Gifted and Talented
2020-21 CogAT 7 Testing
As part of the DCSD Universal Screening process and our commitment to equitable identification for gifted programming, DCSD will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT 7) during the weeks of Feb. 8 - March 5, 2021. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. Please see below for specific information based on your child’s current grade.
2nd Grade Universal Screening
- As part of this process, ALL GVA-DC students in 2nd grade who have not been identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of February 8 - 12. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
- If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with more detailed information about this process.
5th Grade Universal Screening from November 2020 - Makeup
- 5th-grade GVA-DC students were not able to take the test in November due to the whole school being in a Remote Learning status. GVA-DC 5th-grade students will also take the CogAT during this February window.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
- If your child is in grades K, 1, 3, 4 and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
- NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
- Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked here in English and here in Spanish.
- Upon receipt of this form, the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss the next steps in the gifted identification process.
- Parents who do NOT want their child to take the CogAT test this year should complete the online CogAT Excusal Form 2020-2021 form to opt-out of CogAT testing.
Virtual Learners
GVA-DC families with students currently enrolled in GVA Virtual Learning that would like to refer a student for the Gifted Education Referral Process should complete the online referral form AND should contact Lonnie McKenzie, GVA-DC Gifted & Talented Coordinator, right away at lmckenzie@gvaschools.org. The CogAT test may only be administered in person by a trained proctor at the school.
Please see the following for additional information linked below
Lonnie McKenzie
Gifted & Talented Coordinator & Math Interventionist
Our Gifted and Talented Coordinator is Lonnie McKenzie. Read more about Mrs. McKenzie here.
Questions about the Gifted and Talented Program?
Please email Lonnie McKenzie at lmckenzie@gvaschools.org
Resources/Links
- DCSD Gifted Programming Website
- Formulario de recomendación para la identificación de estudiantes dotados en el DCSD - Consentimiento para la evaluación, Encuesta de padres/tutores y Encuesta de estudiantes
- Douglas County Association of Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)
- Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (CAGT)
- National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
- Colorado Department of Education - Gifted Information
- Referral for the gifted identification process