Talent Development Program Changes for the 2025-2026 School Year
TALENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROGRAM
Talent Development Services Program
Guiding Tenets
We believe that ...
Academic diversity exists naturally. Meeting the needs of all students in school is accomplished through respectful, differentiated learning experiences that are rooted in a continuum of services for students.
Talent, and potential for talent, are equally distributed among all populations of students (regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, English language proficiency, or socioeconomic status.) Factors serving as barriers to the expression of talent and/or access need to be recognized and addressed.
The strength/talent area in all learners, including our highest performing students, must be recognized, promoted, and developed, especially those whose academic needs cannot be met through the general education classroom.
Multiple data sources must be tapped to discover individual student strength/talent area to develop as well as opportunities for growth.
OVERVIEW OF THE TALENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROGRAM AND ACCELERATION POLICY
Accelerated learning opportunities are offered in Grades 3-8.
These include:
Accelerate Math- Grades 4-8
Students must meet the set criteria to be placed in a full grade-level accelerated course. All students are reviewed for accelerated placement in May for the upcoming school year.
LA+ Grades 6-8
Students in grades 6-8 may self-select an accelerated ELA course. This course covers above grade level standards.
Grade Level | Standards Covered |
|---|---|
LA 6+ | 7th Grade ELA Standards |
LA 7+ | 9th-10th ELA Standards |
LA 8+ | 9th-10th ELA Standards |
Enrichment Opportunites
Talent Development Grades K-2
All students in grades K-2 receive weekly whole-class enrichment lessons taught by a Talent Development Teacher.
Talent Enrichment Grades 3-5
Qualifying students will receive approximately 180 minutes of enrichment instruction each week. This time is dedicated to open inquiry, creative thinking, and deeper learning in areas such as English Language Arts, Math, and other content areas. Instruction will be provided by a Talent Development teacher and will take place at various times and days throughout the school week to best support students’ regular academic schedules.
PATHWAYS FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION
Talent Enrichment Programming Grades 3-5
The criteria for TD Enrichment Grades 3-5 were created utilizing the local norms process designed by McBee and Peters (2019, November). Students were ranked in this process by combining SPRING MAP RIT scores for ELA and MATH with NAGLIERI GENERAL ABILITIES TEST Total Scores into a composite score. Students who ranked in the top 10% of the grade level by school or had a nonverbal score on the Naglieri greater than or equal to 120 (local norms) were placed in the program.
McBee, M. & Peters, S. J. (2019, November). Implementing local norms: A step-by-step guide. Session delivered at the annual meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Albuquerque, NM.
Accelerated Math Grades 4-6
The criteria for accelerated math placement was created by analyzing historical data of students who have been successful in accelerated courses, reviewing the criteria used by surrounding districts, and NWEA recommendations.
Students in grade 3-5 qualify for an accelerated math placement if 2 out of 3 criteria are met using FALL MAP, SPRING MAP, and IXL. Additionally, teacher recommendations are also considered.
Meet criteria on two out of the three:
FALL MAP for Current SY
SPRING MAP for Current SY
IXL Spring Flex Diagnostic Score for Current SY
Current Grade | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FALL MAP | 200 | 214 | 221 | 230 |
SPRING MAP | 220 | 233 | 240 | 245 |
IXL | 420 | 520 | 620 | 710 |
Accelerated Math Grade 7
Students in Grade 7 Math have the opportunity to qualify for an accelerated math placement in Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
Students must have a qualifying MAP and IAAT score for placement in Algebra 1:
FALL MAP for Current SY
SPRING MAP for Current SY
Iowa Algebraic Aptitude Test
FALL MAP | 235 |
|---|---|
SPRING MAP | 244 |
IAAT | Meets or Exceeds |
Geometry
A select group of students in Accelerated Math in Grade 6 may be identified to complete Algebra 1 in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade.
Students must have a qualifying MAP and IAAT score for placement in Algebra 1:
FALL MAP for Current SY
SPRING MAP for Current SY
Iowa Algebraic Aptitude Test
Additionally, students' NWEA MAP reports must not include a "Suggested Area of Focus."
FALL MAP | 235 |
|---|---|
SPRING MAP | 244 |
IAAT | Exceeds |
PLACEMENT REVIEW PROCESS OVERVIEW
Early Entrance Kindergarten and 1st grade
Additional Information
IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES
Please note that this does NOT include all events that your family might consider important. Please be sure to visit the District 102 webpage and newsletters/notifications from your individual schools and/or classrooms. If you are interested in being included in this group, please contact me. Questions regarding district assessment dates can be addressed by contacting the District 102 Assessment Coordinator.
February - Naglieri General Abilities Testing (Grades 2 and 4)
May- Identification for Accelerated Math (Grades 4-8) and Talent Enrichment (Grades 3-5)
August 1- Placement Review Window Closes