Aurora Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools identifies students who acquire English at a rapid pace using a body of evidence including but not limited to ACCESS assessment, surveys from families and teachers, Home Language survey, classroom observations and performance, or the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).

ACCESS scores may be used as qualifying evidence through any one of the following: 

1) Accelerated Achievement (Proficiency Score): If a student increases his or her Literacy or Overall composite score by 2.0 or more from one year to the next (e.g., 1.0 to 3.0 or higher); or 

2) Accelerated Trajectory through ELD Program: If a student exits the EL program at an accelerated pace (e.g., 3 years vs. 6 years from newcomer to monitor status); or 

3) Growth Percentiles: If a student demonstrates growth at the 95th percentile or above in any year, and that growth shows a trend of sustained excellence. 

For additional guidance:

• Please visit the Colorado Department of Education's information on Using ACCESS for ELL's

• From the National Association for Gifted Children, please review their information on Identifying Children from Diverse Populations

• Please review the Profiles of Gifted English Language Learners

• Information to support Identifying and Supporting Gifted ELLs

• 6 Essential Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners