Gifted and Talented Program
District 91’s Gifted and Talented program is dedicated to supporting students who demonstrate or show potential for high achievement by offering enriched learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. The district uses an inclusive approach to identify a diverse range of gifted learners, recognizing that these students often have unique academic and social needs. Through specialized resources and programming, District 91 aims to nurture each student’s intellectual, creative, and personal growth, helping them reach their fullest potential.
Universal Screening
Location: All D91 Elementary Schools
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
The CogAT is the tool the Idaho Falls School District uses to identify students for advanced testing as part of the district’s Gifted and Talented identification procedures. This test consists of three batteries: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. The verbal battery measures how well the student learns and solves word-related problems. The quantitative battery measures the development of numerical concepts. The nonverbal battery assesses skills in using figures and pictures to solve problems. The test appraises the level and pattern of developed abilities, which are influenced by experiences in and out of school. It assists educators in determining instructional strategies that would best meet your child's needs. Scores are expressed as:
Age Scores
indicate your child’s performance relative to other students approximately the same age who were administered the test nationally.
Raw Scores
indicate the number of test items for each battery, the number of responses your child attempted, and the number of test items your child answered correctly for each battery.
Grade Scores
indicate your child’s performance relative to other students in the same grade who were administered the test nationally.- Standard Age Scores range from 50-150, with 100 being the midpoint or median.
- Stanines compare a student’s performance with that of the national sample. Stanines range from 1 to 9, with the 5th stanine being the midpoint or median.
- Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99, with the 50th percentile being the midpoint or median. A percentile rank of 45 would mean that the student performed as well or better than 45 percent of the students in the national sample. It does not mean that the student answered 45 percent of the questions correctly.
Referrals
Idaho Falls School District accepts referrals from parents, teachers, staff, and students for grades 3 and up.
Students in grades 3 and up who show an academic need, or for whom teacher or parent referrals are submitted, may undergo various assessments to help the team determine appropriate placement and support.
Contact Information
Parent Resources
CogAt Report Information
National Association for Gifted Children
Davidson Institute
Idaho Department of Education Gifted and Talented
Idaho TAG
HOAGIES' Gifted Education Page
The Gifted Parent Online: Totally Free Internet Tools for Parent Support & Advocacy
30 Tips for Parents of Gifted Kids from Parents of Gifted Kids