Understanding the Aurora Quest Lottery
What is a School Lottery?
The admissions process for Aurora Quest K-8 is managed through a randomized lottery system to ensure a fair and equitable selection process when the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available seats.
How the Lottery Works
Honestly, no single person or committee decides which student is admitted to Aurora Quest.
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Qualification is the First Step: Students must first be formally identified as gifted and talented or high potential to earn a "seat" in the lottery drawing.
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The Drawing: Once all eligible applications are received, the lottery system randomly selects applicants for the available openings.
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Priority is Applied: As previously noted, in-district students are prioritized during this drawing, meaning they are selected before out-of-district students.
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Waitlist: Students who are not selected for an immediate opening will be placed on a randomized waitlist. Should a seat become available during the year, students will be offered admission in the order they were drawn from the waitlist.
In short, once a student is qualified, admission is determined by chance, not by individual review or selection.
Criteria for Gifted and Talented Identification
A robust body of evidence is used in the gifted identification process for applicants to 'pre-qualify' for a lottery spot. This evidence ensures a holistic look at the student's abilities.
Data Included in the Body of Evidence:
The body of evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following examples:
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Scores from a cognitive ability test (e.g., CogAT, NNAT, DAS, WISC, WPPSI).
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Recommendations from a parent or guardian, and a teacher.
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Report card information (if applicable).
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State assessment scores (if applicable).
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Performance-based measures.
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Student work samples, reflection, and questionnaire responses.
Evaluation Criteria for Identification:
The following criteria are used to evaluate the body of evidence and determine eligibility for formal gifted and talented identification:
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Cognitive Abilities: Evidence must show 'Far Above Average' to 'Superior' levels of cognitive abilities, typically indicated by a full-scale score at or above the 84th percentile on a gold-standard IQ test or approved cognitive assessment.
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Academic Achievement: Evidence must show Far Above Average to Superior levels of academic achievement, as indicated by assessment scores in reading and/or mathematics at or above the 84th percentile or scores that greatly exceed grade level expectations.
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Qualitative Information: Any qualitative information obtained throughout the process that speaks to the child’s superior abilities, talents, and their need for specialized programming to meet their educational needs.
What criteria are used to qualify multilingual students or students with Specialized Identification Paths?
1) Rapid English Language Acquisition (RELA)
If a child is identified for gifted services through the Rapid English Language Acquisition (RELA) process, their body of evidence will be reviewed based on the standards outlined in Colorado Department of Education (CDE) guidance.
2) Twice- or Multi-Exceptional Students (2e/3e)
For all applicants who are identified as twice-exceptional (2e) or multi-exceptional (3e) (students identified as gifted with disabilities), the body of evidence will also be reviewed based on the standards outlined in CDE guidance.
Per the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA), the body of evidence used for these students identifies their exceptionalities, including: