U-46 third graders to be tested for gifted placement

Elgin Area School District U-46 announced Monday that third grade students will participate in the gifted general screening process November 4-15.

U-46 will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test 7 (CogAT 7) to all students. The CogAT 7 measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in three areas: verbal, quantitative and nonverbal. While CogAT 7 is well-suited to help educators make important student placement decisions, such as selecting students for Gifted and Talented programs, exclusive features such as the Ability Profile Score also can be used to expand the educational opportunities of all students. CogAT 7’s measurements of the three different content domains ensure that educators receive a balanced view of each child.

Students currently enrolled in private schools or that are home-schooled and live within the district boundaries must schedule an appointment to take the CogAT 7. In addition, students will need to provide their MAP scores or schedule an appointment to take the MAP test. To schedule an appointment, contact the gifted office at (847) 888-5000 ext. 5356 by Oct. 29.

Each child’s comprehensive student profile will be evaluated by the District U-46 Gifted Identification Committee. The District U-46 Gifted Identification Committee will identify students who are in need of gifted and talented services. Decisions will be mailed to parents the last week of January. Details and contact information for the Appeals Committee will be included in the letter if a parent wishes to appeal the district’s decision.