ADVANCED ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
Screening, Testing and Identification
Procedures for Full-Time Level IV services in
Fairfax County Public Schools
Full-Time Level IV program:
 Differentiated depth, breadth, and pace of instruction
 Highly challenging instructional program in the four core
subject areas for advanced learners
 Strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking,
problem-solving and decision making skills
 Accelerated by one grade level in mathematics.
Readings and resources that are used in other subject
areas are also presented at advanced levels.
 Designed to meet the needs of students who have
demonstrated exceptional abilities to learn and apply
knowledge, be creative and productive, and are highly
and intrinsically motivated to succeed
Pathways to Level IV Screening
 Pool – identified students in Grade 2 only
 Referral – students in Grade 2 - 7
Referrals for 2nd – 7th Graders:
 Required to start the screening process for second
graders (optional for pool students) through seventh
graders.
 A completed Advanced Academic Program Level IV
Referral form must be submitted to the AART.
 The deadline for submitting a referral to the AART is
February 3, 2015.
enforced by FCPS.
This deadline is strictly
Second Grade Pool- What is it?
 Only current second graders can be in the pool.
 Purpose – to screen second graders with high ability test scores who
might not have a referral submitted.
 Students in the pool have met, or exceeded, a benchmark score
from the NNAT in Grade 1 or the CogAT in Grade 2.
 AAP office determines the benchmark score and posts it on the AAP
website in January.
 AAP office also determines annually whether the score will apply to
a subtest or a composite score.
 The benchmark score varies, but has historically been in the 130’s.
 Parents of students in the pool are not required to submit a referral
or optional materials, but they are encouraged to do so.
 It is not an automatic eligibility for Level IV services.
BEST PRACTICES IN IDENTIFICATION
To assess and serve high ability learners,
information must be gathered from
Multiple sources
in different ways
in different contexts.
Screening File Documents
Source: School
 Screening Summary Sheet
 Ability test scores
Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT)
Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)
 Achievement Test Scores
Standards of Learning (SOL)
 Gifted Behavior Rating Scale & Commentary(GBRS)
 Progress Reports
 Work samples – minimum of 2 produced at school
Screening Summary Sheet
Ability Testing
Gifted Behavior Rating Scale
Screening File Documents
Source: Parents or Guardians
 Level IV Referral Form
Required: for students in grade 2 who
are not in pool and students in grades 3-7
Optional: for students in Grade 2 pool
 Parent Questionnaire (optional)
 Student work samples
(optional - maximum of 4)
 Student awards or commendations
(optional – maximum of 5)
Referral Form
Parent Questionnaire
Work Sample Guidelines
A maximum of
4 pages
of work samples will be
accepted.
Not accepted:
Paper that is larger or
smaller than 8 ½ x 11”,
cardboard, tag board or
construction paper.
Pages must be singlesided, on 8 ½ x 11”
writing, copying,
photographic or bond
paper.
Not accepted:
Videos, DVDs, 3-D items,
spiral or notebook paper,
photographs.
A picture of a 3D work
sample may be photocopied
and submitted.
Work samples may be
reduced or enlarged
from the original to fit
on 8 ½ x 11” paper.
Black and white or
color copies are
acceptable. Work
samples will not be
returned.
Work Samples
Examples
and
Non-Examples
Math Sample from Mentoring Young
Mathematicians (M2)
• This is from a 2nd grade
student.
• It utilizes math vocabulary
related to the concept and
shows understanding of
the big idea.
• The student supports their
answer with an example.
Math Non-Sample
While the 4th-grade
student completing this
sample scored perfectly,
the work shows a rote
process. This type of
work is important, but
does not showcase the
type of problem solving
thinking that would be
good evidence for
needing full-time
placement in a level IV
center.
Instead, showcasing a
single problem that
requires the student
apply mathematics
concepts to problem
solve would be preferred.
Language Arts: Encapsulation
This is an
encapsulation of
chapter 18 of the
book Bud, Not
Buddy, whereby the
student put
important ideas
from the chapter on
a license plate.
This sample would
be stronger if there
was a short blurb
pointing out that it
was using the
encapsulation
strategy and
verbalizing some of
the symbolic ideas
represented.
