Screening and Identification Process

First Grade Screening

All first grade VBCPS students are screened for gifted program services. Assessment specialists from the division’s Gifted Education Testing Office and the gifted resource teacher from your child’s school administer screening for all first graders in October

An application for gifted services and Old Donation School (ODS) will automatically be submitted for any first grade student scoring greater than or equal to the 90th percentile on the NNAT3 or any subtest of the CoGAT. The online application is located at giftedapplication.vbcps.com. All information is reviewed by the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Gifted Identification and Placement Committee to determine identification for gifted services.**

Fifth Grade Screening

All fifth grade VBCPS students are screened for gifted program services. Assessment specialists from the division’s Gifted Education Testing Office administer screening for fifth graders in September or October. The gifted resource teacher (GRT) will contact parents of students scoring in the 90th percentile or higher on the screening via phone, email or letter to discuss the next step in applying for gifted programs.**

** If your student does not score in the 90th percentile or higher and you wish to proceed with the testing and application process, they must first submit the online application by the deadline. A teacher, peer, student response team or any person who has knowledge of the student’s abilities may also initiate an application for gifted services testing by contacting the gifted resource teacher (GRT) at the student’s neighborhood school. Students may be tested for gifted programs one time within a school year. Once a completed application has been submitted, the student’s teacher of record is contacted to submit a Teacher Information Form for the student. All students referred for testing are reviewed by the Gifted Identification and Placement Committee. Parents/guardians with questions about intellectual gifted testing should call 757.263.6870.

Identification and Placement

Once a student has been tested, data is compiled and forwarded to an identification and placement committee that determines eligibility for gifted services. Eligibility for gifted services is determined through the review of multiple criteria, including:

• Academic achievement
• Achievement test scores
• Teacher information
• Ability test scores
• Student interview responses (Grades 5-12)
• 1st Grade Problem Based Task (PBT)

*Note: Parents/guardians are notified of the committee's decision by email.

Change in Program Placement

Students who are identified for gifted services retain their identification from the point of identification until graduation. Virginia Beach City Public Schools believes that students need learning experiences based on their readiness level, interest and learning profile. Parents/guardians may request that the students not take part in the gifted services that are offered. This is a school-level decision that is facilitated by the parents/guardians, teacher(s), principal and gifted resource teacher. When this occurs, parents/guardians write a letter requesting the change in service which is then placed in the student’s file. The student maintains eligibility for gifted services and can participate in activities offered by the gifted program. Gifted staff remain in contact with the student and parent/guardian.