Screening and Identification Process

Understanding General Intellectual Aptitude Screening in VBCPS

Screening for General Intellectual Aptitude

Screening students for gifted services in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) occurs annually and is completed on an on-going basis in grades K-12. There is no limit to the number of times a student may be referred for gifted services, and screening may take place once each school year.

Annually, the Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT) observes students in the classroom setting and reviews files of all students new to the school division. The GRT has been trained to look for indicators of gifted behaviors in the student’s record and through classroom observations. In addition to annual observations and records reviews, all students in grades one and five are screened via standardized ability testing.

First Grade Screening

First grade students are screened with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).

Parents/guardians of first grade students scoring 90% percentile or higher ^* on either of the tests will be notified and encouraged to visit the gifted application website to complete and submit an application.

Fifth Grade Screening

Fifth grade students are screened with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test(NNAT).

Parents/guardians of fifth grade students scoring 90% or higher ^* on the test will be notified and encouraged to visit the gifted application website to complete and submit an application.

^* Regardless of scores and percentile rankings, parents/guardians may refer their student for consideration for gifted services. Test scores alone do not determine whether a child is identified for gifted services.

Understanding Gifted Identification and Placement

How do I refer a student?

Parents and guardians refer their students by submitting an application for gifted identification. Teachers, peers, the student, or the student support team can refer a student by contacting the school’s gifted resource teacher (GRT). The school’s GRT sends a letter home notifying the parent/guardian that the student has been referred for gifted services and advising parent/guardian to visit the website to complete and submit the application.

What are the steps in the application process?

1. Parent/guardian submits an online application for gifted identification. The application is submitted via the Gifted Application Management System using the student’s ID number and Chromebook password to log in.
2. Once an online application is submitted, parent/guardian receives a confirmation email, and the core/homeroom teacher receives an email advising them to complete and submit a Teacher Information Form by the due date.
3. Parent/guardian receives notification of the gifted testing date from the school’s GRT.
4. Applicants ^* take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).Tests are administered by trained central office staff and building level educators. First grade applicants are also administered a Performance Based Task (PBT) by the GRT. Fifth through seventh grade applicants complete student interview questions conducted by the GRT.
5. The Gifted Identification and Placement Committee meets and reviews the completed application and makes an identification decision. Application components include: current report card, standardized test scores, Teacher Information Form, GRT comments, Performance Based Task (grade 1 only), and student interview questions (grades 5-7 only). No single component can be the determining factor for the committee’s decision.
6. Parent/guardian receives notification of the decision via email within fourteen instructional days following each Gifted Identification and Placement Committee meeting. Gifted test scores can be viewed in ParentVUE under Test History.
7. Identified students for gifted services will be placed in the resource-cluster program at their school. Families interested in applying to ODS must indicate that on the application by selecting that option.

^* Applicants who completed either of the tests via grade level screening are not re-tested within the same school year.