Gifted Education

Dr. Joanne Jones, Executive Director Curriculum & Development
Student Advancement
(757) 283-7850

Dr. Kimberly Beckerdite, Supervisor
Gifted Services
(757) 591-4566

Tentative Evaluation Process for 2021-2022

The timing of referrals and the testing windows will differ from other years as we monitor and adjust with the trends created by COVID-19. Please keep in mind that these are tentative screening dates and are subject to change.

General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) Evaluation Process

SStudents in kindergarten through grade 12 may be referred for gifted services evaluation. Referrals may be submitted by a teacher, parent, school counselor, administrator, or student. Referrals should be submitted to the Gifted Services Department by emailing Kimberly Beckerdite, Supervisor of Gifted Services or calling 757-591-4566. Gifted site assignments are determined by a child’s mailing address. Parents are not permitted to select a gifted site.

  • Elementary students may only be referred and/or tested for General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) gifted services a total of three times (not including appeals) during their K-5 years. This includes the district mass screening in 2nd grade.
  • Middle school and High School students may be referred and screened for General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) gifted services twice (not including appeals).
  • Students previously identified as gifted in another school division must go through Newport News’ referral and identification process to determine possible eligibility for gifted services in the Newport News school division.
  • While referrals are accepted throughout the year, the 2021-2022 tentative referral windows for possible student placement in the gifted services program for 2022-2023 include:
    • 2nd grade Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT):  October district-wide Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) screening on October 11-15, 2021 at the individual schools with full evaluation including the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) for qualified students beginning on November 15-19, 2021.
    • 5th grade Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT): September referrals and NNAT screening on October 11-15, 2021 (paper) at the individual schools with full evaluation including the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) for qualified students beginning on November 15-19, 2021.
    • Kindergarten: January referrals and full evaluations with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) beginning on February 1-10, 2022 at individual schools. 
    • 1st grade: January referrals and full evaluations with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) beginning on February 11-18, 2022 at individual schools. 
    • Middle School:  February referrals and full evaluations with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) beginning on March 7-11 2022 at individual schools. 
    • 3rd and 4th grade:  February referrals and full evaluations with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) beginning on March 7-11 2022 at individual schools. 
    • The spring and summer testing dates will be offered at the Newport News Public Schools Administration Building.  Pre-registration for these test sessions is required.  Please call the Gifted Services Department at 757-591-4566 to schedule a test session.  The dates are:   
      • April 19, 2022
      • June 22, 2022
      • June 28, 2022
      • July 21, 2022
      • Additional dates may be added if needed
    • Transfer, military dependent, and new to the system students will be considered as soon as referred.

Gifted Evaluation Process for Kindergarten and First Grade Students

Referrals for kindergarten and first grade students are submitted in February to the Gifted Services Department. The Gifted Resource Teacher works with all kindergarten and first grade teachers to solicit referrals for gifted evaluation. Parents should contact their child’s teacher to request a gifted evaluation for their child.

Kindergarten and First Grade Gifted Evaluation Eligibility Criteria

  • teacher evaluation of a child’s gifted characteristics
  • parent evaluation of a child’s gifted characteristics
  • aptitude test
  • classroom performance
Parents are notified by letter of the final placement decision.

Gifted Evaluation Process for Second Grade Students

Second grade students in Newport News Public Schools are screened for possible placement in the Gifted Services program.  Students take an aptitude test to determine possible eligibility. These tests are given in the classroom during the regular school day.  Students who score above a certain level will continue the screening process and take another aptitude test at a later date that is part of the multiple criteria used for eligibility. Parents may opt their child out of the screening process.

Second Grade Gifted Evaluation Eligibility Criteria:

  • aptitude tests
  • teacher evaluation of student’s gifted characteristics
  • parent evaluation of child’s gifted characteristics
  • instructional level and performance of the student in the areas of reading, math, science and social studies (most recent grades)
  • other data as needed
Parents are notified by letter of the final placement decision.

Gifted Evaluation Referral Process

Students in third through grade 12 may be referred for gifted services evaluation. Referrals may be submitted by a teacher, parent, school counselor, administrator, or student. Referrals should be submitted to the Gifted Services Department by emailing Kimberly Beckerdite, Supervisor of Gifted Services, or calling (757) 591-4566.

Third through Twelfth Grade Gifted Evaluation Eligibility Criteria:

  • aptitude tests
  • teacher evaluation of student’s gifted characteristics
  • parent evaluation of child’s gifted characteristics
  • instructional level and performance of the student in the areas of reading, math, science and social studies (most recent grades)
  • other data as needed
Parents are notified by letter of the final placement decision.

Appeal Process

An eligibility or placement decision made by the eligibility committee may be appealed.

  1. The first required step in the Appeals Process is to speak to the Gifted Services Supervisor or a Gifted Services Department designee to discuss the decision.  Concerns can usually be resolved at this level.
  2. If not, the next step is to submit a letter including specific reasons for requesting an appeal.  This letter must be submitted to the Gifted Services Supervisor within 20 instructional days of the receipt of the original eligibility or placement decision.
  3. An appeals committee will be convened within 30 days of the receipt of the written request and will review all relevant information.  Members of the appeals committee may include the Gifted Services Supervisor, one or more Gifted Services staff members, an assessment specialist, classroom teachers, school counselors, and administrators.   Additional performance information may be collected by the committee.
  4. Parents/guardians will be notified by letter of the committee’s decision. 
  5. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Gifted Evaluation Referral Process for Private School, Homeschooled, Transfer, and New-to-the-system Students:

Private school students, homeschooled students, and other transfer students may be referred and tested, but the placement will not be valid until a Newport News address is available for the student and the student is properly enrolled in the division.

Guidance counselors/registrars review transfer student files upon enrollment. Students who have been identified as gifted in another school district will receive a referral for gifted services. All previous valid and reliable assessment data will be considered during eligibility along with current evidence gathered by NNPS Gifted Services Department.

Military transfer students will be considered immediately.
Transfer students will be screened upon arrive if referred for gifted services evaluation. Referrals may be submitted by a teacher, parent, school counselor, administrator, or student. Referrals should be submitted to the Gifted Services Department by emailing Kimberly Beckerdite, Supervisor of Gifted Services, or calling (757) 591-4566.

The Department of Gifted Services offers courtesy screening for private school, home schooled, and new-to-the-system students throughout the year. Parents of these students should call Gifted Services at 757-591-4566 to pre-register for a testing session. View additional information on upcoming private and homeschooled student testing sessions.

Gifted Evaluation Eligibility Criteria

  • aptitude tests
  • teacher evaluation of student’s gifted characteristics
  • parent evaluation of child’s gifted characteristics
  • instructional level and performance of the student in the areas of reading, math, science and social studies (most recent grades)
  • other data as needed
Parents are notified by letter of the final placement decision.