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Gifted Programming

CogAT Screener

What Families Need to Know

In May of 2026, students in grades K–5 will have the opportunity to take a short assessment called the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Screener. This helps us better understand how students learn and informs instruction and programming. It is important to note that participation is optional and that parents/guardians must opt-in their child to take the CogAT assessment on WITS.  The opt-in time frame is Monday, April 13 through Friday, April 24.

The CogAT measures how students think and learn (not what they’ve been taught) using analogies and patterns.

The District is offering the CogAT screener to give all students the opportunity to demonstrate how they learn and to help us plan instruction and enrichment more effectively. 

Results will be used to:

  1. Support classroom instruction
  2. In combination with other measures, identify students who would benefit from advanced learning (gifted) opportunities
  3. Better understand how your child learns

There are three (3) sections to the screener: 

  • Verbal (or picture*) analogies
    • *Pictures are used for K-1 screeners
  • Number analogies
  • Figures Matrices 

Overview

Students and a teacher at Heim Elementary share a laugh while programming ozobots.

 

The CogAT Screener:

  • Takes approximately 30 minutes
  • Measures thinking in words, numbers and pictures
  • Is administered during the school day
  • Results will be available to families in late June

Resources

Overview - Gifted Programming Services

A unique array of services is offered to develop talent in students. A full-time Gifted Programming Specialist, assigned to each middle and elementary school, is committed to nurturing the talents of all learners. Programming is delivered through four levels of service by the school community including Gifted Programming Specialists.

GPS - Level 1

GPS - Level II

GPS - Level III

Participation in Gifted Programming

All students are included in Level I Gifted Programming and Level II offerings are self-selected by students.  Decisions regarding involvement in Level III Gifted Programming are made through a flexible process, encompassing a consideration of multiple measures and varied sources of information. No single factor determines participation, nor does a set period of time exist for the provision of service. Rather, assessment and involvement are fluid processes, changing throughout the course of a year as student strengths, interests, and talents are identified.

Students may meet with the Gifted Programming Specialist as part of whole group instruction within the classroom, in small group settings, or individually as determined by individual strengths, needs, and/or interests:

  • Independence and task commitment
  • High academic achievement
  • Original ideas and solutions
  • Synthesizing and processing information at an accelerated rate
  • Ability to think critically and problem solve
  • Focused and varied interests

If you would like more information regarding gifted programming services please contact your child's school.

Gifted Programming - Levels of Service

 A Team Approach

Gifted Programming Services (GPS) target a student's identified academic strengths and sustained interests in order to offer academic challenges and promote learning through a team approach.