Identification

ECBOCES works closely with member districts to provide recommended guidelines, resources, and tools that align with state rules, recommendations and best practices for gifted student identification. We recognize that outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups and across all economic strata. All efforts are made to ensure cultural fairness in the screening and identification process. A complete Body of Evidence that includes both qualitative and quantitative measures is collected on a student before a team decision is made to identify a student for gifted education programming. Member districts strive to provide identified students with gifted programming congruent with their identified needs. All programming options are dependent upon the resources, funding, and personnel available in each individual district. 

Screening

Member districts in the ECBOCES Administrative Unit (AU) utilize at least one of the following methods to cast a wide net screen for gifted student potential:

• Administer the Cognitive Abilities Test to all students in 2nd grade and a middle school grade, and to students recommended by teachers/parents, and/or to new students to a district
• Scan district achievement test data to provide evidence of gifted ability
• Accept parent/teacher/student referrals at any time of the year
• Review teacher observation notes

Students who score within a certain referral range as determined by the individual district comprise a potential “pool” of students to go through further data collection procedures described below.

Criteria for Identification

Districts in the ECBOCES AU follow state rule and utilize the following recommendations as criteria for identification:

In order to be formally identified, students need a Body of Evidence (BOE) that complies with the following state criteria:

• Three or more pieces of qualifying evidence
• Data from more than one source
• All points aligned to one or more areas of strength
• Both qualitative and quantitative data
• All assessments and instruments reliable and valid
• All assessments and instruments culturally fair

The BOE may include data collected across at least two of the following areas: Intellectual Ability, Characteristics and Behaviors, Achievement, and Demonstrated Performance (See CDE guidelines at cde.state.co.us/gt for additional information and examples).