ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Screening, Testing and Identification Procedures for Full-Time Level IV services in Fairfax County Public Schools

Full-Time Level IV program:

Differentiated depth, breadth, and pace of instruction

Highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas for advanced learners

Strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and decision making skills

Accelerated by one grade level in mathematics. Readings and resources that are used in other subject areas are also presented at advanced levels.

Designed to meet the needs of students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities to learn and apply knowledge, be creative and productive, and are highly and intrinsically motivated to succeed

Pathways to Level IV Screening

Pool – identified students in Grade 2 only

Referral – students in Grade 2 - 7

Referrals for 2nd – 7th Graders:

Required to start the screening process for second graders (optional for pool students) through seventh graders.

A completed Advanced Academic Program Level IV Referral form must be submitted to the AART.

The deadline for submitting a referral to the AART is

February 3, 2015. This deadline is strictly enforced by FCPS.

Second Grade Pool- What is it?

Only current second graders can be in the pool.

Purpose – to screen second graders with high ability test scores who might not have a referral submitted.

Students in the pool have met, or exceeded, a benchmark score from the NNAT in Grade 1 or the CogAT in Grade 2.

AAP office determines the benchmark score and posts it on the AAP website in January.

AAP office also determines annually whether the score will apply to a subtest or a composite score.

The benchmark score varies, but has historically been in the 130’s.

Parents of students in the pool are not required to submit a referral or optional materials, but they are encouraged to do so.

It is not an automatic eligibility for Level IV services.

BEST PRACTICES IN IDENTIFICATION

To assess and serve high ability learners, information must be gathered from

Multiple sources

in different ways

in different contexts.

Screening File DocumentsSource: School

Screening Summary Sheet

Ability test scores

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT)

Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)

Achievement Test Scores

Standards of Learning (SOL)

Gifted Behavior Rating Scale & Commentary(GBRS)

Progress Reports

Work samples – minimum of 2 produced at school

Screening Summary Sheet

Ability Testing

Gifted Behavior Rating Scale

Screening File DocumentsSource: Parents or Guardians

Level IV Referral Form

Required: for students in grade 2 who are not in pool and students in grades 3-7

Optional: for students in Grade 2 pool

Parent Questionnaire (optional)

Student work samples (optional - maximum of 4)

Student awards or commendations (optional – maximum of 5)

Referral Form

Parent Questionnaire

Work Sample Guidelines

Pages must be single-sided, on 8 ½ x 11”

writing, copying, photographic or bond

paper.

Not accepted: Videos, DVDs, 3-D items, spiral or notebook paper,

photographs. A picture of a 3D work

sample may be photocopied and submitted.

Work samples may be reduced or enlarged

from the original to fit on 8 ½ x 11” paper.

Black and white or color copies are

acceptable. Work samples will not be

returned.

Not accepted:Paper that is larger or

smaller than 8 ½ x 11”, cardboard, tag board or

construction paper.

A maximum of

4 pages

of work samples will be accepted.

Work Samples

Examples

and

Non-Examples

Math Sample from Mentoring Young Mathematicians (M2)

• This is from a 2nd grade student.

• It utilizes math vocabulary related to the concept and shows understanding of the big idea.

• The student supports their answer with an example.

Math Non-Sample

While the 4th-grade student completing this sample scored perfectly, the work shows a rote process. This type of work is important, but does not showcase the type of problem solving thinking that would be good evidence for needing full-time placement in a level IV center.

Instead, showcasing a single problem that requires the student apply mathematics concepts to problem solve would be preferred.

Language Arts: EncapsulationThis is an encapsulation of chapter 18 of the book Bud, Not Buddy, whereby the student put important ideas from the chapter on a license plate.

This sample would be stronger if there was a short blurb pointing out that it was using the encapsulation strategy and verbalizing some of the symbolic ideas represented.

Language Arts Non-Sample

This word study sample shows the student does well sorting words and using them in sentences. It is not a strong language arts sample. A stronger sample might include literary analysis, creativity, persuasive writing, etc.

Science: Plant analogies

A 2nd grade Spanish Immersion student created analogies about the parts of a flower in Spanish

Science Non-Sample

The student scored 100% on this plants quiz. However, the answers on it required recall of knowledge level information.

Possibilities for strong science work samples may include: designing an experiment, creating big questions for research, solving or inventing an engineering solution.

Social Studies Non-Sample

This sample shows the student is able to recall information about the 3 branches of government.

A preferred work sample might include: analysis of a primary source document, relating to different points of view in past or current events, making intra- or inter-disciplinary connections related to Social Studies content, etc.

Other work samples

This student created a series of comic strips and designed a web site where they were posted.

The comics and site showed a mature sense of humor in creating new products about every day topics.

Other Work Samples

This student created a poster of 4 Ways of Smart (Picture, Nature, Body, and Music). The poster displays a strong sense of design.

Other work samples

This student created a comic, entitled “Chocolate,” with her spelling words for the week.

Optional Material Guidelines

Pages must be single-sided, on 8 ½ x 11”

writing, copying, photographic or bond

paper.

Letters of commendation may be handwritten or

typed from adults including parents, relatives, music or

art teacher, coach, etc.

* Certificates* Awards* Honors

* Accomplishments* Extracurricular activities

Black and white or color copies are

acceptable. Materials will not be

returned.

Reports or records of previous participation

in advanced academic/gifted

programs

A maximum of

5 pages

of work samples will be accepted.

Resources for parents

Sources listed contain complete information about screening, testing, identification, and deadlines. Required and optional forms are also included.

Advanced Academic Programs website: http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap

Laurel Hill Elementary School website: http://www.fcps.edu/laurelhilles/

2014-2015 Parent Information Packet:

paper copies are available on AAP website

and in the front office

Local School Screening Committee Screening Committee members: classroom teacher,

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, counselor and administrator

Other school staff may serve on the committee or give input on the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale with commentary.

Duties of the committee:

Complete the GBRS with commentary

Prepare and submit completed screening files to be evaluated by the countywide central selection committee.

Central Selection Committee

Composed of administrators, counselors, principals, assistant principals, teachers, AARTs, school psychologists and program specialists

Evaluates all available data in screening files using a holistic approach

Does not produce individual eligibility reports

Notification and Placement of Eligible Students AAP office mails eligibility decision letters to parents or

guardians.

AAP office notifies local schools of eligibility decisions.

Decisions are not released by phone, fax, e-mail or in person.

Fall Semester 2015 - Eligible students in grades 3-8 may attend full-time Level IV class.

Appeals Process

Only parents or guardians may submit an appeal for a student found ineligible. Deadline for submitting an appeal is May 29, 2015.

Appeal process information will be mailed with ineligibility letter.

AAP office convenes a screening appeals committee to review appeal packets. Appeal packets must contain new information not previously submitted in the original screening file.

AAP office notifies parents or guardians and the local school of the eligibility decision.

Appeal committee decisions are final.

Parents may refer their student for Level IV services again the following year.

Identification Timeline

February 3, 2015 Level IV Referral Form and optional materials due to AART at local school before 4:30 p.m.

March 2015Central Selection Committee meets

End of April 2015Eligibility decision letters mailed to parents by FCPS AAP office

Fall Semester 2015Eligible students in grades 3-8 may attend full-time Level IV AAP class

February 3, 2015

Absolute deadline is 4:30 when the front office closes on February 3.

Don’t wait for test scores to be received before submitting a referral.

All required and optional materials must be turned in together before the deadline.

Put screening file documents in a folder or envelope with AART’s name on it and ask someone in the front office to put it in my box.