Overview of Gifted Identification

Multiple criteria are used in order to identify CMS students as gifted. Students have the opportunity to identify as:

• ​Academically Intellectually Gifted (AI)
• Intellectually Gifted (IG)
• Academically Gifted (AG)
• Academically Gifted-Math (AM)
• Academically Gifted-Reading (AR)

All identification decisions are guided by the 2025-2028 CMS Gifted Identification Rubric. 

Second Grade Gifted Screening Process

CMS conducts a universal screening for all second grade students primarily educated within a general education setting. Each second grader is provided with three opportunities- two formal and one informal. The two formal assessment opportunities are the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), a nationally-normed abilities test, and i-Ready, a nationally-normed achievement test in Reading and Math. The informal opportunity is the Gifted Rating Scales (GRS), an observational checklist. Additionally, a portfolio opportunity is provided for students who do not identify as gifted in any capacity but have qualifying GRS, i-Ready scores, or CogAT scores. The portfolio consists of student work samples and opportunities that are provided to students to display gifted traits in a variety of formats to capture student output.

Kindergarten and First Grade

Kindergarten and first grade students may be considered for gifted identification if assessment results are available as a result of the grade acceleration process or if the student is identified as gifted in a district or  school outside of CMS.

If students are consistently performing well above grade level,  parents/guardians, students, counselors, teachers, and other stakeholders may refer students to be screened for whole-grade acceleration. Kindergarten and first grade students may identify as AIG as a result of the required aptitude and achievement assessments for the grade acceleration process. Their assessment results are evaluated according to our CMS Gifted Identification Rubric, which guides all identification decisions. 

Third-12th Grades

Parents/guardians, students, counselors, teachers, and other stakeholders may refer students for testing for gifted identification in grades 3-12. Each school is required to have an AIG Site-Based Committee, which is composed of an administrator, AIG Teacher or AIG point of contact, classroom teacher, and other relevant staff members. All decisions for testing for gifted identification outside of the district-wide second grade screening process are made by AIG Site-Based Committees. Advanced Studies has developed a document outlining the rationale for screening/ rescreening to provide guidance to committees and they are encouraged to utilize both quantitative, such as EOG or i-Ready scores, and qualitative data to make informed decisions. Students may be considered for rescreening through district testing after a period of at least 24 months has passed since their last screening opportunity in CMS.  

Additionally, for students with active CogAT scores in grades 3-5, AIG Teachers complete a data review in the fall using existing CogAT scores and most-recent achievement scores, such as EOG or fall i-Ready results, to determine eligibility for AIG identification.

Reciprocity for Gifted Identification Outside of CMS

Gifted Identification from another North Carolina (NC) Local Education Agency (LEA)

If testing results lead to a student being identified as gifted in any capacity (AI, AG, IG, AR, AM), gifted identification will remain the same in CMS with no further testing required. If an identification label does not transfer through PowerSchool, a parent or guardian's signature will be required on an AIG Referral and Results Form to ensure proper coding.

Gifted Identification provided by a school district or LEA outside of NC

If a student was identified as gifted in any capacity (AI, AG, IG, AR, AM) in a school district or LEA outside of North Carolina, gifted identification will remain the same in CMS with no further testing required. Documentation must be provided and may consist of an official score report, educational record, and/or official letter from school or district to show student was identified as gifted. The AIG Teacher or AIG contact will complete the top portion of an AIG Referral and Results Form and obtain a parent or guardian signature to ensure informed consent and proper coding in Infinte Campus.

Results from comparable assessment from other CMS evaluations, such as EC evaluations or 504s, may also be used for gifted identification.

Because our district has a comprehensive screening process for gifted identification and generous reciprocity policies in place, outside testing is not accepted for gifted identification. If a student has outside testing results through a licensed psychologist or another school/district, the results can be used as a relevant data point to determine student needs, but will not be applied to our CMS Gifted Identification Rubric.

Alternate Assessments

Students who, according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, cannot take this type of standardized testing with or without accommodations or modifications or whose necessary accommodations or modifications are not available with, or appropriate for this testing, will be screened for gifted identification through alternative assessments.