appeal, the superintendent or designee will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel. The superintendent or designee will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice should include the reason for the decision(s).