Identification at the Elementary Level

Identification at the Elementary Level:5646846

Each elementary building’s GEL teacher works together with the classroom teachers, principal and parent community to use a combination of identification criteria and considerations. Identification of students for GEL programming is an ongoing process. Students may move in and out of the program depending on GEL course content, student interest, and student mastery of the regular curriculum.

Our regular assessment schedule for elementary students occurs in the early spring of the school year for 2nd-4th graders; however, our identification process is a flexible process, making it possible to assess potential students throughout the school year.


Students are identified for GEL identified services using a combination of the following criteria and considerations:
  • Ability and Achievement Assessments — Ability assessments used in the identification process include the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT), Otis Lenin Ability Test (OLSAT), and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition (KBIT2). The achievement assessment used in the identification process is the NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). Typically, students scoring in the 92nd percentile or higher on their achievement and ability assessments will be identified for the program.

  • Classroom Assessments— Assessments include a variety of tests and may include a combination of reading theme tests, language fluency tests, leveled reading tests, math problem-solving opportunities and computation assessments.

  • Teacher inventory and parent referral – Referrals for testing can be made by teachers, specialists, and/or parents.

Please contact your child's classroom teacher or the GEL teacher at your child’s school for more information.