Referral Process

Middlesex County Public Schools
Learning Enrichment and Acceleration Program (LEAP)

The Steps of the Referral Process

Parent Referrals:

• Parent asks for a referral packet, containing a letter of explanation of giftedness, a request for consideration, and a gifted characteristics parental checklist.

• Once the parent returns the referral packet, the gifted coordinator asks the student’s classroom teacher (two core teachers at SCW or MHS) to complete a Renzulli-Hartman Scale for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students.

• While the teacher is completing the Renzulli scale, the gifted coordinator compiles available normative test data (ITBS, CogAT) and records on the referral tracking form. During this time, the gifted coordinator will administer the KBIT and the KTEA to the student, and record scores on the referral tracking form.

• The gifted coordinator will complete an in-class observation of the student, and will briefly interview the student.

• The teacher will be asked to share any student work which reflects higher level, advanced reasoning and problem solving.

• The gifted coordinator will consider all criteria (no one item, score, narrative, etc. will determine placement) and will seek input once more from the classroom teacher(s) and the building administrator and will compose a letter of finding.

• If the student is qualifies for entrance into the LEAP program, the parent will be asked to sign a letter granting permission for services.

• Finally, a meeting will be scheduled with parents, teachers, administrators, and the gifted coordinator to compose a Differentiated Learning Plan (DLP). The DLP will be revisited and updated at the start of each school year.

Teacher Referrals:

• The referring teacher will complete a Renzulli-Hartman Scale for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students.

• An evaluation/testing permission form will be sent home, along with a letter of explanation and a gifted characteristics parental checklist.

• The gifted coordinator then compiles available normative test data (ITBS, CogAT) and records on the referral tracking form. During this time, the gifted coordinator will administer the KBIT and the KTEA to the student, and record scores on the referral tracking form.

• The gifted coordinator will complete an in-class observation of the student, and will briefly interview the student.

• The teacher will be asked to share any student work which reflects higher level, advanced reasoning and problem solving.

• The gifted coordinator will consider all criteria (no one item, score, narrative, etc. will determine placement) and will seek input once more from the classroom teacher(s) and the building administrator and will compose a letter of finding.

• If the student is qualifies for entrance into the LEAP program, the parent will be asked to sign a letter granting permission for services.

• Finally, a meeting will be scheduled with parents, teachers, administrators, and the gifted coordinator to compose a Differentiated Learning Plan (DLP). The DLP will be revisited and updated at the start of each school year.