NAGLIERI NONVERBAL ABILITIY TEST

(NNAT)

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind.

To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse.

To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better.

To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.”

~King Whitney Jr.

BackgroundBackground

2005-2008 District Strategic Plan2005-2008 District Strategic Plan• Revamp gifted education • Improve overall quality • Ensure equity and access

Board Item B-14, proffered by Dr. Martin KarpBoard Item B-14, proffered by Dr. Martin Karp• Evaluation of gifted education K-12• Evaluation of curriculum for gifted programs• Plan to ensure that teachers of the gifted

complete required courses for endorsement• Plan to encourage teachers of the gifted to

obtain ESOL endorsement

Task of the Gifted Task ForceTask of the Gifted Task Force

The Challenges:The Challenges: Curriculum Content and

Globalization Diversity and

Disproportionality Equal and Equitable

Access Parental Support and

Student Advocacy

The Response:The Response: Paradigm Shift Policy Changes Curricular and Instructional

Adjustments

Goal of Goal of REGALREGAL Plan Plan

REGALREGAL Plan: Plan:

Part I:Part I: Gifted EducationGifted Education

Part II:Part II: Advanced Academic ProgramsAdvanced Academic Programs

Part III:Part III: Building Talented LearnersBuilding Talented Learners

To provide a three-year To provide a three-year

phase-in implementation timeline phase-in implementation timeline

that ensures achievement of high academic standards that ensures achievement of high academic standards

for for all all studentsstudents

Part I: Part I: Gifted EducationGifted Education

Full Implementation 2008-2009

Equitable identification and referrals

Equitable services Uniform standards

consistently implemented Effectiveness of teachers

and programs Engaged parents

Initial Implementation Initial Implementation 2006-20072006-2007

Greater identification Consistent and ongoing

referrals Gifted services to all

eligible K-12 students Additional professional

development Strengthened parent

connection

Academic achievement Unusual creative output Rapid learning rate or unusually insightful

conclusions Multiple nominations from teachers and staff Parental reports Outstanding academic, creative, or leadership

abilities

Current Current Screening PracticesScreening Practices

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) universal screening tool will be administered by the general education teacher to ALL first grader students

EXCLUDING:• Visually Impaired• ESE Profound• Students already identified as gifted

Students will be tested on April 18, 2007.

New Gifted ScreeningNew Gifted Screening

The NNAT is:•an equitable, •culture-neutral, and •language-free

means of assessing a student’s general ability using a nonverbal stimuli.

New Gifted ScreeningNew Gifted Screening

Identify potential in all students across the District with a uniform instrument.

Increase the opportunities for students of underrepresented groups to be referred for gifted.

Assess abilities of students not traditionally measured in the classroom.

Goal of the Goal of the NNATNNAT

REGALREGAL Plan Plan

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled

but as candles to be lit.”

~Robert Shaffer