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District GATE coordinators report screening results and plan for gifted services; three students formally identified so far
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Summary
Teachers presented the district's gifted and talented (GATE) rollout: a 917-student NNAT screening (grades 2—5) produced 23 students at or above the 90th percentile on the NNAT, added to other performance flags to produce a list of about 35 students under review; three students have been individually identified using the WASI so far.
Two teachers leading the district's gifted program told trustees they have built an identification and service pipeline this school year that follows Nevada Administrative Code requirements and national guidance from the National Association for Gifted Children.
Leslie Enigson and Brenda Doktor, co-coordinators of the district's GATE work, said they screened roughly 917 students in grades 2 through 5 using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT-3) to limit language bias. They reported 23 students scored at or above the 90th percentile on the NNAT; an additional set of students were flagged through MAP and SBAC historical results, producing a working list of about 35 students for further review. Enigson said the district then selected a smaller group for individually administered cognitive testing (WASI) performed by school psychologists; three students so far scored at or above the 90th percentile on individually administered testing and meet the state's criteria for gifted services.
Presenters described a multi-step identification process to avoid over-referral: NNAT screening to narrow candidates, follow-up with individually administered measures (WASI or WIAT) by school psychology staff or psych interns, and a local matrix that will incorporate teacher input, MAP/SBAC results and screening data to identify those who qualify for either a legally defined —it gifted classification or a broader "high-achiever" support group.
The coordinators emphasized that Nevada Administrative Code requires an individual score at or above the 90th percentile on an approved cognitive measure and that identified students legally require not less than 150 minutes per week of differentiated educational activities. They also noted that the screened population included diverse students: 39% Hispanic among flagged students, several students receiving EL supports, and some twice-exceptional students with IEPs plus gifted potential.
Coordinators said they will rescreen future second-grade cohorts annually, continue training for teachers (both are seeking GATE endorsement), and develop program standards and social-emotional supports for identified students.
