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 matrix and thresholds: the district proposed a matrix in which students need a minimum of 20 screener points (10 points from each of two qualifying categories) to proceed to the full general-ability assessment. Final qualification requires a matrix total of 40 points; DESE requires a general-ability cut-score at the 90th percentile for gifted program qualification. The district would offer a targeted pathway for multilingual learners, students with 504 plans or IEPs, and free/reduced students using a lowered average-threshold (80th percentile) for initial consideration. - Assessment instruments: staff proposed moving to a revised KBIT-2 (computer scored) for general mental ability testing to obtain updated norms (2021) and reduce manual scoring burden; the Naglieri nonverbal reasoning tool and a commercially normed teacher rating scale will be used for other components. - Referrals and timelines: parents and teachers may refer students in any grade; staff plan to centrally process referrals and schedule assessments within the semester. District leaders said they will provide a single coordinated notice to families and schools once eligibility decisions for a testing cycle are complete, rather than issuing letters to families piecemeal. - Cost and staffing: projected recurring costs are roughly $5,000 annually for protocols and scoring, with a modest $300–$400 increase expected due to added assessments; a one-time cost will purchase assessment kits for schools so gifted specialists can test on-site.

Board questions and clarifications Board members raised questions about the teacher rating scale’s subjectivity and whether creativity measures would be weighed separately. Staff said the teacher scale uses a Likert-format, will be normed and could be administered online to produce local norms; staff considered creativity instruments but found scoring burdens and sustainability issues and therefore will rely on the reasoning/nonverbal component plus teacher ratings to address creative problem-solving. Staff also explained that a short computer-scored general-ability battery produces an overall general-ability score (not a clinician-administered full IQ) and that DESE accepts such general-ability tests for identification.

Next steps and implementation The policy/procedure changes were presented as a first reading; staff will provide board materials and digital forms (in EduCLIMBER/Infinite Campus) to help administrators manage referrals and scoring. Staff proposed public communications to parents and professional development for teachers and building gifted specialists to calibrate the teacher-rating component and explain the timeline and referral options. Staff also noted that some students who receive a formal general-ability assessment will have limited future reassessments (DESE and professional guidance limit repeated full assessments), and the district will counsel families about timing.

No formal action was taken at the workshop; the procedures will return to the board for adoption after the first reading and any edits.