Identification Process
Evidence of need for advanced learning services is determined by a district-level multi-disciplinary team who consider a portfolio of evidence. All decisions are based upon multiple criteria to include State assessment scores, district-level achievement measures, ability scores on the cognitive abilities test, and achievement scores in reading and math on the i-Ready or Iowa Assessments. The cognitive test and achievement test scores assist the multi-disciplinary team by providing information about each students’ ability and achievement level in comparison with their peers locally and nationwide. Decisions are based upon whether the total package of evidence indicates a need for services beyond the scope of the general education classroom.
The following assessments are administered in school and student performance levels are utilized by the multi-disciplinary team:
| Achievement Tests | Grades Administered |
|---|---|
| Iowa | 9 – 11 |
| Dual Language Assessments | K – 5 at dual language Elementary Schools/Programs |
| i-Ready Diagnostic - Literacy | K – 8 |
| i-Ready Diagnostic - Math | K – 8 |
| Smarter Balanced Assessment | 3 – 10 |
Qualifying decisions are based upon whether the total package of data indicates a need for services beyond the scope of the general education classroom. There are no weights assigned to various data points. Many are utilized in order to provide a clear picture of each student’s ability.
Current Score Range of Students Identified in Need of Advanced Learning Services:
Domain-Specific Services in Elementary, Middle, or High School
Grades K – 10
- Literacy (Verbal) Domain:
- Cognitive abilities test demonstrating ability 2+ standard deviations above the norm in verbal domain, for example, 132 SAS (Standard Age Score) or above on cognitive ability Verbal sub-section
- Achievement results demonstrating reading achievement 2 years above grade level, or above 95%.
- Math (Quantitative) Domain:
- Cognitive abilities test demonstrating ability 2+ standard deviations above the norm in quantitative domain, for example, 132 SAS (Standard Age Score) or above on cognitive ability Quantitative sub-section
- Achievement results demonstrating mathematics achievement 2 years above grade level, or above 95%.
Centered Services in Elementary, Middle, or High School
Grades 2 – 12
- Cognitive ability testing results showing 2+ standard deviations above the mean, for example, Verbal, Quantitative, Nonverbal and Composite scores at or above 132 SAS (Standard Age Score)
- Achievement results 2 years above grade level, or above 95%
- Academic grade level equivalencies in reading and math 2 years above grade level
- Other achievement data consistently at or above 95% or Level 4
Cognitive Abilities Test 7/8 (CogAT)
The Bellevue School District’s advanced learning services are designed to meet the academic needs of students determined through academic and cognitive testing. The CogAT tests a child’s cognitive reasoning ability and is scored based on a child’s birthday. For example, if a 6 1/2 year old answered 20 questions correctly, he would have a higher Standard Age Score than a student taking the same test and getting the same number of items correct who is 7 years old. In fact, the test scoring is done by increments of 3 months. So that a 6 1/2 year old student would be scored with students who are between 6 years and 6 months old to 6 years and 9 months old.
The Standard Age Score (SAS) tells you how your child compares to the other students in their age group. It has a median score of 100 with a standard deviation of 16:
• Sixty-eight percent of the general population will fall between 1 standard deviation below the mean and 1 standard deviation above the mean, with a standard age score between 84 and 116.
• Ninety-five percent of the general population will fall between 2 standard deviations below the mean and 2 standard deviations above the mean, with a standard age score between 68 and 132. Therefore, 95% of students are typically served in the general education classroom.
• Students falling below or above 2 standard deviations (2.5% of the general population) tend to receive specially designed academic services. For example, an SAS score of 132 reveals that a child has an increased rate of development in reasoning skills that is beyond the norm for their age group.
CogAT Standard Age Score Conversion to Percentile Ranks
Standard Age Score (SAS) is a normalized standard score, with a mean (average) of 100. Standard Age Scores of 89-111 are all within the average range. For example:
- A student with a SAS of 100 on the Verbal Battery has the rate and level of development of verbal reasoning skills that are typical for his/her age group.
- A student with a SAS of 116 on the Verbal Battery has a faster rate and higher level of development of verbal reasoning skills than the typical student in his/her age group.
- A student with a SAS of 132 or above on the Verbal Battery has an exceptional rate and level of development of verbal reasoning skills that are considered to be in the advanced range for his/her age group.
| Standard Age Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| 100 | 50 |
| 101 | 52 |
| 102 | 55 |
| 103 | 57 |
| 104 | 60 |
| 105 | 62 |
| 106 | 65 |
| 107 | 67 |
| 108 | 69 |
| 109 | 71 |
| 110 | 73 |
| 111 | 75 |
| Standard Age Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| 112 | 77 |
| 113 | 79 |
| 114 | 81 |
| 115 | 83 |
| 116 | 84 |
| 117 | 86 |
| 118 | 87 |
| 119 | 88 |
| 120 | 89 |
| 121 | 91 |
| 122 | 92 |
| 123 | 92 |
| Standard Age Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| 124 | 93 |
| 125 | 94 |
| 126 | 95 |
| 127 | 95 |
| 128 | 96 |
| 129 | 97 |
| 130 | 97 |
| 131 | 97 |
| 132 | 98 |
| 133-134 | 98 |
| 135-160 | 99 |
i-Ready
Families can learn more about i-Ready by visiting i-Ready Central. Teachers will also share more information about i-Ready in fall 2025. We look forward to supporting student learning in partnership with i-Ready in 2025-26! For any questions or concerns, please contact the BSD Teaching and Learning Department.
Iowa Assessments (Iowa)
The Iowa tests a student’s academic knowledge and is scored by grade level. The grade percentiles on the Iowa designate the percentile of students on the Standard Curve of the same grade as your student who obtained lower scores. The median is the 50th percentile; the highest score is the 99th percentile.
How Do I Appeal My Student’s Test Results?
Advanced Learning Department assessment criteria is applied equitably to all applicants. For students not meeting the entrance criteria, appeals for further consideration can be made.