Page 33 - Superintendent Report 2021-22

Gifted Screener Update

The goal of implementing a gifted screener in second grade is to identify traditionally under-
represented students in Title I and non-Title I schools. The District can identify potential giftedness
through the screener and provide students access to accelerated or gifted coursework as they
progress through the gifted evaluation process.

The FY22 school year marked the District’s first year implementing the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability
Test (NNAT3) universal screener at 69 elementary schools. The gifted non-verbal assessment was
administered to all eligible second graders, totaling 7,353. This resulted in 253% more students
accessing the gifted screener than in FY21. The number of students screened for gifted programs
using the NNAT3 has more than doubled from FY21.

National averages show that six to ten percent of students initially screened meet the requirements
for gifted identification. At the close of the FY22 school year, 1,310 rising third-grade students will
progress in the gifted evaluation process.

As students are screened as potentially gifted, it is essential to ensure that the District has enough
gifted-certified teachers to serve this population of students. The District has responded to this
need by offering teachers flexible online certification courses at no cost. These gifted endorsement
certification courses are offered in both English and Spanish. There are approximately 150 teachers
currently enrolled in this online gifted endorsement program.

Multicultural Education

The Department of Multicultural Education meets the educational
needs of diverse English Language Learners (ELL). The ELL
students represent 17.9% of the total student population served
by the District.

Through the Title III Grant, the department supports individuals
with unique educational needs throughout the system. It provides
guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates
regarding ELLs. Through the efforts listed below, the latest
graduation rate for SDPBC ELL students is 86.1%, representing a
15.7% increase compared to FY17.

The Department of Migrant Education serves to meet the diverse
needs of 2,130 migrant students and families. Through the Title I
Part C Grant, the department supports students and families migrating to the District throughout
the year.

These two departments collaborate with various community organizations and form partnerships
in service of the District’s Welcoming and Inclusive Schools Resolution. The staff developed and
implemented the District’s Immigrant Support Plan through this resolution. Over 5,000 employees
participated in online learning on the Immigrant Support Plan this past year. Schools and departments
are engaging in deeper understanding to ensure that they are welcoming and inclusive for all
students—particularly those who are part of the immigrant or migrant communities.

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