Glen Rock schools propose universal screening for gifted identification in grades 2 and 4

District officials laid out proposed changes to the Glen Rock Public School Districtgifted-and-talented identification process at the June 8 committee meeting, including universal screening in selected grades and revisions to referral timing and the multi-criteria matrix.

Nicole Hirsch, the districtsupervisor of elementary education and K—G&T coordinator, summarized the review. "We are proposing a shift to universal screening using the CogAT for all students in grades 2 and 4," Hirsch said, explaining the goal is to "remove the referral barrier making our process more inclusive for underrepresented groups who may not typically be nominated."

Hirsch said the district would continue to use a multi-criteria identification process required by New Jersey law: prescreening, matrix review and, for students who advance, standardized aptitude testing (CogAT or similar). The recommended change emphasizes universal screening as an early step to ensure students with potential are not overlooked because they were not referred by teachers or parents.

Other proposed adjustments include a single annual referral window (Dec. 15Jan. 15 for grades 1—8, with a later window for kindergarten), improved parent-input forms (using Google forms), and greater attention to CogAT subtest scores (verbal, quantitative, nonverbal) rather than relying solely on composite scores.

Hirsch described the plan as a multi-year rollout: establish local norms in October of the 2026-27 school year, implement universal screening for the screened grades, then revisit curriculum and programming after identification changes take effect.

Board members thanked staff for the review and asked administration to finalize policy and regulation updates over the summer and present them for board review before the new school year.