WATG 2024 Annual Conference

Teacher rating scales or behavior checklists are a common data point in making gifted identification decisions. But some of what these scales measure stems from the person doing the rating as opposed to the student being rated. This session will share new research from >50,000 students who were all rated with one of five different rating scales. We will share what we found and recommendations for how to decrease rater effect and increase the validity of the data derived from these instruments.

So many Federal Javits grants do excellent work, but then disappear when the funding ends. As part of a 2020 Javits grant, a team of researchers worked to train staff from ten districts around the country on best practices in student identification. Lessons learned were used to develop an online system of training modules, through which educators from 20 additional districts worked in 2023 – 2024. Now, those modules are free and available for anyone to use! This session will provide an overview of what they cover, why the content can help improve identification practices, and how they can be accessed and used by anyone.

Many schools say they cluster group for gifted services, but few say they do it successfully. Dr. Lansdowne will address the inherent challenges and suggest ways schools can overcome common obstacles when cluster grouping. Participants will learn how to create a fair and equitable system for serving gifted students by incorporating cluster grouping into school and district initiatives. She will discuss methods for making student placements, supporting cluster teachers, monitoring success, and building community support.