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San Tan Charter believes that an early identification of giftedness is best. Prior to identification, most gifted students face a daily academic and social struggle that can impede their emotional, creative, and intellectual development. It is essential to bring these students into the Gifted Program early so that appropriate instructional methodologies can be employed to assist their personal development. San Tan implements a multi-faceted approach for gifted identification.
To assist in catching unidentified students, San Tan tests all students in a single grade level using the CogAT once a year.
The Gifted Team, shall upon receipt of signed consent, conduct formal evaluations using state-approved assessment tools and other data collected to determine if a student is eligible for services as a “Gifted Student”.
The school psychologist, or other qualified individuals, may use any or all of the following tools to evaluate the student.
Upon completion of the evaluation, the Team will meet and review the results to determine eligibility. If the student is eligible the team will determine the appropriate services for the student’s needs. Parents are an important part of this team.
San Tan Charter School adheres to the Arizona State Mandate for Gifted Education which requires gifted education services to be offered to all students in grades K through 12 who score at or above the 97th percentile in one category or 95th percentile in two or more categories of verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal battery using the Arizona State-Approved Gifted Test List.
San Tan Charter School administers a state-approved test (Cognitive Abilities Test) annually. San Tan Charter provides a screening for all second graders, unless they decline testing, at mid-year to determine qualification for the self-contained gifted program.
Parents are welcome to request their child be tested, the cost is $50.00. Referrals for students with handicapping conditions or limited English proficiencies may be processed by a school level multi-disciplinary team. Formal evaluation may occur only after the administration has received written approval from a student’s parent or guardian.
Individually administered FSIQ tests (Signed Woodcock-Johnson, Stanford-Binet, etc.) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be the only assessments accepted as evidence of qualification for the gifted program. On these assessments students must; be in the 97th or above the 97th percentile in one category or 95th percentile in two or more categories to be considered for provisional placement, or have an FSIQ score of 130 or greater.
The following assessments will be accepted as proof students should be tested using the CogAT at the next available testing session, but not immediate entrance into the program: Naglieri Nonverbal Assessment, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, or Johns Hopkins Acceptance.
Scores will only be accepted from other schools if the assessment was given prior to the student enrolling. Scores will not be accepted from other schools once the student has enrolled at San Tan.
Upon identification as a Gifted Student, the student and/or parent(s) will receive an invitation to participate in the Gifted Education Program. The Gifted team, consisting of student, parent, classroom teacher, school principal or designee, and other service providers as appropriate, shall meet to determine the services required to ensure the student will maximize their potential.
Parents are welcome to schedule a conference with the Gifted Coordinator to discuss their student’s test results within 30 days of the assessment.
Download and complete the Parent Recommendation for Gifted Testing Form to begin the Gifted Testing process.
Download the Gifted Program Policy to learn about the gifted testing process, requirements, and review frequently asked questions.
Schedule a Tour to visit any of San Tan Campuses or contact our team in admissions for more information. We are here to support you.
