IDENTIFICATION
Once a student has been brought to the attention of the GT department, the following steps are taken to determine eligibility. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific time-table for these steps; many factors come into play and we want to ensure all aspects are considered.

Step 1: Data Collection
Data is collected regarding a student's academic and behavioral performance.
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CogAt: Given to all students in 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. Students may be tested out-of-grade if deemed necessary. To be considered for identification, a student must score above the 95th percentile in one or more of the three areas tested.
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NWEA: Given to all students 2nd through 8th grades, twice per academic year. To be considered for identification, a student must score above the 95th percentile in one or more of the three areas tested on at least two separate testing occasions.
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Gifted and Talented-Specific Rating Scales: Once academic scores have been accepted, rating scales are sent home to parents and distributed to teachers who have contact with the student (in middle school, scales are given to the strength area teacher). To be considered for identification, a student must score above the 91st percentile on both school and home assessments.
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Step 2: GT Selection Committee
Once a student's scores have been accepted, the student is put before a committee for a "blind review". This means that the student's name is removed from their scores and is not put before the committee; this ensures a true focus on the student's demonstrated strengths. The committee typically includes the gifted and talented coordinator, a middle school representative teacher, an elementary school representative teacher, the principal, and a Response to Interventionist.
Step 3: Paperwork
Once a student has been accepted by the review committee, the cycle of paperwork begins. Specific programming that fits the student's needs is selected and put into place. Every student identified as gifted at Monument Academy is placed on an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). Teachers are also involved in the ALP process, as they work with the student each day and have insight into academic needs of the classroom. The ultimate goal is for the student to be responsible for updating and writing their own ALP; however, the GT coordinator is the primary author at the beginning. A copy of the ALP is sent home for parent approval before being officially accepted.
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If a student is not accepted by the review committee, they are placed in Monument Academy's talent pool, called the "Watch List". Students who are on the GT Watch List are monitored with each test score reported until they are accepted by the committee. While there is no guarantee that a watch-listed student will be identified, it is our goal that they are.
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Step 4: Implementation
The final approved plan and programming is put into place for each student. Students are monitored and adjustments are made as necessary. Teachers are informed of the final programming decisions and expectations for each student and are given the ALP for reference.
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While watch listed students do not have an ALP, they are included in all GT group activities.