Criteria and Methods for the Screening and Assessment of Students

Findlay City Schools uses assessment instruments approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for whole-grade gifted screening and identification.

• Students in grades 2 and 5 are screened in the areas of superior cognitive ability and specific academic abilities (reading, writing, or a combination of these skills; mathematics; social studies; and science).
• Students in grades 4 - 10 are screened in reading three times a year. 
• Students in grades 3 - 9 are screened in mathematics three times a year. 
• Students in grade 11 are screened for specific academic abilities in reading, math, and science.

All students participate in whole-grade screenings unless a student’s parent/guardian opts their child out of testing.
To move students from the screening to the assessment stage in the areas of superior cognitive ability and specific academic abilities, Ohio school districts are required to set scores that are lower than the scores necessary for identification. Findlay City Schools' reassessment range in these areas is within 3 points or 3 percentiles of the minimum score needed to qualify as gifted.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce establishes the scores to move students from screening to the assessment stage on checklists and performance evaluation tools in the areas of dance, drama/theatre, music, visual arts, and creativity. 

Parents/guardians are notified of the results within 30 days of the district receiving the screening results. Also at this time, parents are notified if a student qualifies for reassessment, and parent/guardian permission for reassessment is requested.

Whole Grade Screening Assessment Instruments

Findlay City Schools uses the Cognitive Abilities Test for whole-grade screening in grades 2 and 5 to assess superior cognitive abilities. The Iowa Assessments are used for whole-grade screenings in grades 2 and 5 to assess specific academic abilities (reading, writing, or a combination of these skills; mathematics; social studies; and science) as well as superior cognitive ability. 

Star Reading is used to screen students in grades 4-10 in the specific academic ability of reading. Star Math is used to screen students in grades 3-9 in the specific academic ability of mathematics. The ACT is used to screen students in grade 11 for specific academic abilities in reading, math, and science. 

Assessment for Identification

Assessments provide the data necessary for an identification decision and eligibility for services. Procedures for evaluation include the individual and group testing requirements of Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.

Once the assessment data is evaluated and the identification decision is made, the student’s educational needs are determined. A student identified as gifted in accordance with Ohio law remains identified as gifted regardless of subsequent testing or classroom performance.

Ongoing Opportunities for Assessment

Findlay City Schools provides ongoing opportunities for assessment from September to May. 

Referral for Testing

Teachers, parents/guardians, or peers may refer students for gifted identification evaluation. Students may also refer themselves for testing. Upon receipt of a referral, parents/guardians receive a permission to assess form to complete. Once the form is completed and returned to the gifted office, the student is added to the testing list and scheduled for testing. 

Students are assessed within 90 days of the initial referral. The gifted coordinator, teacher, trained professional, or school psychologist assesses referred students using tests on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce List of Approved Assessments. Findlay City Schools may also contract with a qualified public or private service provider to screen or assess students. Results are sent to the student’s parents/guardians within 30 days of the district receiving the assessment results. 

Equitable Testing Practices

All students participate in whole-grade screenings unless a student’s parent/guardian opts their child out of testing. Findlay City Schools includes minority and disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English language learners in the whole-grade screenings and assessments. (Ohio Revised Code, Section 3324.02)

The Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices may be used to assess culturally diverse students and/or children who are nonverbal. The Cognitive Abilities Test Non-Verbal Battery may be used to evaluate English learners and students with reading or math disabilities. School psychologists administer the non-verbal component in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, to students with physical and/or sensory disabilities.

At Findlay City Schools, students who are provided accommodations per their 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan are provided with allowable accommodations on gifted assessments.

Findlay City Schools will also find someone to give assessments who speaks the child’s primary language if the need arises.

Procedures for Assessment of Transfer Students

Findlay City Schools ensures that any student transferring into the district is assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent/guardian, teachers, student, or other students. Families share gifted information with the Welcome Center, principal, or gifted coordinator during the new student registration process. 

Students meeting qualification requirements receive available gifted services. If testing is required, the same procedures are followed as stated in the Referral for Testing section. 

Acceptance of Outside Testing Data

Findlay City Schools accepts test scores from other school districts and/or trained personnel outside the district, provided that the scores are from an instrument approved for use by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Appeals Process

An appeal by the parent/guardian is the reconsideration of the results of any part of the identification process, which would include the screening procedure or assessment instrument, scheduling of a child for assessment, placement of a student in any program, and/or receipt of services.

To appeal a decision, parents/guardians should submit a letter to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning outlining the nature of the concern. The assistant superintendent may convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel. The assistant superintendent will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice will include the reason(s) for the decision.

All gifted education services are delivered in accordance with Ohio law. Findlay City Schools ensures equal access for all students identified as gifted to receive any available gifted service offered by the district. 

Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Students with gifted identifications are placed in a cluster group within a general education classroom at their grade level. They are taught by a teacher who receives professional development in gifted education. 

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Middle school students are clustered in advanced courses based on gifted identification(s) and achievement scores on Ohio Department of Education and Workforce-approved assessments. Criteria used for advanced middle school courses include:

• Achievement: Gifted identification in a specific subject area or a score at or above the 80th percentile rank in a specific academic ability on an Ohio-approved assessment; and/or
• Cognitive: Gifted identification in the area of superior cognitive ability

Students who meet the criteria are scheduled into advanced courses unless a parent/guardian opts the student out of services.

High School (Grades 9-12)

Students identified as gifted in reading, writing, or a combination of these skills, math, science, social studies, or superior cognitive ability are served in Honors, Advanced Placement, and/or College Credit Plus classes. College Credit Plus courses are available for students in grades 7-12.

Withdrawal Process

If, at any time, a student wishes to withdraw from gifted programs or services, a parent/guardian or student may submit a written request to the gifted coordinator, principal, or counselor. If a student requests to withdraw, parents/guardians are notified.

Written Educational Plan

Every student who is identified as gifted and in a clustered elementary class, advanced middle school classes, Advanced Placement, Honors, or College Credit Plus classes has a Written Education Plan (WEP).  A teacher trained as a gifted service provider ensures delivery of services in the program. 

The Written Education Plan (WEP):

• describes the services provided,
• lists individual goals the student will work on throughout the year, 
• indicates how progress will be evaluated, and
• includes a schedule for reporting progress to parents and a date for the next review.