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Board approves Cave Creek Unified gifted program; district outlines CogAT testing and pullout model
Summary
The governing board approved the district's gifted programming after a presentation explaining identification by CogAT, teacher training, and the current pullout service model for grades 3-5 (3-6 this year). The presenter said the program has grown from near nonexistence three years ago and now serves about 77 students slated for next year.
The Cave Creek Unified School District governing board on April 8 approved the district's gifted programming after a staff presentation describing identification, service delivery and teacher training.
Why it matters: Approval affirms the district's annual monitoring step with the Arizona Department of Education and signals continued support for identification and services for advanced learners across elementary and secondary schools.
Dr. Jensen (presenter) told the board that Arizona law requires districts to identify gifted learners and provide appropriate educational services; the district uses the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) for blanket screening in second grade and for referral testing at other times, with the state now reimbursing the district for those assessments. "We do the blanket testing in the spring each year," Jensen said, adding that parents can request referral testing two other times a year but that a child cannot be tested twice within a single year because that would invalidate results.
Jensen described the current service model as a pullout program in grades 3-5 (it had included sixth grade this year) where a gifted teacher removes identified students for targeted instruction and then returns them to the classroom. She said the district currently employs two teachers serving gifted students but expects one returning teacher next year who would serve students across the consolidated elementary sites. "There are 77 students at this point in time who will qualify for the program next year," she said, and described that number as reasonable for one teacher to serve across three sites.
The presentation emphasized teacher training and asked the board to support more professional development and documentation so the gifted curriculum is preserved beyond single-person knowledge. Jensen also encouraged expanded accelerated pathways in grades 6-12, including dual enrollment, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate offerings, and recommended more teachers pursue gifted endorsements though she noted the courses have personal cost and limited direct pay incentives.
After board discussion the governing board voted to approve the gifted programming as presented.
Board action: Approval affirms the district's current identification method and program model and directs the curriculum office to continue documentation and teacher training ahead of the next school year.
Next steps: Curriculum and instruction staff will continue to document the gifted scope and sequence, expand training opportunities, and monitor identification and program delivery. The district will provide required documentation to the Arizona Department of Education as part of its annual monitoring process.
