Kindergarten

1. All students are screened using teacher rating sheet.

2. Students with high teacher ratings and/or parent recommendations are tested with the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test.

3. Parents of recommended students provide additional information about students' talents and abilities using a parent rating sheet.

4. A committee made up of the G/T coordinator, teachers, the reading specialist, and an administrator recommend students for participation in the first grade cluster program.

First Grade

1. All students are screened using teacher rating sheet.

2. All students are tested with the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test.

3. Students with a teacher recommendation and an Otis-Lennon test score in the seventh stanine and above are sent information about the Challenge Program.

4. Students and parents fill out information to provide the identification committee with more information.

5. The shortened form of the Metropolitan Achievement Test is given to first graders who have parent permission and are part of the talent pool.

6. Students with high achievement scores but Otis-Lennon scores in the seventh or eighth stanine are also given the Slosson Intelligence Test.

7. The identification committee looks at a folder containing all the information above and recommends students for the self-contained program.

Grades Two Through Five

1. Students who have not been identified for the program are considered each year.

2. NWEA tests are given in the fall and spring in reading, language, and mathematics.

3. ISTEP scores are also available for third graders.

4. The Slosson Intelligence Test is frequently given to those students who do not yet have an intelligence test score.

5. Teacher and parent observations as well as samples of student work are considered.

6. The identification committee considers the above information in order to recommend a student for the self-contained program.

Middle School

1. The middle school coordinators and counselors meet with the Challenge Coordinator to identify students.

2. Students are identified using achievement test scores, intelligence test scores (all fifth-graders are given an Otis-Lennon School Ability test), and parent and self referrals.

3. The committee recommends students for Challenge and/or Excel (6th grade only) classes based on student profile and need for the program.

High School

1. At the high school, students' talents in specific areas become more apparent. Therefore, each domain of study had its own requirements for enrollment.

2. Students generally self-select certain courses and programs.

3. Test scores are still used to recommend placement in honors and AP courses.

4. Student choice and student work are also important components.

5. Entrance into the English Challenge Program is also based on a committee's assessment of students' written work.

6. Teachers in other departments use the Purdue Rating Scales for subject specific information.