Gifted & Talented Programming
Definition of Gifted
"Gifted and talented students are those students between the ages of four and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted students include students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas below"
- General or Specific Intellectual Ability
- Specific Academic Aptitude
- Creative or Productive Thinking
- Leadership Abilities
- Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical or Psychomotor Abilities
Identification Process
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).
Beginning the 2026-2027 school year, NSA will administer testing to both 5th and 6th graders in November. This is to help prepare for the future transition of only 5th graders testing.
2nd & 6th Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd & 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) with 6th graders in November and 2nd graders in February. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
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If your child is in grades 3 and 4, and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
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NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
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Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked below or HERE
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Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator, Erica Brennan, will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process
Gifted Education Referral Form
Gifted Education Referral Form (Spanish)
Additional Resources: