Analyzing Gifted Referrals:

Analyzing Gifted Referrals: Mining the Data, Searching for Clues

Aptitude • Gifted Behaviors using the TABs • Performance Indicators Looking at the Eligibility Determination Matrix

Prior Testing • For GT or other exceptionality • Check each sub test for strengths Screeners • If available, check for domains of potential giftedness • OLSAT • Slosson • NNAT Use Existing Aptitude Scores to Unearth Student Strengths

TABs is a team effort among those who know the student well to see the whole child. • Input sources • ELL teacher for students not proficient in English. • Counselor for students with behavior or social issues. • PE, Music, Art, Librarian, Computer teacher, other resource teachers • Check Teacher Comments • Check Student products for match • Gifted behaviors- positive & negative Gifted Behaviors (TABs)

When collecting products, check for strength areas indicated by • Previous aptitude tests or screeners • TABs indicators • Achievement test scores. • “Products” include “performances.” • Detailed narrative from teacher or other who witnessed the performance • Prizes awarded for relevant competitions such as Reflections, Panoply, environmental, or essay Coordinate Strengths with Products Collected

How to use parent comments on Referral Form • If many interests are listed, revisit “Interests” on TABs • If parent indicates a certain talent area such as story writing, invite the child to write a story as a product. • If parent indicates that the child acts as the translator for the parents who do not speak English, revisit “Leadership” Revisiting TABs using Parent Input

If Drawing Start, Squiggle Picture, or Torrance-like activity score is “5” • Revisit TABs “Creativity” and raise score to “5” • Administer Torrance Test of Creativity, Figural • If writing sample score is “5,” revisit TABs “Communication” & possibly “Creativity.” • If Non-verbal Analogy product score is “5” revisit TABs “Reasoning” and “Problem Solving.” Digging Deeper for Product Clues

Achievement Test Scores • If SAT scores are available, check total scores in subject areas for strengths. • Collect a product in that area. • Look at Math sub scores. If Math Problem Solving is high: • Collect a product in that area. • Revisit TABs score in the area • of “Problem Solving” Digging Deeper(Continued)

Using the ARMT & ARMT+ • Examine the raw scores of identified gifted students • Establish the range of most gifted students’ scores separately in Reading and in Math After discarding Outlying scores • Check for students who scored “4” and whose raw scores are within the range for gifted students. • These children may need to be referred. Achievement

Another tactic for Using the ARMT & ARMT+ • Use the Duke Talent Search scores as a guide. • 2011 ARMT 5th Grade Scale Score = • Math- 729 or greater • Reading- 711 or greater • 2012 ARMT 6th Grade Scale Score = • Math- 718 or greater • Reading- 722 or greater Achievement

For students who score within the required range on the ARMT / ARMT+ and have no OLSAT Scores • Administer NNAT2 to groups of students or • Administer Torrance Test of Creativity only if students shows high potential for creativity or • Administer Slosson Revised 3 as a last resort • Remember to score as a screener according to the Matrix Collect student products according to strength areas as before. Aptitude

Special circumstances may give clues as to the most appropriate aptitude test (timed or not timed, etc.) • Products may give direction on whether a verbal, non-verbal, or creativity test would be most appropriate. Choosing the Right Aptitude Test

After administering individual test (if the child passes screening) • Check subtest scores for strengths • If a strength is discovered and no product has been collected for that domain, collect one. • Using products/achievement test scores, etc. that yield the highest Performance scores, complete matrix and make eligibility decision. Completing the Dig

Let’s look at some hypothetical data. You Be the Detective!

Analyzing Gifted Referrals: