Implementing the Cost, Alignment, Sensitivity, and Access Criteria in Identification Systems: A Case Study of One District

• In Event: Assessment in Gifted Education

Abstract

Identification is one of the most controversial aspects of gifted education. Despite the search for “effective” identification systems, there are no agreed upon criteria on how to best evaluate identification systems. Using data from the 2019-2021 school years, we applied the CASA (cost, alignment, sensitivity, and access) criteria to evaluate the identification system for one school district. We used administrative data to conduct descriptive policy analyses to evaluate their gifted identification system. After assessing their baseline system, we found changes to combination rules, norming (i.e., building norms), and lowering cutoffs would help them optimize their identification system. We proposed alternate pathways that increased sensitivity, decreased cost, better aligned their policies to their program, and increased access for historically excluded groups.

Authors

• Lindsay Ellis Lee, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Tamra Stambaugh, Whitworth University
  Presenting Author

• Scott Joseph Peters, NWEA
  Presenting Author

• Matthew C. Makel, University of Calgary
  Presenting Author

• D. Betsy Mccoach, University of Connecticut
  Presenting Author

• Matthew McBee, Service Management Group
  Presenting Author

• Kiana R. Johnson, University of Minnesota
  Presenting Author