1. Carole Ann Linehan
Advanced Academic Resource Teacher
Mosby Woods Elementary School

2. Agenda School Based Services Level IV Screening
Parent resources for enrichment and critical and creative thinking strategies

3. Part 1
School Based Services

4. One size does not fit all.
What is best for your child?
As a school system we have embraced a child-centered approach to education – an approach that is designed to meet the needs of each child by asking “What is best for this child?”. We work to that end by offering differentiated instruction to all children that includes high expectations with the appropriate level of challenge.

5. In the FCPS Advanced Academic brochure you will find a description of the continuum of services that the Advanced Academic Programs in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offer students.
We have adopted this model in order to emphasize the importance of labeling services, not children, so that all children have the opportunity to work at a level of challenge that best meets their needs.
We will now show a short video that captures these levels of service in our elementary schools.

6. Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies
Level I Services
All children learn to think, reason, and problem-solve through nine strategies that challenge students to use and apply knowledge in new and different ways.
Lessons that develop critical and creative thinking skills are used by teachers with all students in K-6 classrooms.
Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons are for all students K-6.
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) and the classroom teacher work together to teach these lessons that ask students to think critically and creatively about topics in the grade level POS and SOL.

7. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills
There are lessons tied to every subject area in each grade level. For each of the 9 strategies, there is an introductory lesson that the student then applies to specific content.
These 9 thinking strategies are posted on the Advanced Academic Programs web page at and are great for parents to reinforce at home in discussions.

8. Second graders use fluent thinking to elaborate on Droodles which are doodle and riddles.

9. Second graders read the book, Beach Is to Fun to study analogies.

10. Fourth graders used fluent thinking to write questions for Virginia studies content.

11. Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength Level II
Differentiated instruction is provided through more challenging content, assignments, resources, and flexible groupings in one or more areas of academic strength. Advanced Academic Resource Teachers plan, collaborate, and share ideas and resources with classroom teachers and other specialists.

12. Differentiation is flexible and ongoing

13. Second graders work on nonfiction using the Jacob’s Ladder program.

14. Part-Time Advanced Academic Program Level III
Students work directly with the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher to receive enrichment and extensions to curriculum and instruction. The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Mrs. Linehan, plans and collaborates with the classroom teachers and other teachers who work with the students e.g., ESOL and special education.

15. Third graders explain their thinking using Mentoring Mathematical Minds M3.

16. Fourth grade students analyze primary resources.

17. Fifth graders brainstorm cultural universals.

18. Sixth graders develop generalizations for the concept of change.

19. Quarterly Record of Service

20. Young Scholars – A Model for Success
All Levels
K-12
Young Scholars
Committed professionals
Nurture, guide, support
Essential elements
Find, identify
Young Scholars is a Model that is used to find and nurture students who have been traditionally underserved in AAP - EL students, 2e students, black and Hispanic students, students in poverty, etc. The model is comprised of 4 major components.
There is a video available on the AAP website explaining in more detail. Additionally, an article from the Washington Post is linked on the AAP website.
The purpose is to identify students early – in the primary grades – from populations of students who have historically been underrepresented in advanced academics, and provide to them the supports and interventions that will help them access and be successful in rigorous coursework as they progress through the grades.
Young Scholars may simultaneously be identified for level II, III, or IV services. They keep the designation through grade 12 to allow us to see the impact of early nurturance on success in advanced coursework in high school. We have a large group of these students in high school now and data shows that 77% are taking advanced courses in secondary school. 79% of those students are achieving A’s and B’s. Each year, Young Scholars is included as a piece of the Closing the Minority Student Achievement Gap drivers and goals.

21. Local Screening for School-Based Services (Levels II-III)
All students are evaluated for Advanced Academic Programs school-based services using multiple sources of information.
Local school Advanced Academic Programs screening committee determines eligibility for school-based services
Parents/guardians may initiate a referral

22. Full-Time Advanced Academic Program Grades 3-6 Level IV
The full-time advanced academic program is differentiated in depth, breadth, and pace of instruction. It provides an appropriate level of challenge for highly gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving. The mathematics curriculum is accelerated by one grade level and readings and resources that are used in other subject areas are also presented at advanced levels. Students have opportunities for ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment.

