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Assessment And Eligibility

Assessment and Eligibility

NOTES FOR ALL TESTING SESSIONS:

 

  • Students can only test once in a 12-month period.
  • If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.
When will my student be assessed? When can I see assessment results?
NOTE: Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.
First Weeks of School
 
  • WHO: New-to-district students in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades
  • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
    • 1st or 2nd grade: CogAT Screener
  • No parent sign-up needed.
  • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-Oct.
Winter Gradewide (after Winter Break)
 
  • WHO: SCUSD Gradewide Kinder–5 students (not including Open Classroom)
  • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
    • K: CogAT Screener
    • 3rd: Full CogAT
  • No parent sign-up needed.
  • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-April.
January/February Opt-in Steps (Eligibility, Invitations)
 
  • WHO: Any Kinder or 3rd grade student not attending a SLCSD school; any Open Classroom Kinder or 3rd grade student; AND any 6th or 7th graders.
    • NOTE: 6th or 7th graders currently in a Magnet classroom OR 6th or 7th grade students previously eligible but not in a Magnet classroom do not need to re-test.
  • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
    • K: Full CogAT with age appropriate breaks
    • 3rd, 6th, 7th grade: Full CogAT
  • Sign up on the website from Sept. 15–Dec. 12.
  • Assessment happens in late January/early February.
  • Advanced Academics Department will mail results & eligibility.
Neighborhood Eligibility Letters
 
  • Advanced Academic Mentoring Program (AAMP) invitations mailed by Sept. 5 for K–3 students who qualified from prior year
  • School psychologists will screen for 4th–6th grade AAMP eligibility after test scores released
  • Advanced Academic Department will send letters by September 13, 2025
Gradewide Magnet Eligibility and Letters
 
  • Magnet eligibility letters are mailed directly from the Advanced Academic Dept. for all gradewide assessments.
  • These are automatically sent after assessment testing. If your student is not eligible, you will not receive a letter.
Appeal Application Deadlines
 
  • Magnet Appeal: September 12–16
  • NNAT and summer 2nd–3rd grader assessment: Nov. 1–5
  • Winter testing: March 21–25
  • Notification of outcome by April 17
What grades are assessed? What assessment will they receive?
NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period. Your student tested but was ill or not in a condition to test to the best of their ability? You must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

Kindergarten

SLCSD GRADEWIDE:  No sign up needed. 

One or Two Assessments

  • CogAT Screener:
    • Up to 30 min
    • Computer based
    • Composite VQN score
  • Stanine & Follow up Post-Screener:
    • Up to 30 mins each
    • Computer based

OPEN CLASSROOM & STUDENTS NOT IN A SLCSD SCHOOL:  Sign up required.  Online application open from Sept. 15-Dec. 12.   Testing in late January/early February

  • Full CogAT with age appropriate breaks 
  • Up to 2.5 hours
  • Computer based
 

1st & 2nd Grades

No assessment

For Magnet Gifted and Talented eligibility:

  • Kindergarten assessment scores as starting point
  • Utilization of other data points (ie, achievement, observations) for inclusion consideration

3rd Grade

SLCSD GRADEWIDE:  No sign up needed.

OPEN CLASSROOM & STUDENTS NOT IN A SLCSD SCHOOL:  Sign up required.  Online application open from Sept. 15 -Dec. 12.  Testing in late January/early February.

One Assessment

  • Full CogAT: 
  • Up to 3 hours (average 2.5 hr)
  • Computer based
  • Verbal score
  • Quantitative score
  • Nonverbal score
  • V & Q score
  • Q & N score
  • V & N score
  • Composite VQN Score

4th & 5th Grades

No assessment

For Magnet Gifted and Talented eligibility:

  • 3rd assessment scores as starting point
  • Utilization of other data points (ie, achievement, observations) for inclusion consideration

For Middle School
(current 6th & 7th for next year placement)

FOR HONORS ADVANCED CLASSES:  

  • No assessment score required
  • Reach out to your school counselor for enrollment options

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL MAGNET:

Sign up required. Online application open from Sept. 15-Dec. 12.  Testing in late January/early February.

