The process for identifying gifted students begins when a student is nominated for the program by a staff member, parent, or student.  Placement in the program is determined by accumulated points on a four-criteria weighted scale matrix.  Criteria are as follows:

CRITERION 1 - A global measure of intelligence from either the WASI-2, WISC-IV or Stanford-Binet: Fifth Edition.

CRITERION 2 - A standardized, nationally normed measure of academic achievement in one of the following areas: total battery, complete battery, total math or total reading.

CRITERION 3 - The student's score on the Renzulli/Hartman, "Scale for Rating Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students."

CRITERION 4 (Grades 3-12) - The student's most recent grade point average based upon reading, math, social studies, science, and language arts.

As of July 1, 2010, placement in the program is indicated when a student's accumulated matrix points total 31 or above.  For students in kindergarten through grade 2, accumulated points need to total 26.

Re-Evaluation by the Rockwood Gifted Program

Only one re-evaluation is possible for any given student in Rockwood.  A re-evaluation can be requested based on the following circumstances:  1) two years have elapsed since the previous intelligence test was administered; 2) written documentation from the parent or a physician documenting that a child was ill during the first testing session or was absent from school the day prior to or after testing due to illness; or 3) written documentation from a physician that a child was tested prior to being diagnosed with a disability that could have adversely affected testing performance.

Students who do not meet entrance criteria after administration of an intelligence test by the gifted program are eligible for retesting by program personnel. Retesting can be requested by a parent or staff member by using a standard gifted program nomination form. Students may be renominated only one time and that renomination needs to be at least two years after the initial nomination was submitted.

Students Transferring into Rockwood

Students transferring into Rockwood may submit results from intelligence tests that were administered by their former district. The tests need to be the same as those used by Rockwood’s program. Students with a score of 132 or higher will be considered for the program. Students whose results are lower than 132 will need to be retested by Rockwood Gifted Program personnel in order to qualify for the program. Please note that test results must be received by our office at least one week prior to the start of a new quarter at the Center. Information that is received after this point will be considered during the following quarter’s admission process.

The Rockwood Gifted Program identification process is approved annually by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Gifted Education.