To Recruit, Educate, And Serve Under-Represented Exceptional Students

TREASURES is a case study identification process offered through the Rockwood Gifted Program.  Candidates for the TREASURES process have individual circumstances that may interfere with demonstrating academic potential on traditional measures of giftedness. These “underrepresented” students include those who:

• have an IEP (includes students who are Other Health Impaired)
• have a 504
• are English language learners
• are recipients of free or reduced lunch
• are underrepresented in the gifted program
• are physically handicapped

Steps in the TREASURES Identification Process

All students begin the nomination process in the same way:

1. The Counselor at the home school sends the following to the Center for Creative Learning:

• a completed and signed Gifted Program Nomination Form
• a completed and signed Permission to be Evaluated Form
• a copy of the Scale for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students, completed by either a parent or teacher
• a copy of current grades for students in grades 3-12
• a copy of the student’s achievement test scores
• a completed Counselor’s Checklist

2. Once all paperwork is received, IQ testing is scheduled. Intelligence testing is administered by Rockwood School District personnel at the student’s school. Counselors will notify parents of the testing date.

3. Students who score well on the intelligence test, but who do not meet regular program qualifications, may be considered as a TREASURES case study candidate if they fall within an underrepresented category.

4. A TREASURES nomination form is sent home to be filled out and returned by parents.

5. A second copy of the Scale for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students is completed by a teacher or parent.

6. A TREASURES case manager is assigned to each student.  This staff member collects additional information to complete the TREASURES Data Card.  Sources of information may include:

Intelligence Test Criteria Instruments

• Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence –Second Edition
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale – IV
• Stanford-Binet – Fifth Edition
• UNIT (Universal Non-verbal Intelligence Test) 
• NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)

Achievement Test Criteria Instruments

• MAP (Terra Nova)
• Stanford-10
• Mini-Battery of Achievement (MBA)
• California Test of Basic Skills
• Woodcock-Johnson
• Otis-Lennon School Ability Test

Performance Criteria

• Scale for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students, completed by teacher and a parent
• Current and previous grades
• Interviews with student, parent or other knowledgeable individuals
• Examination of student portfolio, work or performance
  

7.  The completed TREASURES Data Card is reviewed by the Identification Committee.  This committee makes placement recommendations. Copies of the completed Data Card are sent to the student’s parents and home school, along with a cover letter regarding admission status. 
 
8.  Once identified, TREASURES students participate in the same gifted program offerings as all other identified students. In grades K-5, students attend the Center for Creative Learning one full day per week.  In grades 6 through 8, students are able to participate in Academic Stretch classes.  In high school, students receive services from the Gifted Program’s High School Resource Teacher.