• Testing Instruments

    Cartwright offers two testing instruments to identify gifted pupils: the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test (NNAT3) (NNAT3) and The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) (CogAT). Testing is offered several times throughout the school year.

    • The Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test (NNAT3) may be used for all pupils. This is a widely used test for identifying ELL pupils, as well as those from other diverse populations
    • The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is used to identify verbally, quantitatively, and non-verbally gifted pupils. This instrument includes all three areas of identification within one test that can be administered within a reasonable testing period.

    Gifted Testing

    • September 16th - October 2nd - Fall Testing for Grades 3-8, based on AZMERIT Data
    • January 13th - February 13th - Mid-Year Testing for Grades 1-8, with nominations accepted from December 9th - 20th
    • February 10th - 13th - 5th Grade Blanket Test
    • March 24th - 27th - 2nd Grade Blanket Test
    • April 22nd - May 16th - Spring Testing for Kindergarten - 8th (except 2nd grade), with nominations accepted from March 1st - 10th

    Placement

    There are two different programming options for scholars who test at 88% or higher on either gifted assessment.

    Cluster Grouping

    Pupils who qualify for the Cartwright Gifted Program (88% or higher) are placed in a gifted cluster classroom and receive site-based services. The Gifted Program services cluster pupils by grade level after being identified on the CogAT or NNAT3. Gifted program services offer grade-level mastery, compacted curriculum, differentiation, enrichment and extensions, project-based research, mentoring, and the use of technology for gifted pupils.

    Gifted Academies

    Highly performing or highly achieving pupils in grades K-6 who qualify at 88% or above are invited to attend the Tarver Gifted Academy located at Bret R. Tarver Leadership Academy.

    Highly performing or highly achieving pupils in grades 7-8 who qualify at 88% or above are invited to attend the Marc T. Atkinson Gifted Academy. Teachers at the gifted academies utilize differentiation, enrichment, and curriculum extension strategies to achieve mastery of grade-level standards.