GT Identification
GT Identification Practices
There are categories of giftedness for academics and talent that Jeffco identifies using separate processes.
Academically gifted is what people typically think of as giftedness. Identification can occur in one or more of the academic areas below and is based on a Body of Evidence. If students are identified as GT, they will be placed on an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP).
Use the Academic ID Referral link if you are looking for GT identification only, not GT Center placement. The referral is open during the school year. Use the GT Center application to apply for GT Center.
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- General intellectual ability
Families who are interested in an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) should complete the 2024-25 GT Identification (ID) Referral Form:
2024-25 GT Identification (ID) Referral Form (English)
Formulario de remisión para la identificación GT, 2024-25 (Español)
2023-24 GT ID Форма направления (русский)
2024-25 GT ID Mẫu giấy Giới thiệu (Tiếng Việt)
The district only identifies students enrolled in a Jeffco school through this process.
The purpose for gifted and talented (GT) identification is to provide programming different from the standard curriculum to better meet the unique needs of gifted students. Students whose academic and affective needs are being met by the standard curriculum are not likely candidates for GT identification.
- Jeffco follows Colorado Department of Education (CDE) guidelines for identification practices.
- Jeffco accepts and encourages referrals from all sources, including parents, educators and students for all grade levels of students.
- All schools have access to a GT Resource Teacher who can explain the identification process to interested families.
- Jeffco screens all students in second grade using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Students are not expected to do anything special to prepare for the test.
- There are also other cognitive and achievement tests and scales that can be used as evidence to identify a student as GT.
Talent
These are strength areas where students may demonstrate exceptionality in certain fields. Your student may already have an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) to add a Talent strength area. Each of these talent areas requires a unique application process.
Creative-Productive Thinking Talent Area
Creative-productive thinking is exceptional capability or potential in mental processes, such as critical thinking, creative problem-solving, humor, independent or original thinking or products.
Leadership Talent Area
Leadership is exceptional capability or potential to lead. Leadership can manifest in a variety of ways across differing experiences and activities.
Music Talent Area
Advanced music aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in music, including but not limited to vocal, instrumental, composition, songwriting or musical expression.
Psychomotor Talent Area
Psychomotor aptitude is the exceptional capability or potential in athletics at the state or national level.
Visual Arts Talent Area
Advanced visual art aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in the visual arts, including but not limited to drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and design.
Performing Arts Talent Area
Advanced performing arts aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in the performing arts, including but not limited to acting, drama, speech or debate, scriptwriting and stage design.
Dance Talent Area
Advanced dance aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in the area of dance. Identification of dance aptitude is assessed through a body of evidence.
Apply to GT
Contact your school's GT Resource Teacher or gtinform@jeffco.k12.co.us for more information about GT Center availability for next year.
Gifted Center Process Flowchart
Jeffco GT provides free cognitive testing for all currently enrolled Jeffco students. There is a $25 fee for non-Jeffco students. Contact the GT office for payment.
External testing data
If you have additional testing data external to Jeffco such as WISC IV, DAS, Stanford-Binet or other cognitive testing you would like Jeffco to consider for the application, mail it to:
Jeffco Public Schools
Gifted & Talented
1829 Denver West Dr. #27
Golden, CO 80401
Body of Evidence
Jeffco GT reviews a full Body of Evidence for all identification decisions, using the 95th percentile for age or grade norms as criteria, or an exceptional/distinguished rating that determines exceptionality consistent with CDE guidelines. A single piece of evidence neither qualifies nor disqualifies a student for GT identification. The review of the Body of Evidence is done by a team of at least 2 qualified GT personnel who are trained in GT identification.
Jeffco’s Body of Evidence follows CDE guidelines, including qualitative and quantitative data. Qualifying evidence comes from Cognitive Assessments, Achievement Assessments, Behavioral Observations and Performance Evaluations. Jeffco identifies GT students based on evidence from a variety of sources.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
CogAT screens all second-graders to identify exceptional potential and talent. This universal screener identifies all populations at a given grade level, including English language learners, students with special needs and those who may not be achieving on other traditional academic measures.
Contact Us
Gifted and Talented
Phone: 303-982-6650
Email: gtinform@jeffco.k12.co.us
GT Resource Teachers
A GT Resource Teacher provides services to students, teachers, administrators and parents to meet individual students' needs. GT Resource Teachers serve many schools, and are not full-time at any school.
SEL & GT Counselors
A GT Counselor, also known as a Social Emotional Learning counselor (SELC), provides social-emotional learning support for GT Center classes and listens to GT Center students' concerns about academic, emotional or social concerns.
Building Leaders
Building Leaders are members of the school staff who share info from the GT Department with the individual school's community.