Language Arts Non-Sample
This word study
sample shows the
student does well
sorting words and
using them in
sentences. It is
not a strong
language arts
sample.
A stronger sample
might include
literary analysis,
creativity,
persuasive writing,
etc.
Science: Plant analogies
A 2nd grade Spanish
Immersion student created
analogies about the parts
of a flower in Spanish
Science Non-Sample
The student scored 100%
on this plants quiz.
However, the answers on
it required recall of
knowledge level
information.
Possibilities for strong
science work samples may
include: designing an
experiment, creating big
questions for research,
solving or inventing an
engineering solution.
Social Studies Non-Sample
This sample shows the
student is able to recall
information about the 3
branches of government.
A preferred work sample
might include: analysis of a
primary source document,
relating to different points of
view in past or current events,
making intra- or interdisciplinary connections
related to Social Studies
content, etc.
Other work samples
This student created a series
of comic strips and designed
a web site where they were
posted.
The comics and site showed
a mature sense of humor in
creating new products about
every day topics.
Other Work Samples
This student
created a
poster of 4
Ways of
Smart
(Picture,
Nature, Body,
and Music).
The poster
displays a
strong sense
of design.
Other work samples
This student
created a
comic,
entitled
“Chocolate,”
with her
spelling
words for the
week.
Optional Material Guidelines
A maximum of
5 pages
of work samples will be
accepted.
Reports or records of
previous participation
in advanced
academic/gifted
programs
Pages must be singlesided, on 8 ½ x 11”
writing, copying,
photographic or bond
paper.
Letters of commendation
may be handwritten or
typed from adults including
parents, relatives, music or
art teacher, coach, etc.
* Certificates
* Awards
* Honors
* Accomplishments
* Extracurricular activities
Black and white or
color copies are
acceptable.
Materials will not be
returned.
Resources for parents
Sources listed contain complete information about screening,
testing, identification, and deadlines. Required and optional
forms are also included.
 Advanced Academic Programs website:
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap
 Laurel Hill Elementary School website:
http://www.fcps.edu/laurelhilles/
 2014-2015 Parent Information Packet:
paper copies are available on AAP website
and in the front office
Local School Screening
Committee
 Screening Committee members: classroom teacher,
Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, counselor and
administrator
 Other school staff may serve on the committee or give
input on the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale with
commentary.
 Duties of the committee:
 Complete the GBRS with commentary
 Prepare and submit completed screening files to be
evaluated by the countywide central selection
committee.
Central Selection Committee
 Composed of administrators, counselors, principals,
assistant principals, teachers, AARTs, school
psychologists and program specialists
 Evaluates all available data in screening files using a
holistic approach
 Does not produce individual eligibility reports
Notification and Placement of
Eligible Students
 AAP office mails eligibility decision letters to parents or
guardians.
 AAP office notifies local schools of eligibility decisions.
 Decisions are not released by phone, fax, e-mail or in
person.
 Fall Semester 2015 - Eligible students in grades 3-8 may
attend full-time Level IV class.
Appeals Process
 Only parents or guardians may submit an appeal for a
student found ineligible. Deadline for submitting an appeal
is May 29, 2015.
 Appeal process information will be mailed with ineligibility
letter.
 AAP office convenes a screening appeals committee to
review appeal packets. Appeal packets must contain new
information not previously submitted in the original
screening file.
 AAP office notifies parents or guardians and the local school
of the eligibility decision.
 Appeal committee decisions are final.
 Parents may refer their student for Level IV services again
the following year.
Identification Timeline
February 3, 2015
Level IV Referral Form and optional materials due to
AART at local school before 4:30 p.m.
 March 2015
Central Selection Committee meets
 End of April 2015
Eligibility decision letters mailed to parents by FCPS
AAP office
 Fall Semester 2015
Eligible students in grades 3-8 may attend full-time
Level IV AAP class
February 3, 2015
 Absolute deadline is 4:30 when the front office closes on
February 3.
 Don’t wait for test scores to be received before
submitting a referral.
 All required and optional materials must be turned in
together before the deadline.
 Put screening file documents in a folder or envelope with
AART’s name on it and ask someone in the front office to
put it in my box.