Identification Services FAQs and Forms

Q: When will my child be screened for AIG identification and what does that mean?

All students in grade 3 are universally screened using the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) in the spring. In addition, students who score above the 82nd percentile on their End-of-Grade (EOG) tests (in either Math or ELA) are given the NNAT in the fall of the following school year. Newly enrolled students in grades 4–8 are screened based on prior EOG scores or teacher referral.

Q: What if my child doesn't do well on the universal screener, or doesn't meet the criteria for a local screener?

Students may be referred for testing by a teacher, parent, or administrator at any point in the school year. While referrals are accepted year-round, they are typically reviewed after each benchmark window. The Gifted Rating Scale (GRS) may also be used to support identification when test scores don’t fully reflect a student’s potential.

Q: If my child is transferring from another district, will their AIG identification transfer with them?

Kannapolis City Schools honors AIG identification from other districts. However, service placement is based on local pathways and available programs and may differ from previous schools. Final decisions are made after reviewing standardized test results, NNAT scores, and teacher input.

Q: How does my child qualify for AIG identification in KCS?

Students qualify using a point scale, earning 1–14 points based on percentile scores starting at the 83rd percentile. Students need a total of 14 points in either aptitude and/or achievement (depending on area of service). Identification categories include:

• AIG (aptitude + achievement in both ELA and Math)
   
• AG (achievement only)
   
• AR (reading only)
   
• AM (math only)
   

IG (aptitude only)
Multiple pathways—including teacher ratings and talent development reviews—ensure equitable access.

What if I disagree with the identification or "non-identification" of my student? If you have concerns about your child's placement/non-placement in the KCS AIG Program, please refer to the District Grievance Policy for the stages of due process.

What options are available for advanced pre-school age children? If you believe your child is exhibiting above age-level knowledge and social skills on a consistent basis, early entrance to Kindergarten may be an option.  Review the KCS Policy on Early Entrance to Kindergarten for more information and contact the district AIG Coordinator to set up further communication.

Q: What services are available for my early elementary student?

Talent development begins in K–3 through intentional clustering, flexible grouping, and embedded enrichment. PETS may be used in whole-class or small-group intervention settings, but services are driven by classroom data, teacher observation, and collaboration with AIG-endorsed staff and instructional coaches.

Q: What services are available for my upper elementary student?

Students receive services through push-in, pull-out, and flexible grouping models. Both formally identified students and those in the top 20% of their peer group are supported with enrichment activities such as problem-based learning and interdisciplinary extensions. Placement is based on a learner profile and reviewed quarterly to ensure continued fit.

Q: What services are available for my middle school student?

Students are placed in Honors ELA and Math, or in high school credit-bearing courses (English I and/or Math I) in 8th grade based on AIG identification and performance data. These courses are taught by AIG-endorsed or certified teachers and include compacted, enriched content. AIG Specialists provide both direct instruction and consultative support.

Q: What services are available for my high school student?

High school students access services through Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Career & College Promise (CCP) dual enrollment, and other advanced opportunities like NCVPS courses. The AP Distinction Program provides a structured pathway for students seeking rigorous academics. CDM (Credit by Demonstrated Mastery) is also available for qualifying students.

Q: How does the district monitor identified students to ensure their differentiated educational needs are met? 

All students identified under the district AIG requirements are provided with a Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) to ensure academic pathways are tailored to their specific needs.  District staff maintain the data records in the student's DEP and parents, teachers, and students meet to review the student's DEP at transition years (identification year, transition between 5th and 6th grade, and transition between 8th and 9th grade).

Q: How are my student's needs differentiated for in the regular setting?

High-ability students (whether formally identified or not) are intentionally placed in cluster groups across all grade levels. A cluster group typically includes 4–10 advanced learners placed in a classroom with a teacher who holds AIG licensure or local endorsement. This ensures access to academic peers and differentiated instruction aligned with students’ strengths.

Flexible grouping is also used regularly within classrooms. These short-term groups are based on student performance, readiness, or mastery of specific skills and allow students to receive enrichment—even if they are not in a formal cluster placement.

Principals consider teacher training and certification when creating class rosters to ensure AIG and high-potential students are placed with staff best prepared to meet their needs. The AIG Coordinator and Specialists support teachers through PLCs, co-planning, and instructional modeling to promote meaningful differentiation.

What enrichment opportunities are available for my student outside of the regular classroom? If your student is looking for engaging experiences that attend to their individuals needs outside of the classroom, KCS has many clubs tailored to high-ability learners meant to foster their creativity and develop well-rounded students.  See the list below for options that are available at each academic level for your student.

Elementary School Level:
* Robotics/STEM (Students present final Robotics and STEM projects at the close of the school year.)

Middle School Level:
* Battle of the Books (Students compete annually in March.)
* NJHS (Students complete monthly service hours in the community and are required to maintain high academic and behavioral standards.)
* Art Club (Students develop products shared at local events and around the school and district.)
* Drama Club (Students develop products shared at local events and around the school.)

High School Level:
* NHS (Students complete monthly service hours in the community and are required to maintain high academic and behavioral standards.)
* Beta Club (Students complete monthly service hours in the community and are required to maintain high academic and behavioral standards.)
* Robotics (Students compete multiple times throughout the year.)
* Math Team (Students compete annually at Lenoir-Rhyne University.)
* High School Newspaper (Students collaborate to write articles that will be interesting to their peers.)

Current service learning opportunities include:

• AIG Holiday Event: Families of identified and talent development students donate, wrap, and organize gifts for children in need. Middle school AIG students deliver the gifts and participate in holiday-themed activities with the recipients.
   
• Special Olympics Partnership: Middle school students in National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) mentor and partner with Special Olympics athletes, collaborating in the classroom and supporting them during competitions.
   

In addition to these AIG-sponsored events, service learning is a key component of many clubs that AIG students often participate in, including NJHS, NHS, Juniorettes, and Beta Club, all of which require ongoing community service and leadership.

What events does the AIG Department offer for our family to participate in together?  The KCS AIG program believes in bringing families together for academic and community building opportunities.  See the list below to learn about our three academic family nights (Operation Christmas Child shared in the Service Learning FAQ is the other family event held by the KCS AIG Program).

* Rube Goldberg: The AIG Department holds an annual Rube Goldberg event for students and their families where participants use random materials to create a machine. A showcase of machines is held at the end of the event.

* Young Authors: Students in the AIG program are highly encouraged to participate in the state (fall) and local (spring) Young Authors writing competitions. Each writing competition has a presentation component (fall- Open Mic event at the local high school, and spring- presentation at the local board meeting and graduation ceremonies) to which families are also invited.

* Research Gala: Students in the AIG program complete End-of-Year research projects and come together (grades 3-8) to present projects in May. The EOY projects mirror senior project expectations.