23. Part 2: AAP Level IV Screening

24. Information Considered in Placement Decisions for Part-Time and Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs
Ability test scores
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT), Grade 1
-FCPS Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Custom Form, Grade 2
Achievement Test Scores
- Standards of Learning (SOL) scores
Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS)
Progress Reports
Additional Information
- record of previous Advanced Academic services received
- work samples, certificates, and/or awards (8 ½ x 11)
- Parent Questionnaire (for level IV referrals)

25. Local School Screening for Full-Time Advanced Academic Placement
Grade 2: Pool Candidates
Screening pool is established using the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) from 1st grade and the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) Custom Form, Grade 2.
Parents of students in the second grade screening pool receive a letter notifying them that their child will be screened for the full-time advanced academic program. Parents may decline screening.
Grades 2– 7: Referral Candidates
Parents may submit full-time advanced academic program referrals for 2nd grade students not in the pool, and students in grades 3-7.
Referrals and optional materials are due February 3, 2015.
New FCPS students files due October 24, 2014.
Screening file is prepared by the local school Advanced Academic Programs screening committee and submitted to central selection committee.
Eligibility decisions made by the central selection committee, and reviewed by an oversight committee.
Parent/guardian(s) are notified by mail regarding eligibility.
Screening pool benchmark score is published on the Advanced Academic Programs website in mid January. Schools notify parents in writing if their child has the benchmark score or above and will be screened for level IV services. A parent can opt out of this screening. The pool is only for grade 2, and will only include students from the fall window of grade 1 and grade 2. Any spring testing is not included in the pool.
There is no advantage to being in the screening pool – it merely gives a starting point for screening files and guarantees that students whose parents may not be aware of the referral process are not missed for consideration.
If a child does not have the benchmark score on any of the FCPS CogAT Custom Form Grade 2, CogAT (grades 3-6) subtests or the NNAT, parents can submit a referral to the local school by February 3. All parents can submit optional information (parent/guardian questionnaire, work samples and certificates, letter according to guidelines) to the local school by February 3. All schools are required to submit 1 work sample and 1 response to a critical and creative thinking lesson produced in school.
School completes the GBRS with commentary and pulls together all other information (test data sheet, progress reports) and submits the completed file to the AAP office. A central selection committee-consisting of AARTs, Level IV Center teachers, administrators, special ed, ESOL, psychologists, counselors, and social workers reviews each file followed by an oversight committee. All decisions are mailed at the end of April. Appeals can be filed, details in the ineligible letter.

26. Testing Timeline
All 1st/2nd grade students, and students in grades 3-7 who are missing ability test scores, are tested. *First graders will take the NNAT in March. *Second graders will take the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test, Custom Form, Grade 2 in the fall.
Scores from the 1st grade NNAT and FCPS Cognitive Ability Test, Custom Form, Grade 2 (during the regular testing window) are considered for the 2nd grade pool. All other Level IV screening files are generated by referral.
There is no advantage to having a file initiated by pool vs. referral.
Fall Testing Windows:
FCPS Cognitive Ability Test, Custom Form, Grade 2 and CogAT (grades 3-7 by request for CogAT or NNAT) (October 2014)
Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) March 2015
Spring testing is only for FCPS students enrolled after the fall testing cycle and are referred for Level IV advanced academic services.
A parent/guardian may seek private testing through a licensed psychologist or through GMU. Call
The NNAT is a nonverbal measure that does not require verbal or mathematical skills, it is well suited for first grade students. The results will continue to be used for the second grade pool and for screening and selection for advanced academic services.
If a student takes the NNAT in 2nd grade, even if their score is above the benchmark, they will not automatically be included in the pool – a referral will need to be made.
Only students who took the grade 1 NNAT and the FCPS Cognitive Ability Test Custom Form Grade 2, are considered for the pool. All other screening files will be initiated through referral. There is no advantage to being in the pool over being screened through referral.

27. Mosby Woods Testing Timeline 2014-2015
FCPS Cognitive Ability Test, Custom Form, Grade 2 October 21-24
Grades 2-6 NNAT* November 19th
First Grade Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) March 2015

28. Best practices in identification
Best practices indicate that multiple measures and valid indicators from multiple sources must be used to assess and serve gifted students. Information should be gathered from multiple sources, in different ways and in different contexts. —NAGC, 1997

29. Students experience an extended Program Of Studies at greater levels of depth and complexity.
At the middle school level, in addition to the center program, every middle school now offers Honors classes in the four core subject areas. Students may enroll in one, two, three, or four Honors classes.