One Assessment

  • Full CogAT: 
    • Up to 3 hours (average 2.5 hr)
    • Computer based
    • Verbal score
    • Quantitative score
    • Nonverbal score
    • V & Q score
    • Q & N score
    • V & N score
    • Composite VQN Score
 

 
When can I see assessment results?
NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

First Weeks of School -- New-to District

  • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-October.
  • Magnet eligibility letters and waitlist letters are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department, separate from assessment scores, via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications).
  • Those who do not meet eligibility requirements will not receive a letter.
 

Winter Gradewide -- Kindergarten & 3rd Grades     

  • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-April.
  • Magnet eligibility letters and waitlist letters are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department, separate from assessment scores, via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications).
  • Those who do not meet eligibility requirements will not receive a letter.

January/February Opt-In --Non SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades; 6th & 7th Grades

  • Assessment results are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department to the email listed in your online application by mid-March.

Magnet Gifted and Talented Eligibility

Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the Advanced Academics Department moved forward with some changes in our identification procedures. We have, historically, struggled to find the balance of open-ended access and sufficient, timely communications and decisions. Past school years provided particularly strong examples of that struggle. School closures, relocation of Magnet locations, and the shifting interest and concerns the community shared caused many prior procedures to become complicated because past trends no longer applied to the new circumstances. 

We worked to align our district identification procedures with those of our neighboring districts. National recommendations say that gifted identification should range between 3-7% of a population. With that goal in mind, our procedures are to identify a range of students in each Magnet area. By focusing the identification criteria and procedures, the Advanced Academics Department is better equipped to communicate with parents, principals, teachers, and the transportation department in a more timely and efficient way. 

Especially for our students that receive the full CogAT assessment, there is so much information available unrelated to gifted identification. On the CogAT score report, there is an Ability Profile that gives both parents and teachers insights into thinking preferences and strengths along with recommendations of things we adults can do to support student growth. This can be a powerful tool when combined with other college & career planning tools to guide a student’s understanding about themselves and make meaningful goals for their learning. 

FAQs 

How do I access my student’s CogAT Scores: 
They are on the CogAT Student Summary Report, which can be found in Parent Portal: 
1. Login to Parent Portal (https://powerschool.slcschools.org)
2. Select the 'Student Information' link in the left-hand side menu. 
3. The CogAT report is in the 'Test Scores' section.  

If you need help accessing your Parent Portal, reach out to your school’s front office secretary. If you do not see your student’s CogAT Summary Report, feel free to reach out to the Advanced Academics Department.  

What information can be found in the CogAT Student Summary Report? 
The report contains your student’s stanine score.  For kindergarten students, there is only one composite score; but for students in 3rd grade or older, the Student Summary Report includes individual verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning scores as well as an ability profile. 

How will I know if my student is eligible for Magnet? 
The Advanced Academics Department contacts Magnet eligible families via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications), or letter if there is no email available. We will announce on the Advanced Academics website when we have finished notifying families. 

My student is not Magnet eligible, but I think they would be a good fit. What do I do? 
We have appeal forms available under our Forms tab on the Advanced Academics Department webpage on the district website.  You can click here for the appeal form: APPPEAL FORM  As part of the appeal, we have a survey that we prefer both a parent and teacher/school employee fill out.  Click here for the survey: SURVEY

 

When can I see assessment results?
NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

First Weeks of School -- New-to-district

 

  • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents ONLY if their student is eligible.
 

Winter Gradewide -- SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades

 

  • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents ONLY if their student is eligible.

January/February Opt-In -- Non-SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades AND 6th & 7th Grades

 

  • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents with assessment results and eligibility status.

 

AAMP Eligibility

  • Advanced Academic & Mentoring Program (AAMP) opt-in letters are sent home, from the school's AAMP teacher, during the first few weeks of school.
  • AAMP groups start the week of Sept 8
  • For those not eligible for neighborhood that want to be considered, ask your AAMP teacher for appeal paperwork.  Appeals are due by September 12, 2025.

