Identification Tools/Information 

Definition: “High Ability – General Intellectual”

A High Ability – General Intellectual student performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, an outstanding level of accomplishment when compared to other students of the same age, experience, or environment and whose educational needs and/or individual academic growth cannot be met through grade level curriculum. 

Students can also be identified as High Ability – Language Arts or High Ability – Math. 

These designations must be on the Student Test Number (STN) if the child meets the identification criteria AND receives high ability services. 

Grades K-2

Notes: An Academic Skills Rubric and a Student Profile Form are completed for each student, each year.  This includes the items below as well as a teacher recommendation concerning the student’s writing ability, study skills, and ability to work independently.  In 2008-2009 grades K-2 started using the mClass assessment tool that was provided by a state grant.

• STAR Reading
• STAR Math
• Work Samples (especially important for kindergarten identification)
• DIBELS
• mClass Math
• Teacher Recommendation
• CogAT (kindergarten)
• Inview CSI Testing (2^nd grade)

Grades 3-4

Notes: An Academic Skills Rubric and a Student Profile Form are completed for each student each year.  In 2009-2010 the corporation began using Acuity assessment that was provided through a state grant in grades 3-8, which is being examined as another source of data.

• ISTEP+
• STAR Reading
• STAR Math
• Inview CSI Testing (4^th grade)
• Teacher Recommendation

Grades 5-6

Notes: An Academic Skills Rubric and Student Profile Form are used to place students in appropriate clusters in grade five.  Because a different design is used to serve students in grade six, HA students travel mostly in a group among the various teachers and classes.  Other students are included in these classes as well in order to balance numbers effectively among sections.  In 2009-2010 the corporation began using Acuity assessment that was provided through a state grant in grades 3-8, which is being examined as another source of data.

• ISTEP+
• STAR Reading
• STAR Math
• Inview CSI Testing (6^th grade as needed)
• Teacher Recommendation

Junior High

Notes: HA classes are offered in mathematics and literature.  In 2009-2010 the corporation began using Acuity assessment that was provided through a state grant in grades 3-8, which is being examined as another source of data.

• ISTEP+
• Pre-Algebra Placement Test (for math only)
• Teacher Recommendation
• Previous placement history and scores

High School

Notes: Not all identification tools listed are available for all students.  Also, classes at the high school including high ability classes are open to all students but guidance is provided to help students make wise selections.  High ability class options include AP literature, AP World History, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish, AP German, Biology II, and AP Calculus.

• Previous placement in HA class in junior high or lower grades of high school
• ISTEP+
• Grades earned in junior high or lower grades of high school
• Self-selection
• Teacher recommendation