Effective Identification Through Multiple Criteria

Finding all the “gifted” students who would benefit from a gifted and talented service is a perpetual concern. In this article, we focus on how to effectively implement multiple criteria in identification. First, we provide some broad background before introducing three different ways to combine multiple data points (AND, OR, and MEAN) when identifying students for gifted services. Next, we discuss how effective use of combining multiple criteria—including using two-phase identification systems—contributes to schools saving time and money while also better identifying students. To do this, we use newly introduced criteria for evaluating gifted and talented identification systems. Finally, we provide several keys for success that can help schools accomplish their identification goals effectively.