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District reports growth in emerging scholars and expanded gifted resources; calls for more secondary staffing
Summary
Norfolk Public Schools presented growth in its Emerging Scholars program and screening (CogAT) that leaders say is expanding access and readiness: the presenter reported 139 emerging scholars identified in screening and that 33% of one retested cohort later met formal gifted criteria (versus 12% for the overall 1st‑grade cohort). Administrators asked for more secondary gifted resource staffing to sustain engagement.
A division presenter provided an update on Norfolk Public Schools’ gifted services and the Emerging Scholars talent development program, emphasizing two central goals: equity/opportunity and providing services based on student readiness rather than labels.
The presentation described the universal CogAT screener for 1st grade, reported 139 emerging scholars identified this year in grades 2–4, and said retesting of a 2023 cohort produced a 33% identification rate for that group compared with a 12% identification rate for the overall 1st grade cohort (more than 2,100 students). The presenter credited expansion of full‑time elementary gifted resource teachers (GRTs) with increases in readiness benchmarks and broader representation across student groups, including African American, Hispanic, English learners and students with disabilities.
Board members asked about supports for twice‑exceptional students and how increased screening and full‑time GRTs contributed to identification. Presenters said professional development, partnerships (including programming with the College of William & Mary), and targeted referral efforts improved identification rates for underrepresented groups and that more secondary‑level staffing would allow stronger sustained services at middle and high school.
The presenter said the division will continue to review and refine the local gifted plan and will submit drafts to the Virginia Department of Education as part of the scheduled plan review cycle.
No formal adoption or policy change occurred at the work session; discussion focused on staffing needs and the next steps for plan revision and secondary programming supports.
