Norris School District, Fifth Grade

Norris Identification Process for High Ability Learners

High abilities are present in students from all ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups. Educators must ensure that students from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to demonstrate and develop their talents.  No one indicator should be sufficient to exclude a child from needed educational opportunities.  Conversely, one indicator should be sufficient for further consideration of an educational review to determine whether a student has high ability. Multiple criteria, both objective and subjective, shall be used for identification purposes.

Norris Public Schools will select students entering the fourth through eighth grade as their target group for identification of high ability students.  Criteria for identification will be a composite score of 96% or higher on the most recent norm referenced achievement test in total reading, total language arts, total mathematics, and/or composite score; teacher recommendations; and approval from parent or guardian.  Teachers will consider the traits of high ability learner to assist them in their decisions such as the following characteristics or by using a checklist such as the one below.