  • When will my student be assessed? When can I see assessment results?
    NOTE: Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.
    First Weeks of School
     
    • WHO: New-to-district students in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades
    • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
      • 1st or 2nd grade: CogAT Screener
    • No parent sign-up needed.
    • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-Oct.
    Winter Gradewide (after Winter Break)
     
    • WHO: SCUSD Gradewide Kinder–5 students (not including Open Classroom)
    • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
      • K: CogAT Screener
      • 3rd: Full CogAT
    • No parent sign-up needed.
    • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-April.
    January/February Opt-in Steps (Eligibility, Invitations)
     
    • WHO: Any Kinder or 3rd grade student not attending a SLCSD school; any Open Classroom Kinder or 3rd grade student; AND any 6th or 7th graders.
      • NOTE: 6th or 7th graders currently in a Magnet classroom OR 6th or 7th grade students previously eligible but not in a Magnet classroom do not need to re-test.
    • WHAT ASSESSMENT:
      • K: Full CogAT with age appropriate breaks
      • 3rd, 6th, 7th grade: Full CogAT
    • Sign up on the website from Sept. 15–Dec. 12.
    • Assessment happens in late January/early February.
    • Advanced Academics Department will mail results & eligibility.
    Neighborhood Eligibility Letters
     
    • Advanced Academic Mentoring Program (AAMP) invitations mailed by Sept. 5 for K–3 students who qualified from prior year
    • School psychologists will screen for 4th–6th grade AAMP eligibility after test scores released
    • Advanced Academic Department will send letters by September 13, 2025
    Gradewide Magnet Eligibility and Letters
     
    • Magnet eligibility letters are mailed directly from the Advanced Academic Dept. for all gradewide assessments.
    • These are automatically sent after assessment testing. If your student is not eligible, you will not receive a letter.
    Appeal Application Deadlines
     
    • Magnet Appeal: September 12–16
    • NNAT and summer 2nd–3rd grader assessment: Nov. 1–5
    • Winter testing: March 21–25
    • Notification of outcome by April 17

  • What grades are assessed? What assessment will they receive?
    NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period. Your student tested but was ill or not in a condition to test to the best of their ability? You must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

    Kindergarten

    SLCSD GRADEWIDE:  No sign up needed. 

    One or Two Assessments

    • CogAT Screener:
      • Up to 30 min
      • Computer based
      • Composite VQN score
    • Stanine & Follow up Post-Screener:
      • Up to 30 mins each
      • Computer based

    OPEN CLASSROOM & STUDENTS NOT IN A SLCSD SCHOOL:  Sign up required.  Online application open from Sept. 15-Dec. 12.   Testing in late January/early February

    • Full CogAT with age appropriate breaks 
    • Up to 2.5 hours
    • Computer based
     

    1st & 2nd Grades

    No assessment

    For Magnet Gifted and Talented eligibility:

    • Kindergarten assessment scores as starting point
    • Utilization of other data points (ie, achievement, observations) for inclusion consideration

    3rd Grade

    SLCSD GRADEWIDE:  No sign up needed.

    OPEN CLASSROOM & STUDENTS NOT IN A SLCSD SCHOOL:  Sign up required.  Online application open from Sept. 15 -Dec. 12.  Testing in late January/early February.

    One Assessment

    • Full CogAT: 
    • Up to 3 hours (average 2.5 hr)
    • Computer based
    • Verbal score
    • Quantitative score
    • Nonverbal score
    • V & Q score
    • Q & N score
    • V & N score
    • Composite VQN Score

    4th & 5th Grades

    No assessment

    For Magnet Gifted and Talented eligibility:

    • 3rd assessment scores as starting point
    • Utilization of other data points (ie, achievement, observations) for inclusion consideration

    For Middle School
    (current 6th & 7th for next year placement)

    FOR HONORS ADVANCED CLASSES:  

    • No assessment score required
    • Reach out to your school counselor for enrollment options

    FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL MAGNET:

    Sign up required. Online application open from Sept. 15-Dec. 12.  Testing in late January/early February.

    One Assessment

    • Full CogAT: 
      • Up to 3 hours (average 2.5 hr)
      • Computer based
      • Verbal score
      • Quantitative score
      • Nonverbal score
      • V & Q score
      • Q & N score
      • V & N score
      • Composite VQN Score
     

     

  • When can I see assessment results?
    NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

    First Weeks of School -- New-to District

    • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-October.
    • Magnet eligibility letters and waitlist letters are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department, separate from assessment scores, via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications).
    • Those who do not meet eligibility requirements will not receive a letter.
     

