How Are Students Identified as Gifted &Talented?

As required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the School District of Fort Atkinson identifies gifted and talented students in the following five categories.

Intellectual Identification

The student has high OVERALL intellectual ability. The student has an IQ/SAI score around 130 on the OLSAT exam with further score support of 130 or higher on the K*Bit-2 or WISC IV. Moderately gifted students score 130-138 (98th–99.5th percentile). Highly gifted students score 140 and above (99.5th percentile and higher). The student is advanced in all academic areas. The student learns rapidly, enjoys abstract thinking, complexity and manipulating ideas. The student usually has a large vocabulary, strong curiosity, broad background knowledge, and a long attention span. Intellectual students learn intuitively.

Academic Identification

The student has high ability in a specific content area. The student has an IQ/SAI score around 130 on the OLSAT exam or the K*Bit-2 and is advanced in the identified area(s). Advanced academic performance may be demonstrated with scores in the 98th or 99th percentile on achievement tests like the WKCE, or through a portfolio of work. The student displays passion and excitement for the identified area(s).

Creative Thinking Identification

The student has high creative ability. High creativity involves fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration. Creativity can be demonstrated through the process of creative thinking or the creation of an original product. Creative thinkers thrive on problem solving and complexity. They enjoy the unexpected. Teacher and peer nomination contribute greatly to identification process.

Leadership Identification

The student has exceptional leadership skills. Leadership involves the ability to make decisions, delegate chores, gather resources, and act responsibly. Gifted leaders are respected by their peers and are able to get others to work together to complete tasks. Gifted leaders naturally take the lead in groups and are followed by their peers. Teacher and peer nomination contribute greatly to identification process.

Visual / Performing Arts Identification

The student has extreme talent in visual and/or performing arts. Students who are gifted in the visual and performing arts have natural talent in art, music or drama. They also work hard to develop their talents and grow in their area of giftedness. Specific products or performances are often catalysts for nomination.