Eligibility & Applications

If you are interested in gifted programming for your child, please contact the Gifted Programs Office at 425-456-4136 or email gifted@bsd405.org.

As per WAC 392-170-040, multiple criteria are used when assessing for gifted services.

Screen:  Bellevue School District students are screened using STAR assessment results in reading and math, MSP scores from the previous spring, and the Total Reading Comprehension rating from the beginning of the year DIBELS assessment.  Application for students not currently served by the Bellevue School District may submit last year's test results, if the child tested with the Bellevue School District last year, or test results from outside testing taken privately or through another entity or school district (within the past year).  WE DO NOT SUGGEST NOR RECOMMEND SEEKING OUTSIDE TESTING FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING THE SCREENING CRITERIA.

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN 1ST THROUGH 5TH GRADE AND CURRENTLY ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN THE BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT, DO NOT REQUEST THIS INFORMATION FROM YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER. WE HAVE ALREADY ACCESSED THIS INFORMATION AND SENT LETTERS TO STUDENTS MEETING THIS CRITERIA. 

Cognitive Abilities Test - Form 7 (CogAT): The Cognitive Abilities Test – Form 7 measures general and specific reasoning abilities in three areas: verbal - reasoning with words and sentences, quantitative - quantitative concepts and relations, and nonverbal - figural concepts expressed in pictures.

Iowa Assessments: The Iowa Assessments are used to measure reading and math achievement in grades 1-5 and just reading achievement in grades 7 - 10. Students are tested one grade level advanced as recommended for gifted testing by the testing service.

Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS): The Selection Committee will request an SRBCSS from teachers of 1st through 5th grade students scoring in the 95th percentile and above as part of the identification and selection process.

Teacher Review of Student Performance: A teacher review will be requested by the Gifted Programs Selection Committee on selected students only. A review is usually requested when the Selection Committee needs more information on a student to make an accurate judgment of placement.

SCREENING PROCESS: In accordance with WAC 392-170-050, all testing applicants must meet screening criteria to participate in the district's assessment for gifted services in January. Screening criteria are: performance in the 85th percentile on a standardized test of ability or achievement within the past 12 months, a rating of "4" in any area of the state MSP (or receive the top rating on a state assessments other than Washington), or, for in-district students in 1st and 2nd grade, a rating of "Above Proficiency" on the beginning of the year Total Reading Comprehension assessment.  All in-district students in 1st through 5th grades are automatically screened using fall STAR scores in reading and math, MSP scores from last spring, or the beginning of the year Total Reading Comprehension assessment.  Students meeting the screening criteria are notified mid-October by postal mail and invited to participate in the assessment process in January. 

TESTING SCHEDULE: Testing for gifted services is conducted in January each year.  Private and Out-of-District 8th graders are tested in January.  Test results are mailed out in mid-March for secondary students and late-March for elementary students.  We try to get the results out in time for middle and high school registration but cannot guarantee their arrival. 

If you are interested in having your child evaluated for gifted services but were not living within the Bellevue School District service area for the January testing, please contact the Gifted Programs Office at 425-456-4136 or email gifted@bsd405.org. 

OUT-OF-DISTRICT: Eighth grade students who do not live in the Bellevue School District may participate in the Bellevue School District gifted testing if they are not taking the CogAT in another location during the 2012-13 school year. If your 8th grade student is taking the CogAT in another district, you may submit the scores to the Gifted Office when you receive them. Placement is offered on a space available basis.

We do not test out-of-district students at the elementary and middle school levels.

Applications may be submitted to the Gifted Office via U S Postal Serivce.  Please do not deliver in person.

Mail:

Gifted Programs Office

Bellevue School District
PO Box 90010
Bellevue WA 98009

An informational letter regarding the testing will be mailed about a week before the test.

 

 

Please follow this procedure for students new to the Bellevue School District who are interested in Gifted Program Services:

1. Enroll your child as a student at your neighborhood school
• In order to enroll, you’ll need to provide proof of residence
• Download Proof of Residence form
  
  
2. Once you have enrolled your child in your neighborhood school:
• Fill out Gifted Programs Testing Application Form
• If your child was in another gifted program, please include any documentation, test scores, relevant to that program
• Submit the form to the Gifted Programs Office
  
  
3. When this is complete, the Gifted Programs Office will let you know of your program status and how to register, if the child(ren) qualify for our program.

 

IN COMPLIANCE WITH WAC 392-170-080, AND DUE TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES, QUALIFYING STUDENTS MOVING INTO THE DISTRICT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE PLACED THE FOLLOWING FALL OR ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS.

Cherry Crest Elementary School and Spiritridge Elementary School offer a visit during the school day in April for families of qualifying elementary students.