WCPSS Parent Guide (PDF): |
AIG Tests in Detail
More FAQ...
How do students get nominated for the AIG program?
Fourth and fifth grade students may be nominated by a teacher or parent during the first or second semester nomination windows. Dates for these nomination windows will be posted outside the classroom teachers' doors, the AIG teacher's door, and on this website.
Who is eligible for nomination into the AIG program?
Any fourth or fifth grade student who has not been tested in the last calendar year. Students who join our school from other districts or states are immediately eligible, assuming they did not receive testing during third grade.
What happens after my student is nominated?
The School Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBC-GE) meets to discuss each nominated student. At that time, a decision is made whether or not to refer that student for testing. Nomination does not guarantee that your student will be tested. Students who are referred for further testing will receive paperwork granting parental permission to administer tests at school.
Who are the SBC-GE and what is their purpose?
The SBC-GE is made up of the AIG teachers, an administrator, and two teacher representatives. This committee reviews nominations made for the AIG program, determines which students will be referred for testing, and reviews the results of testing to evaluate student need for differentiated services.
What tests are used for AIG testing?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the Iowa Assessments (formerly called the ITBS). The CogAT measures aptitude (potential) and the ITBS measures achievement (performance). Both tests are nationally normed, which means they have their scoring percentiles set based on a large nationwide sample of students.
What kind of scores does the SBC-GE usually look for?
In accordance with guidelines set up by Wake County's AIG Department, students generally need to score at or above the 95th percentile on both the CogAT and the Iowa to be identified as gifted. NC EOG scores may be taken into consideration.
Are the test scores the only thing the SBC-GE uses to determine placement?
No. As part of the identification process, both teachers and parents provide feedback on the strengths of the student. This data is referred to as the "informal indicators."
When will I find out whether my student has qualified for the AIG Program?
Results are usually sent home near the end of the semester in which students are tested. This usually means December/January for first semester identifications and May/June for second semester identifications.
Why does it take so long to find out my students' results?
The identification process is made up of many steps. After the nomination window closes, the SBC-GE meets to make referrals. Consent forms, teacher feedback, and parent feedback must be collected. Students receive their testing, which is scored off-site over the course of several weeks. After test scores are returned to schools, the SBC-GE reviews testing data and informal indicators for each student. Once school-level decisions are made, all paperwork must go through the Academically and Intellectually Gifted Department's record review before results become official. This record review is held near the end of the semester. Once record review is over, documentation and information about decisions are prepared for parents and sent home on a date determined by the AIG Department
What if my child is not placed in the AIG Program?
If, after reviewing the paperwork sent home, you still have questions about your child's placement results, you can email Mrs. Anderson. Many times, questions can be answered over email. You may also request a conference. It is important to keep in mind that academically gifted is not the same thing as "smart" or "bright." The AIG program looks to identify students in the top 5th percentile of students nationwide, and this is a tough benchmark to meet. Please keep this in mind when discussing your child's result with him or her. It is very important that your student knows that you are still proud of his or her achievements, regardless of their placement in the AIG Program.