Northwest Local School District

Northwest Local Schools accepts referrals, screens and identifies, or screens and reassesses students who perform or show potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment in the areas of superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability, creative thinking ability, and/or visual and/or performing arts. Northwest Local Schools follows the policy and procedures established in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15. These rules specify that assessment instruments must come from the list approved by the Ohio Department of Education.

Referral

Children may be referred in writing on an ongoing basis, based on the following:

• Child request (self-referral)
• Teacher recommendation
• Parent/guardian request
• Child referral of peer
• Other (e.g., psychologist, community members, principal, gifted coordinator, etc.)

Upon receipt of a referral, the district will:

• Follow the process as outlined below
• Notify parents of results of screening or assessment and identification within 30 days.

Screening

The district ensures equal access to screening and further assessment of all district children, including culturally or linguistically diverse children, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, children with disabilities and children for whom English is a second language. Northwest  Local conducts whole grade screens in grades 2 - 10 in both reading and math using the Measures of Academic Progress assessment (MAP). Additionally, Northwest will conduct whole grade screens for superior cognitive ability and creative thinking in grades 2 and 5. Results of the assessments are sent home to parents within 30 days of the district receiving the reports. MAP results are sent home three times a year.

Identification

When the screening assessment has been completed, if the data obtained is from an approved identification instrument and the score meets cut-off scores specified in Department of Education guidance, the identification decision is made and the student’s educational needs are determined. Identification scores remain in effect for the remainder of the student’s K-12 school experience. Although districts are required to identify gifted students, districts are not required to provide service to gifted students. Students that score in the 95th percentile or higher in mathematics on the Measures of Academic Progress assessment are identified as having specific academic ability in mathematics while students that score in the 95th percentile or higher on the Measures of Academic Progress assessment in reading are identified as having specific academic ability in reading.

Reassessment

When the screening has been completed, if the data is from an approved screening instrument or from an identification instrument on which the student is within a district-specified range below the identification score, re-assessment for possible identification occurs.

Out of District Scores

The district accepts scores, completed within the preceding 24 months on assessments approved by the Ohio Department of Education, provided by other schools and/or trained personnel outside the school district.

Transfer

The district ensures that any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent. Parents shall contact the building principal. 

Appeal Procedure

An appeal by the parent is the reconsideration of the results of any part of the identification process would include:

• Screening procedure or assessment instrument
• The scheduling of children for assessment which results in identification
• The placement of student in any program
• Receipt of scores

Parents should submit a letter to the building principal outline the concerns.

The district ensures there are appropriate procedures in place for the assessment of students, who are culturally diverse, economically disadvantaged, have a disability or have limited English proficiency. Tests from the Ohio Department of Education approved testing list are used in all testing situations. When necessary and appropriate, accommodations as allowed by the specific test publisher's manual are used.

Northwest Local will serve students that meet the following criteria:

Reading and Writing

• By scoring in the superior cognitive range on an ODE approved gifted assessment or
• By scoring in the 95^th percentile or higher in reading on an ODE approved gifted assessment

Math

• By scoring in the superior cognitive range on an ODE approved gifted assessment or 
• By scoring in the 95^th percentile or higher in mathematics on an ODE approved gifted assessment

Although school are required to identify students as gifted, service is not mandated and therefore all identified students may not be served. Gifted Rules limit the number of students that can be served in various service settings. Subjective criteria may not be used to exclude who would otherwise be eligible for services.  Please contact your child’s principal if you have questions or concerns about your child’s placement.

Northwest Local gifted students have the opportunity to participate in courses with increased depth and receive opportunities that allow for differentiation of services. These current options are available.

• Early Entrance to Kindergarten
• Acceleration
• Math for Gifted - Grades 3, 4 and 5
• Enriched Math - Grades 6 through 8
• Enriched English  - Grades 6 through 8
• Algebra 1 and English 9 - Grade 8
• AP English Lit
• AP Language
• AP Biology
• AP Calculus A
• AP US History
• CC+ Courses

The district ensures there are ample and appropriate procedures for assessments and reassessments using:

• Group Testing
• Individually administered tests
• Display of work
• Checklists

Children may be referred for assessment based on the following:

• Child requests (self-referral)
• Peer referral (student refers another student)
• Parent/guardian referral
• Teacher recommendation

The referral form may be obtained from the Director of Instruction, Gifted Coordinator, Building Principal, or by downloading the referral form.  

Upon completed of the referral form, Northwest Local will:

• Secure permission from the parent/guardian for testing and schedule the testing,
• Follow the district's process for identification,
• Notify parents of the results of the screening or assessment within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the results,

Northwest Local School provides at least two opportunities a year for assessment in the case of student, peer, parent, or teacher requests for assessments. In accordance with test instructions, qualified personnel administer tests. 

Appeals Process

An appeal by the parent is the course of action for reconsideration of the results of any part of the identification process, placement decisions regarding student participation in any program; and/or delivery of service(s).

Parents should submit a letter to the Director of Instruction outlining the nature of the concern. The superintendent or designee will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel, and will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice will include the reason for the final decision(s).