    Winter Gradewide -- Kindergarten & 3rd Grades     

    • Assessment results will be populated in Parent Portal by mid-April.
    • Magnet eligibility letters and waitlist letters are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department, separate from assessment scores, via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications).
    • Those who do not meet eligibility requirements will not receive a letter.

    January/February Opt-In --Non SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades; 6th & 7th Grades

    • Assessment results are sent directly from the Advanced Academics Department to the email listed in your online application by mid-March.

  • Magnet Gifted and Talented Eligibility

    Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the Advanced Academics Department moved forward with some changes in our identification procedures. We have, historically, struggled to find the balance of open-ended access and sufficient, timely communications and decisions. Past school years provided particularly strong examples of that struggle. School closures, relocation of Magnet locations, and the shifting interest and concerns the community shared caused many prior procedures to become complicated because past trends no longer applied to the new circumstances. 

    We worked to align our district identification procedures with those of our neighboring districts. National recommendations say that gifted identification should range between 3-7% of a population. With that goal in mind, our procedures are to identify a range of students in each Magnet area. By focusing the identification criteria and procedures, the Advanced Academics Department is better equipped to communicate with parents, principals, teachers, and the transportation department in a more timely and efficient way. 

    Especially for our students that receive the full CogAT assessment, there is so much information available unrelated to gifted identification. On the CogAT score report, there is an Ability Profile that gives both parents and teachers insights into thinking preferences and strengths along with recommendations of things we adults can do to support student growth. This can be a powerful tool when combined with other college & career planning tools to guide a student’s understanding about themselves and make meaningful goals for their learning. 

    FAQs 

    How do I access my student’s CogAT Scores: 
    They are on the CogAT Student Summary Report, which can be found in Parent Portal: 
    1. Login to Parent Portal (https://powerschool.slcschools.org)
    2. Select the 'Student Information' link in the left-hand side menu. 
    3. The CogAT report is in the 'Test Scores' section.  

    If you need help accessing your Parent Portal, reach out to your school’s front office secretary. If you do not see your student’s CogAT Summary Report, feel free to reach out to the Advanced Academics Department.  

    What information can be found in the CogAT Student Summary Report? 
    The report contains your student’s stanine score.  For kindergarten students, there is only one composite score; but for students in 3rd grade or older, the Student Summary Report includes individual verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning scores as well as an ability profile. 

    How will I know if my student is eligible for Magnet? 
    The Advanced Academics Department contacts Magnet eligible families via ParentSquare (be sure you have signed up to receive ParentSquare notifications), or letter if there is no email available. We will announce on the Advanced Academics website when we have finished notifying families. 

    My student is not Magnet eligible, but I think they would be a good fit. What do I do? 
    We have appeal forms available under our Forms tab on the Advanced Academics Department webpage on the district website.  You can click here for the appeal form: APPPEAL FORM  As part of the appeal, we have a survey that we prefer both a parent and teacher/school employee fill out.  Click here for the survey: SURVEY

     

    When can I see assessment results?
    NOTE:  Students can only test once in a 12-month period.  If your student was ill or otherwise not in a condition to test at the best of their ability, you must contact the Advanced Academics Department within 48 hours of the testing session to request a retest.

    First Weeks of School -- New-to-district

     

    • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents ONLY if their student is eligible.
     

    Winter Gradewide -- SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades

     

    • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents ONLY if their student is eligible.

    January/February Opt-In -- Non-SLCSD Kinder & 3rd Grades AND 6th & 7th Grades

     

    • The Advanced Academics Department will contact parents with assessment results and eligibility status.

     

    AAMP Eligibility

    • Advanced Academic & Mentoring Program (AAMP) opt-in letters are sent home, from the school's AAMP teacher, during the first few weeks of school.
    • AAMP groups start the week of Sept 8
    • For those not eligible for neighborhood that want to be considered, ask your AAMP teacher for appeal paperwork.  Appeals are due by September 12, 2025.

More Information