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Gifted and Talented: Grade 8

Gifted and Talented Program: Grade 8

General Information:

New students in the district will be evaluated using available information, in accordance with the district’s identification process. Any additional tests required will be administered with parental permission, when available.

All students who were eligible for G&T in 7th grade are automatically grandfathered into the Grade 8 program.  Students who were not eligible in 7th grade must qualify for entry into the Gifted and Talented program.  

Student assessments from the previous school year will be analyzed over the summer to determine eligibility.  Students will be identified as eligible for the gifted program in grade 8 using the criteria listed on the bottom of this page.
 
Pupils are ranked according to the points they have earned.  Those attaining the minimum criteria of 13 points will be identified as Gifted. Parents or guardians of selected children will be notified in writing that their child has met the necessary criteria to be eligible for the gifted program.   

 

Parental Notification:

When a pupil has been identified as gifted or talented, the Glen Ridge Public School district will inform the pupil’s parent(s) and secure the parent(s) cooperation and permission for the pupil’s participation in gifted activities.

The enrichment needs of gifted and talented pupils can be met through a wide variety of activities and teaching strategies.  Appropriate curricular and instructional modifications will be developed for gifted pupils and the program will address appropriate content, process, products, and learning environment.

 

Continuation of the Gifted and Talented Program:

All students participating in the Young Learner’s Program and the Gifted & Talented activities will have their progress reviewed annually. Students must make satisfactory progress in all subject areas.

A pupil may be withdrawn from the gifted and talented activities when:

  • The pupil wishes to withdraw and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s) consents to the withdrawal.
  • The pupil’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) requests the withdrawal.
  • The student does not maintain satisfactory progress in all subjects.

 

Gifted and Talented Testing Requirements: 

The process of identifying primary children is ongoing. Since developmental concerns are more prevalent during these early years, the student's needs must be reviewed each year. Due to the importance of accurate identification, multiple indicators are used during the screening process. Pupils will be screened in grade 8 using the following criteria:  

  • The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) (Most recent available score):
    • 124 - 129 = 3 points
    • 130 - 139 = 4 points
    • 140 + = 5 points

 

  • 7th-grade NJSLA (Highest percentage score from the most recent test):
    • Level 3 = 3 points
    • Level 4 = 4 points
    • Level 5 = 5 points

 

  • Report Card:
    • Approaching learning standards 2, S, or C = 3 points
    • Meeting learning standards 3, G, or B = 4 points
    • Exceeding learning standards 4, H, or A = 5 points