30. Guidelines for Work Samples
Pages must be single-sided, 8 ½ x 11”.
Pages must be 2-dimensional only; However, a photograph of a 3D work sample is acceptable.
Multiple pages may be copied to one page as long as it is large enough to read. Or, a single page from a multi-page work sample may be included.
Copies or originals are acceptable (work samples will not be returned)
It is helpful to write a brief sentence or two that highlights what the committee should notice about the sample

31. Math Sample from Mentoring Young Mathematicians (M2)
This utilizes math vocabulary related to the concept and shows understanding of the big idea.
The student supports their answer with an example.

32. Math Non-Sample
While the 4th-grade student completing this sample scored perfectly, the work shows a rote process. This type of work is important, but does not showcase the type of problem solving thinking that would be good evidence for needing full-time placement in a level IV center.
Instead, showcasing a single problem that requires the student apply mathematics concepts to problem solve would be preferred.

33. Language Arts: Encapsulation
This is an encapsulation of chapter 18 of the book Bud, Not Buddy, whereby the student put important ideas from the chapter on a license plate.
This sample would be stronger if there was a short blurb pointing out that it was using the encapsulation strategy and verbalizing some of the symbolic ideas represented.

34. Language Arts Non-Sample
This word study sample shows the student does well sorting words and using them in sentences. It is not a strong language arts sample.
A stronger sample might include literary analysis, creativity, persuasive writing, etc.

35. Science: Plant analogies
A 2nd grade Spanish Immersion student created analogies about the parts of a flower in Spanish

36. Science Non-Sample
The student scored 100% on this plants quiz. However, the answers on it required recall of knowledge level information.
Possibilities for strong science work samples may include: designing an experiment, creating big questions for research, solving or inventing an engineering solution.

37. Social Studies: Johnoglyphics
A 3rd grade student created the following system, modeled on hieroglyphics, to teach toddlers to read.
In addition to connections to Social Studies content, this work sample shows fluency and elaboration in an original solution to a problem.

38. Social Studies Non-Sample
This sample shows the student is able to recall information about the 3 branches of government.
A preferred work sample might include: analysis of a primary source document, relating to different points of view in past or current events, making intra- or inter-disciplinary connections related to Social Studies content, etc.

39. Other work samples
This student created a series of comic strips and designed a web site where they were posted.
The comics and site showed a mature sense of humor in creating new products about every day topics.

40. Other Work Samples
This student created a poster of 4 Ways of Smart (Picture, Nature, Body, and Music).
The poster displays a strong sense of design.

41. Other work samples
This student created a comic, entitled “Chocolate,” with her spelling words for the week.

42. Advanced Academics in middle and high school
Part 3
Advanced Academics in middle and high school

43. The Middle School Honors Program
Designed to meet the needs of students with specific academic strengths in one or more of the four core subject areas.
Students experience an extended Program Of Studies at greater levels of depth and complexity.
At the middle school level, in addition to the center program, every middle school now offers Honors classes in the four core subject areas. Students may enroll in one, two, three, or four Honors classes.

44. International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP)
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) offers student-centered, holistic programs of international education that support FCPS student achievement goals for academics, essential life skills, and responsibility to the community.
The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) develops in grades 6-10 the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills they need to live, learn, and work in a rapidly globalizing world.
FCPS students may earn an FCPS MYP certificate for meeting the rigorous requirements.

45. International Baccalaureate
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
International perspective integral part of program
Full diploma includes IB courses in 6 subject areas, extended essay, Theory of Knowledge class, and 150 extra-curricular hours
Individual IB courses are offered at standard or higher levels may be taken
Widely accepted for college credit globally
Individual, rigorous college-level courses in most subject areas
Widely accepted at American universities
FCPS AP diploma awarded to students taking at least 5 AP courses on which they receive a 3 or better (out of 5)
Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology
Specialized learning environment for highly motivated students with a genuine interest and ability in science, mathematics, and technology. Admission is on a competitive basis. See website for more specific information about the admission process.

46. What does my child need to do to pursue advanced programs in high school?
Read, read, and read
Although advanced programs are open to all students, students who take these courses need to be motivated to learn
Study the first year of a world language and Algebra 1 before 9th grade (required by TJ, IB, and AP Calculus and AP World Language)
Determine first if your child is a candidate for an advanced academic program and choose the program that is the best for your individual student.
Visit TJ in October of the 8th grade year.

47. Part 4
Parent Resources

48. Online Parent Resources
Mosby Woods AAP website:
FCPS AAP Parent Resources:
2013 AAP Parent Conference Materials and Presentations: