District proposes new four-part gifted-screening matrix, adds universal 2nd-grade screener

At the July 29 board workshop, Dr. Tracy Binera Humes presented proposed revisions to Lindbergh’s gifted-identification procedures to align with new Missouri DESE guidance. The proposal would require four assessment components and a matrix-based decision rule: students would be considered for gifted qualification only after meeting standards in three of four areas: academic ability (district reading/math measures), general mental ability (a short, computer-scored test), creativity/reasoning/problem solving (a Naglieri-type screener), and a standardized teacher-rated gifted-characteristics scale.

Key elements of the proposed procedure - Universal and targeted screening: the district will universally screen second graders with a Naglieri-type general-ability nonverbal assessment in January. For most grades (1 and 3–8), the initial entry point will be academic performance (reading and math data); students meeting threshold criteria will be advanced to teacher rating and the reasoning screener. - Scoring…