Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gifted Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saint Croix updates gifted‑and‑talented identification to tighter, time‑bound criteria
Summary
The district will require three universal‑screener scores in the 95th percentile (within two years) plus one high state test score for academic GT identification, and use teacher recommendations and digital portfolios for nonacademic areas.
The Saint Croix School District presented a revised identification process for its gifted‑and‑talented (GT) program during the Jan. 28 meeting.
Under the updated protocol, academic GT identification will require three universal‑screener scores at or above the 95th percentile within a two‑year window and a Forward Exam score at the requisite percentile. Nonacademic areas (leadership, creativity, visual/performing arts) will rely on teacher recommendations, a digital portfolio and a team review conducted in May, with programming starting the following fall. The changes reflect guidance from the National Association for Gifted Children and the Wisconsin Association for Gifted and Talented and aim to reduce false positives and make identification more consistent and time‑bound.
The coordinator said 82 students are currently on a 'watch' list (students who have one or two high screener scores) and that the new criteria will better focus services on students who meet more robust, multi‑measure standards. Staff will also emphasize coaching in classrooms rather than pull‑out sessions to integrate extensions into regular instruction.
Administrators said the revised process and digital‑portfolio approach will give teachers better evidence for decisions and enable earlier, more consistent interventions.
