Elementary Gifted Services
Identification Criteria
Grades 2-5
Overview:
Students in the Rochester Public Elementary Schools may qualify for Gifted and Talented Services based on the scores
achieved on a combination of two identification tests, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the Northwest Evaluation
Association (NWEA) Assessment. These tests assist the district with identification of students with gifted aptitudes in
verbal or non-verbal courses of study. Verbal classes will incorporate reading and social studies standards. Non-verbal
classes will incorporate mathematics and science standards. If students achieve a combined ranking on performance
measures, then they will be formally identified to receive gifted services in Rochester Public Schools.
Identification Criteria: Initial identification is based on a combination of the criteria described below:
Definition of CogAT
The Cognitive Abilities Test is a group administered ability test used to assess students’ abilities in reasoning and
problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal (spatial) symbols. This assessment is administered to all
students in grades 2 and 5. Students new to the district in grades 3 and 4 will be tested in the fall.
Definition of NWEA
The NWEA test is an adaptive measure of academic progress. Scores are reported in RIT Scores and national percentile
rank. Gifted Services will be using the national percentile rank for identification. This assessment is administered to all
students in grades K-8, and the number of assessments may vary by school.
Definition of National Percentile Rank (NPR)
A student’s percentile rank shows the student’s relative position or rank in a group of students who are in the same
grade and who took the tests at the same time of year as the student. A student’s national percentile rank (NPR) is the
student’s standing as compared to a large, representative sample of students in the same grade from the entire nation.
Grade Level
2-5
2-5
2-5
2-5
Services
Verbal
Non-verbal
CogAT Score
122+ Verbal (V)
122+ Non-verbal (Q+NV)
NWEA NPR
80%ile+ in Reading
80%ile+ in Math
or
Verbal
116-121 Verbal (V)
95%ile+in Reading
Non-verbal
116-121 Non-verbal (Q+NV)
95%ile+ in Math
Near the end of second grade, students are identified for services which will begin in third grade.
The table denotes the following:
 If a student has a CogAT Verbal (V) score of 122+ AND a NWEA NPR in Reading in the 80%ile+, they will qualify
for Verbal gifted services.
 If a student has a CogAT Non-verbal (Q+NV) score of 122+ AND a NWEA NPR in Math in the 80%ile+, they will
qualify for Non-verbal gifted services.
 If a student has a CogAT Verbal (V) score of 116-121 AND a NWEA NPR in Reading in the 95%ile+, they will
qualify for Verbal gifted services.
 If a student has a CogAT Non-verbal (Q+NV) score of 116-121 AND a NWEA NPR in Math in the 95%ile+, they will
qualify for Non-verbal gifted services.
Students who do not meet these criteria, but would still like to be considered for gifted services identification, may submit
a portfolio of exemplary work. These portfolios may be requested through your building gifted services specialist and are
completed in school between December 8th and December 23rd.
Updated 9/26/14