Identification Process
Advanced Learning Nomination Process:
Swallow Staff examine screening data regularly to determine whether students would benefit from advanced learner identification or differentiated programming. Nominations for an advanced learner evaluation can also be completed by a student’s parent/guardian, classroom teacher/specialist, or by administrative/student services staff by filling out the Nomination Form and returning it to Andy Eisenbach at eisenbacha@swallowschool.org or Greta Barrett at barrettg@swallowschool.org
Advanced learner evaluations include direct assessment, completion of rating scales by parents or teachers, observations in the classroom, and collecting work samples or portfolio materials. Per Wisconsin State Statute, identification occurs in 5 main areas: General Intellectual, Specific Academic, Leadership, Creativity, and Visual/Performing Arts. Swallow School’s criteria for formal identification in the 5 areas of giftedness are included below.
The nomination process will take no longer than 90 days from the initial nomination date for full evaluation and programming recommendations to be made. The cut-off date for nominations will be March 1st. Any nominations received after the March 1st date will proceed the following school year and the 90 day timeline will begin the first day classes are in session.
Identification Criteria
General Intellectual Criteria Guidelines
Level 3 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Acceptable IQ composite score* greater than or equal to 145
- Two or more scores at the 99th national percentile on district standardized tests
- A score of 118 or higher on the intellectual subscale of the GATES, or a score at the 99th percentile or higher on the intellectual subscale of the GES
Level 2 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Acceptable IQ composite score* of 135-144
- Two or more scores at the 98th national percentile on district standardized tests
- A score of 113-117 on the intellectual subscale of the GATES, or at the 97-98th percentile on the intellectual subscale of the GES
Level 1 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Acceptable IQ composite score* of 130-134
- Two or more scores at the 97th national percentile on district standardized tests
- A score of 108-112 on the intellectual subscale of the GATES, or a score of 95-96th percentile on the intellectual subscale of the GES
Specific Math Criteria Guidelines
Level 3 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Scores at the 99th percentile on district standardized testing in math
- A score of 145 or above on the TOMAGS
- A score of 118 or higher on the specific academic subscale of the GATES, or a score at 99th percentile or higher on the specific academic subscale of the GES
Level 2 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Scores at the 98th percentile on district standardized testing in math
- A score of 131-144 or above on the TOMAGS
- A score of 113-117 on the specific academic subscale of the GATES, or a score at the 97-98th percentile on the specific academic subscale of the GES
Level 1 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- Scores at the 97th percentile on district standardized testing in math
- A score of 121-130 or above on the TOMAGS
- A score of 108-112 on the specific academic subscale of the GATES, or a score at the 95-96th percentile on the specific academic subscale of the GES
Creative Thinking Criteria Guidelines
Level 3 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- A score of 122 or higher on the creative thinking subscale of the GATES
- A score at 99th percentile or higher on the creative thinking subscale of the GES
- A score at the 99th national percentile on either the figural or verbal sections of the Torrance Tests of creative thinking
- Student generated evidence of creative thinking (projects, games, imagination, journals, etc…)
Level 2 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- A score of 113-121 on the creative thinking subscale of the GATES
- A score at the 97-98th percentile on the creative thinking subscale of the GES
- A score at the 97th or 98th national percentile on either the figural or verbal sections of the Torrance Tests of creative thinking
- Student generated evidence of creative thinking (projects, games, imagination, journals, etc…)
Level 1 Programming:
Two of the following criterion:
- A score of 108-112 on the creative thinking subscale of the GATES
- A score of 95-96th percentile on the creative thinking subscale of the GES
- A score at the 90th to 96th national percentile on either the figural or verbal sections of the Torrance Tests of creative thinking
- Student generated evidence of creative thinking (projects, games, imagination, journals, etc…)
Leadership Criteria Guidelines
Level 3 Programming
- A score of 118 or higher on the leadership subscale of the GATES
- A score at 99th percentile or higher on the leadership subscale of the GES
Plus one of the following criterion:
- A student generated evidence of leadership
- Two letters of recommendation from a third party ( school or community)
Level 2 Programming
- A score of 113-117 on the leadership subscale of the GATES
- A score at the 97-98th percentile on the leadership subscale of the GES
Plus one of the following criterion:
- A student generated evidence of leadership
- Two letters of recommendation from a third party ( school or community)
Level 1 Programming
- A score of 108-112 on the leadership subscale of the GATES
- A score at the 95-96th percentile on the leadership subscale of the GES
Plus one of the following criterion:
- A student generated evidence of leadership
- Two letters of recommendation from a third party ( school or community)
Visual and Performing Arts Criteria Guidelines
Level 3 Programing
All three of the following criterion:
- A score of 123 or higher on the artistic subscale of the GATES, or a score at 99th percentile or higher on the performing and visual arts subscale of the GES
- Letter(s) of recommendation from the specialist on fluency, originality, elaboration and flexibility
- Portfolio of work
Level 2 Programming
All three of the following criterion:
- A score of 113-122 on the artistic subscale of the GATES, or a score at the 97-98th percentile on the performing and visual arts subscale of the GES
- Letter(s) of recommendation from the specialist on fluency, originality, elaboration and flexibility
- Portfolio of work
Level 1 Programming
All three of the following criterion:
- A score of 108-112 on the artistic subscale of the GATES, or a score at the 95-96th percentile on the performing and visual arts subscale of the GES
- Letter(s) of recommendation from the specialist on fluency, originality, elaboration and flexibility
- Portfolio of work
Swallow School Advanced Learning Program Appeals Process
Parent / Guardian(s) of students who do not meet Swallow's Advanced Learning Criteria may submit a completed appeal form to Andy Eisenbach at eisenbacha@swallowschool.org.
The necessary component for the appeal is new information not included in the original screening file. New information may consist of student work samples, student initiated projects or letters of recommendation by an adult who knows of the child’s advanced abilities. The student’s teacher(s) have already submitted information for the initial identification process and should not be asked for more information. Appeal requests will be given consideration if received within 10 business days of the original notification date.
The new information must provide evidence that the child’s knowledge, skills and abilities are superior to those demonstrated and measured by school personnel. Individual intelligence assessments administered by private psychologists will be accepted when conducted by a Wisconsin State Licensed Psychologist and a copy of the license is included in the report. The Swallow School District is not responsible for any costs incurred if parents /guardians (s) choose to obtain a private evaluation. The student services team reconsiders the eligibility decision based upon the existing evaluation and any newly submitted information. The decision by the student services appeal committee is final.